In the last decade, there has been a great increase in the number and variety of online courses available to adults. This has been welcomed as a great opportunity by many students, however, other students see these courses as less effective than classroom teaching. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course?
Sample Response
In recent years, distance teaching and learning has become increasingly popular among the students and this is perceived differently by learners. Many students perceive this as a beneficial aid in learning while others think that they are not as much effective as classroom teaching. This essay will discuss about the merits and demerits of distant learning.
Studying an online course provides a flexible timing and less budgeted learning for students. They are able to learn their desire course and subjects on their suitable time. This gives a great opportunity for learners to gain new skills and strengthen their knowledge level staying in their own place. For instance, a Nepali student who wants an Australian degree in business management course does not have to stay in Australia, he can study online and complete course staying at his home. Hence, distant learning is economic and time saving.
However, online courses give more emphasis on the theoretical part of learning and there is less teacher and student interaction. It lacks the practical aspects of learning and encourage the passive learning. This is very obvious that students find it as a less effective learning than in the classroom. A recent study suggests that a greater number of students found classroom teaching far more effective than the distance learning.
In conclusion, the ever growing availability of online learning has gained its popularity among the young adults for many years, which is perceived as beneficial by many people while others find it to be less effective. The emphasis can be given to its effectiveness to establish it as the most cost effective learning than the classroom teaching.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Remove unnecessary article Original: among the students Suggested revision: among students Why it matters: The plural noun refers to students generally, so the definite article is unnecessary.
- 2. Use natural phrasing Original: a beneficial aid in learning Suggested revision: a beneficial way to learn Why it matters: This wording expresses the intended benefit more naturally.
- 3. Correct comparison form Original: not as much effective as Suggested revision: not as effective as Why it matters: The standard comparative pattern is 'not as + adjective + as'.
- 4. Remove incorrect preposition Original: discuss about Suggested revision: discuss Why it matters: The verb 'discuss' takes a direct object without 'about'.
- 5. Improve collocation Original: a flexible timing Suggested revision: flexible scheduling Why it matters: 'Flexible scheduling' is the natural expression for adaptable study times.
- 6. Use precise vocabulary Original: less budgeted learning Suggested revision: more affordable learning Why it matters: 'Affordable' accurately describes learning that costs less.
- 7. Correct word form Original: their desire course and subjects Suggested revision: their desired courses and subjects Why it matters: The adjective 'desired' and plural 'courses' are required in this context.
- 8. Correct time expression Original: on their suitable time Suggested revision: at times that suit them Why it matters: This revision uses the correct preposition and a natural relative clause.
- 9. Correct collocation Original: give Suggested revision: place Why it matters: The standard collocation is 'place emphasis on'.
- 10. Make wording concise Original: the theoretical part of learning Suggested revision: theoretical learning Why it matters: The shorter phrase conveys the same contrast more directly.
- 11. Clarify relationship Original: less teacher and student interaction Suggested revision: less interaction between teachers and students Why it matters: 'Between' clearly identifies the two groups involved in the interaction.
- 12. Remove unnecessary article Original: the practical aspects of learning Suggested revision: practical aspects of learning Why it matters: The plural noun is used generally here, so 'the' is unnecessary.
Suggested Rewrites
- among the students among students
- a beneficial aid in learning a beneficial way to learn
- not as much effective as not as effective as
- discuss about discuss
- a flexible timing flexible scheduling
- less budgeted learning more affordable learning
Why this response received Band 6.0
The response addresses both sides of online learning with a clear paragraph structure and a relevant example of studying abroad remotely. Its main limitation is persistent imprecision in grammar and word choice, which sometimes makes otherwise sensible ideas sound unnatural, while the disadvantages also need fuller explanation. Prioritise accurate sentence construction and natural collocations, then extend each main point with a specific consequence or illustration.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
Both advantages and disadvantages are relevantly addressed, though several points remain briefly or generally developed.
Explain the practical consequence of each benefit and drawback in more depth instead of relying on broad assertions.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response progresses logically through introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion, with generally clear paragraph purposes.
Use referencing and transitions more naturally within paragraphs and make the final recommendation connect clearly to the preceding discussion.
Lexical Resource
There is enough vocabulary to discuss education and costs, but frequent awkward collocations reduce precision and naturalness.
Replace combinations such as less budgeted learning and desire course with standard collocations such as lower-cost learning and desired course.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex structures communicates the main meaning, but agreement, article, preposition, and sentence-boundary errors recur.
Focus on subject-verb agreement and article use, and separate independent clauses correctly rather than joining them with commas.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
In the last decade, there has been a great increase in the number and variety of online courses available to adults. This has been welcomed as a great opportunity by many students, however, other students see these courses as less effective than classroom teaching. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.