On this page, you will find all the information regarding Correction Pass Plus for IELTS & TOEFL on Leila's Writing Lab.

1. What is the IELTS writing test?

2. What is the TOEFL writing test?

3. What does 'correction / feedback' mean?

4. What is audio - recorded correction Pass Plus and how can it help me to aim for IELST band score 9 or TOEFL score 120?

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1. What is the IELTS writing test?

IELTS stands for International English Language Test System. It is a test that you have to take in order to prove fluency and accuracy in your overall level of English. There are 4 parts to the test, Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.

The IELTS writing test consists of 2 types, Academic and General Training. The first is for candidates who wish to apply for a place to study at university or to work professionally in an English speaking environment. The second,   General Training, is for candidates who wish to apply for an immigration visa. Both Academic and General Training IELTS writing tests consist of 2 tasks. In the first task (Academic), you have to look at data or a diagram in the question and write a report or analyze the data. For this, you have  to write between 160 to 180 words in 20 minutes. The first task for General Training IELTS writing requires you to write a letter requesting information or to solve a problem.  The second writing task, which is the same for the General Training and the Academic tests, requires you to respond in an essay to a point of view, argument or a problem. For this, you must write between 260 and 280 words in 40 minute. Both the first and second tasks have to be written in a formal manner.

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2. What is the TOEFL writing test?

Similar to the IELTS, the TOEFL test is meant to assess your overall fluency and accuracy use of English. TOEFL stands for Test Of English for Foreign Language learners. Like the IELTS, the TOEFL test is based on 4 skills, reading, writing, listening and speaking.

TOEFL writing has 2 tasks. The first is called the Integrated Writing task. In this task, candidates read a short passage on a topic during a period of 3 minutes. Then they have to listen to a lecture on the same topic (the lecture either agrees or casts doubt on the reading passage, around 2 - 3 minutes long). Once the candidates have read and listened to the information, they have to write their own essay explaining how the listening section supports or casts doubt on the reading passage. For this, candidates have to write between 150 to 225 words in 20 minutes.

Task 2 of TOEFL writing, requires candidates to write an essay on a given topic and explain their opinion as well as give examples. They must write at least 300 words in 30 minutes.

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3. What does 'correction / feedback' mean?

Correction / feedback means when an instructor or teacher corrects a student's writing and explains which parts of the writing are good and which parts need to be altered / improved to accurately correct any mistakes. The sign of good correction / feedback is when the instructor / teacher informs the student of why their mistakes are wrong and how to correct them effectively.

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4. What is audio - recorded correction Pass Plus?

Leila's Writing Lab offers Pass as well as Pass Plus correction. The Pass Plus service, is for students who want to achieve a high band score 8-9 in IELTS or 100-120 in TOEFL. In the Pass Plus correction, the student will be given complete and detailed feedback on which areas of the writing have been well-written and which areas need to be improved. However, in addition, my comments and tutorials are designed to teach all the writing tools that are necessary for the student to achieve a high score, such as advanced vocabulary, specific writing techniques, good command of grammar, as well as writing fluently and accurately according to the IELTS / TOEFL marking scheme. Examiners for the IELTS and TOEFL writing look for signs of excellent communication, which includes advanced and sophisticated use of vocabulary. This means that the student should illustrate a very wide range of vocabulary, have complete control of the language and be able to make their intention clear to the reader. Another aspect of writing that can earn the student a top score is the use of excellent writing techniques. Such techniques are mainly used by native English speakers and those who are very advanced in their level of English. The Pass Plus will include such advanced writing.

As well as the above, examiners look for simple as well as complex grammar structures in sentences, i.e. the use of conjunctions in sentences, mixed conditionals and many other structures. Finally, to get a vey high score, the examiners want to see a good level of accuracy and fluency in the student's writing. Accuracy, means the accurate and appropriate use of vocabulary and grammar. Fluency, means how well the student can express their intention in the context of their writing. All of the above are writing tools that here at Leila's Writing Lab I provide for students requesting the Pass Plus.

The feedback I give at Leila's Writing Lab is audio - recorded. To see how I give feedback and correct students' written work, click here. This means that when I give feedback on the student's writing, I do so by verbally explaining which parts of the writing are incorrect, why they are incorrect and how to correct them. I have used this technique over many years and have seen that when students read and listen to information at the same time, they learn a lot more than just reading information. All of my current and previous students prefer this technique to any other correction service that they have received in the past. They believe that it really helps them to hear a friendly voice giving ample explanations and examples on their writing and teaching them the techniques to achieve a much higher score.