Task 1

Spend 20 minutes on this task. Imagine you recently completed an online course and you want to tell the company about your experience. Write a letter to the course provider. In your letter, you should:

- Say what course you took and why you chose it.
- Explain what you liked about the course.
- Mention anything you think could be improved.
- Tell them whether or not you would recommend the course to other people, and why.
You should write at least 150 words.

Answers and Tips

Task 1

Band 5 Example Answer:

Dear Course Provider,

My name is Emily Johnson. I finished the Basic Photography course last week. I chose it because I like taking pictures and wanted to learn more.

I liked the videos in the course. They showed how to take good pictures. The teacher was nice and explained things well. I also liked the quizzes. They were fun and made me think.

But, the course website was slow sometimes. It was hard to watch videos when it was slow. And there were no notes to read after. Notes would help remember the lessons.

I would tell my friends about this course because it's good for beginners. But I would also say the website needs to be faster and have notes to read. That would make it better.

Thank you for the course.

Best,
Emily Johnson

Band 7 Example Answer:

Dear Course Provider,

I recently finished the Advanced Spanish Language course offered by your platform. I chose this course because I'm planning to move to Spain and wanted to improve my language skills.

I really enjoyed the interactive lessons and the way the course was set up. The videos were clear and the exercises helped me practice what I learned. The quizzes at the end of each chapter were great for testing my knowledge.

However, I think the course could be even better with more opportunities for speaking practice. Maybe you could add a feature that lets students talk to each other or to native speakers.

I would definitely recommend this course to others. It's well-organized and the content is very useful for someone looking to learn Spanish quickly. Just having more speaking practice would make it perfect.

Thank you for a great learning experience.

Best regards,
Alexandra Gibson

Band 9 Example Answer:

Dear Course Coordinator,

I recently concluded the Advanced Project Management course offered by your esteemed platform, selected to enhance my skills for professional growth. The comprehensive curriculum and the promise of flexibility for working professionals like myself were the main reasons for my choice.

I must commend the course content for its relevance and depth, covering contemporary project management methodologies with practical examples. The interactive modules, coupled with the insightful feedback from the instructors, made for an engaging learning experience. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of real-world case studies, which provided a valuable perspective on applying theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

However, I believe the course could benefit from a more diverse range of assessment methods. The reliance on multiple-choice quizzes seemed to limit the opportunity to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the topics. Incorporating project-based assignments or peer-reviewed exercises could enhance the application of learned concepts.

Despite this, I would not hesitate to recommend the course to colleagues and peers. The strengths of the course content and the expertise of the instructors outweigh the minor drawbacks in the assessment format. With some enhancements to the evaluation methods, I am confident that the course would stand unparalleled in its field.

Thank you for providing such a valuable learning resource, and I look forward to seeing how the course evolves in the future.

Warm regards,
Eleanor Rigby

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 1:

1. Enrolled (verb): This means you signed up or registered for the course.
2. Informative (adjective): If something is informative, it means it gives you a lot of useful information.
3. User-friendly (adjective): Something that is easy to use or understand.
4. Engaging (adjective): If the course keeps your attention and is interesting, it is engaging.
5. Constructive feedback (noun phrase): This is helpful advice on how to improve something.
6. Enhance (verb): To make something better or improve it.
7. Interactive elements (noun phrase): Parts of the course that you can take part in, like quizzes or discussions.
8. Course material (noun phrase): This includes all the information and resources used in the course.
9. Hands-on experience (noun phrase): Learning by actually doing things, not just reading or listening.
10. Flexibility (noun): When you can adapt or change easily, like choosing when to study.
11. Streamline (verb): To make something simpler or more efficient.
12. Recommend (verb): To suggest that someone should try or use something because it is good or useful.
13. Insights (noun): These are deep understandings or realizations about something.
14. Pacing (noun): The speed at which the course progresses.
15. Real-world application (noun phrase): How you can use what you learn in everyday life or work.

Tips:

1. Clearly state your purpose: Kick off your letter by mentioning the exact course you completed and the main reasons that led you to pick it. This helps the company know right away which course you're talking about and why it caught your eye.

2. Highlight the positives: Make a list of the things that you really enjoyed about the course. Maybe the videos were super interesting, or the quizzes were fun and challenging. Talk about these things to show what they did right.

3. Offer constructive feedback: If there was something that could be better, like maybe the homework was too easy or the website was tricky to use, let them know. Be nice about it, though – think of it as helping them make the course even more awesome.

4. Give your honest recommendation: Share your thoughts on whether you'd tell friends or family to take the course. If you would, tell the company why you think others would love it too. If not, explain why it might not be the best fit for everyone.

5. Wrap up with thanks and suggestions: End your letter by thanking the course provider for the experience and maybe suggest any new courses you'd like to see in the future. It's a nice way to say goodbye and show that you're excited to keep learning with them.

Task 2

Band 5 Example Answer:

Learning in a classroom with other students is good because we can talk to each other and help when someone doesn't understand. Teachers are there too, and they explain things we don't know. We can ask questions right away. Also, we can make friends and learn how to work in groups. Like when I was in school, we did projects together and it was fun. We learned from each other too.

Learning at home on the computer is good because you can go slow or fast as you want. If something is hard, you can watch a video many times until you get it. There is no noise from other students, so it's easier to focus. And you can learn even if you are far from school. My cousin, Emily, she learned how to cook from videos online. She didn't need a cooking class.

I think the best way to learn is in a classroom with other students. It's because when you are with others, you can learn more than just the lesson. You learn to talk to people and work together. That's important for jobs later. Also, teachers can see if you don't understand and help you. When I was learning English, my teacher helped me a lot because she saw I was confused. I couldn't get that help from a computer. So, I think learning with others is better.

