Irina Lutsenko

I want to share a great Writing Task 1 answer written by my former student Anna Skopina . The task is a process description from IELTS 16 Test 2 - making sugar from sugar cane.  With process descriptions, students usually have two problems: 1. The answer is either extremely short (= not fully developed) or extremely long (= with many irrelevant or even made-up details); 2. The description is mechanical and the stages are marked with same type of cohesive devices (first, then, in the next stage etc).  Anna's description is well-balanced and contains a range of cohesive devices, especially ones to indicates stages and sequences. Try to notice them as you read it.  ✽✽✽ The provided diagram gives information on the production of sugar, which is made from sugar cane. The process is divided into seven stages, including growing and harvesting sugar cane, extracting and purifying its juice, making syrup from the juice and, finally, separating sugar crystals from the syrup. The pr...

My thought exactly - how hard is it to drop a line to your teacher? To find out what the teacher goes through if you don't, read the post below - Alyona Vanina describes her thoughts and her feelings ever-so vividly (and I can totally relate). What would you answer, btw? This is yet another awesome post written in my " Write for Real: Blogging in English " course. Scroll down to find links to four more.  ✽✽✽ We all are people. People who have problems and in whose life accidents can happen all at once. But can it be considered as an excuse in teacher-student relationships?  See one curious example. There is a student who seems to be motivated to learn, determined to achieve his goals and is very cordial in communication. What is more, the-best-student-ever attends every class. You get on well with each other and your cooperative efforts bear fruits. The teacher sees the results of her work; the student, in turn, can be proud of his progress. Attention - the-best-student...