Band 7 Example Answer:

Learning new things is a big part of life. Some people like to learn in a classroom with other students. Others like to learn alone on the computer at home. Both ways have good things about them.

In a classroom, you can make friends and learn together. It's nice to ask a teacher questions and get help right away. For example, my friend Maria learned to speak English in a class. She could practice talking with her classmates. They had fun and helped each other.

Learning alone on the computer is good too. You can go at your own speed. If something is hard, you can take more time. If it's easy, you can go faster. You can also pick what you want to learn. I learned how to make a website online. I watched videos and tried things until I got it.

I think the best way to learn is a mix of both. In a classroom, you get to be with people. That's important for things like talking and working in a team. But sometimes, you need to learn things not taught in school. That's when learning online is great. You can find anything on the internet.

For me, I like to start learning something new in a class. Then, when I want to know more, I look online. This way, I get the best of both worlds. I think it's good to be with people and also learn by yourself sometimes. It depends on what you're learning and what you like. Everyone is different, and that's okay.

Band 9 Example Answer:

The debate over the most effective learning environment is a multifaceted one, with compelling arguments for both collaborative classroom learning and solitary online study. Each method has its unique advantages that cater to different learning styles and preferences.

Classroom learning, with its traditional face-to-face interaction, offers a dynamic and engaging environment. The presence of fellow students fosters a sense of community and competition, which can be highly motivating. For instance, group discussions and debates are invaluable for developing critical thinking and communication skills. Moreover, the immediate feedback from peers and instructors helps to clarify doubts on the spot. A friend of mine, Emily, thrived in such a setting; she often mentioned how the lively classroom discussions helped her grasp complex concepts in history and politics.

On the other hand, learning alone online provides flexibility and personalization that the classroom sometimes lacks. With the vast resources available on the internet, learners can study at their own pace, revisiting difficult topics as needed. This self-directed approach is particularly beneficial for those who require more time to absorb information or who have scheduling constraints. As an example, during my preparation for the IELTS exam, I found online resources incredibly useful. I could practice listening exercises repeatedly and access a plethora of reading materials at any hour, which greatly improved my proficiency.

In my opinion, the best way to learn is a blend of both methods. The hybrid approach leverages the strengths of each, providing both structure and flexibility. For instance, attending classroom sessions for foundational knowledge and then supplementing with online resources for further exploration and practice could offer a comprehensive learning experience. This was the approach I took while learning French; the classroom provided the basics and interaction with the teacher, while online tools allowed me to practice pronunciation and listen to native speakers outside of school hours.

In conclusion, while both classroom and online learning have their merits, combining the two can create a more effective and well-rounded educational experience. It is this synergy of collective and individual learning that I believe constitutes the best approach to acquiring new knowledge and skills.

Useful expressions and vocabulary for Task 2:

1. Collaborative (adjective): This means working together with others to achieve something. When you learn in a classroom, you are being collaborative because you work with classmates and teachers.
2. Self-paced (adjective): This describes something you can do at your own speed. Learning online can often be self-paced, meaning you can take as much time as you need to understand something.
3. Interactive (adjective): Something that involves communication between people or things. Classrooms are interactive because you can ask questions and get answers right away.
4. Autonomous learning (noun phrase): This is when you teach yourself without much help from others. Learning alone online is an example of autonomous learning.
5. Peer support (noun phrase): Help that you get from other people who are learning the same things as you. In a classroom, you can get peer support from your classmates.
6. Engagement (noun): Being involved or interested in something. Teachers in a classroom try to increase student engagement by making lessons fun.
7. Distractions (noun): Things that take your attention away from what you're supposed to be doing. When you're learning at home, there might be more distractions, like a TV or a pet.
8. Resourceful (adjective): Being good at finding ways to solve problems. When you learn online, you often have to be resourceful and look for information yourself.
9. Networking (noun): Meeting and talking to other people who can help you with your career or studies. In a classroom, you can do networking by making friends with classmates and teachers.
10. Flexibility (noun): Being able to change easily according to the situation. Online learning offers flexibility because you can study anytime and anywhere you want.
11. Hands-on experience (noun phrase): Learning by actually doing things rather than just reading about them. In some classroom activities, like science labs, you get hands-on experience.
12. Customized learning (noun phrase): Education that is changed to suit your needs and interests. Online programs sometimes offer customized learning, so you can focus on what you like.
13. Feedback (noun): Advice or criticism about how you can improve. Teachers in a classroom give feedback on your work, which helps you learn.
14. Concentration (noun): The ability to think about something carefully or for a long time. When you learn alone, you might have better concentration because there are fewer people around.
15. Collaboration skills (noun phrase): The ability to work well with others. Learning in a classroom helps you develop collaboration skills, which are important for many jobs.

Tips:

1. Analyze both sides: Think about the good stuff of learning in a classroom, like making friends and getting help from the teacher. Then, think about the awesome things of learning online, like going at your own speed and having lots of information at your fingertips. You'll need to talk about both before picking the one you like best.

2. Make a list: Jot down the pros and cons of learning in a group and learning alone online. This will help you organize your thoughts and make sure you don't forget to mention something important in your essay.

3. Share personal experiences: If you've learned something in a classroom or online, tell a story about it. This makes your essay special because it's about you and what you've seen or done, and not just ideas from books or the internet.

4. Explain your choice: After you talk about both ways of learning, tell which one you think is best and give reasons why. Maybe you like classrooms because you learn more when you're with other people, or maybe you prefer learning online because you can wear pajamas while studying! Whatever your reason, make it clear.

5. Review your essay: Look over what you've written when you're done. Check that you've said good things about both ways of learning and that you've told the reader which one you think is the best and why. Fix any spelling mistakes or things that don't sound right. This will make your essay top-notch!