Academic IELTS Writing Course
In this course, we cover a range of tips designed to help you succeed in the IELTS Academic Writing section. Nearly all the lessons are specifically tailored to the Academic version of the IELTS.
Browse the lessons below — click any thumbnail to play the video right inside the card.
Module 1 — Complex Sentences
1. Transition Words: Addition
Add information without sounding repetitive — use furthermore, moreover, and in addition to extend an idea cleanly.
2. Transition Words: Contrast
Signal opposing ideas with however, whereas, and on the other hand to show balanced reasoning in Task 2 essays.
3. Transition Words: Cause and Effect
Use therefore, consequently, and as a result to make causal links explicit instead of leaving them implied.
4. Transition Words: Order and Sequence
Sequence your ideas with first, subsequently, and finally — useful for Task 1 process diagrams and structured essays.
5. Transition Words: Concession
Concede a counterpoint with although, even though, and despite without weakening your main argument.
6. Transition Words: Conclusion
Wrap up an essay smoothly with in conclusion, to sum up, and overall — and avoid the overused 'in a nutshell'.
7. Complex Sentences
Combine independent and dependent clauses to write the kind of grammatically rich sentences band 7+ requires.
Module 2 — Connecting Ideas
8. Coordinating Conjunctions
Master FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to join equal ideas with correct comma placement.
9. Subordinating Conjunctions
Use because, although, while, and since to add depth and show how ideas relate to each other.
10. Correlative Conjunctions
Pair conjunctions like both…and, either…or, and not only…but also for tighter, more parallel sentences.
11. Avoiding Run-on Sentences
Spot and fix comma splices and fused sentences — a common mistake that drops your grammar score.
12. Conjunctive Adverbs
Connect full sentences with however, therefore, and meanwhile using semicolons or full stops correctly.
Module 3 — Task 1: Describing Trends
13. Trends: Increase
Vocabulary for upward movement — rose sharply, climbed steadily, surged — with the right adverb-verb pairings.
14. Trends: Decrease
How to describe falling data accurately using fell, declined, and dropped without repeating the same verb.
15. Trends: Fluctuations
Talk about unstable data — fluctuated, oscillated, varied — and how to summarise the overall pattern.
16. Trends: Plateau
Phrase periods of stability with levelled off, remained stable, and stayed constant for clearer Task 1 reports.
17. Trends: Peaks and Troughs
Identify and describe high points and low points — reached a peak, hit a low, bottomed out — with precise language.
18. Useful Words for Describing Trends
A consolidated vocabulary toolkit of nouns, verbs, and adverbs you can re-use across any Task 1 chart question.
19. Task 1: Line Charts
Step-by-step approach to line graphs — what to compare, what to highlight, and how to structure the overview.
20. Task 1: Bar Charts
Strategy for grouped, stacked, and single bar charts — focus on the biggest contrasts and the strongest patterns.
21. Task 1: Pie Charts
How to compare proportions and percentages without listing every slice — pick the standouts and group the rest.
Module 4 — Task 2: Essay Writing Tips
22. Active vs. Passive Voice
When to use each voice — and why over-using passive constructions can flatten your writing and lower your score.
23. Grammar: Parallelism
Keep lists and comparisons grammatically consistent — a quick win for the grammatical range and accuracy criterion.
24. Grammar: Definite vs. Indefinite Articles
When to use a/an vs. the vs. no article — one of the most common error sources for non-native writers.
25. Task 2 Structures: Part 1
Essay templates for opinion and discussion questions — introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion mapped out.
26. Task 2 Structures: Part 2
Templates for problem/solution and two-part questions, plus tips on choosing the right structure for the prompt.
27. Task 2 Useful Words: Nouns
Topic-friendly nouns that lift lexical resource — think implications, ramifications, prerequisites.
28. Task 2 Useful Words: Adjectives (Part 1)
Precise adjectives to replace tired words like good, bad, big — beneficial, detrimental, substantial.
29. Task 2 Useful Words: Adjectives (Part 2)
More high-band adjectives for argument essays, with examples of how to slot them into Task 2 sentences.
30. Tips to Train for Writing
Practical training routine — what to write, how often, and how to self-assess so practice actually builds your score.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this free IELTS Academic Writing course, you’ll be able to:
- Use complex sentences, conjunctions, and natural transitions to lift your Grammatical Range and Accuracy score from band 6 to band 7 and beyond
- Describe trends, peaks, plateaus, and fluctuations in Task 1 line graphs, bar charts, and pie charts with the precise vocabulary IELTS examiners reward
- Choose the right essay structure for opinion, discussion, and problem-solution Task 2 questions — and build paragraphs that actually answer the prompt
- Replace overused words like good, bad, and big with high-band adjectives that demonstrate Lexical Resource
- Identify and fix the run-on sentences, article errors, and parallelism mistakes that quietly cap most candidates at band 6.5
Who This IELTS Academic Writing Course Is For
- University applicants targeting IELTS bands 6.5–8.0 for undergraduate or postgraduate admission
- Self-studiers who can’t afford private tuition but want a structured, progressive curriculum
- Repeat test-takers stuck on band 6.0 in Writing who need a clear path to band 7+
- Non-native English speakers preparing for visa, residency, or skilled-migration applications that require IELTS Academic
- Teachers and tutors looking for free supplementary material for their IELTS classes
If you’re sitting the General Training version of the test, the Task 2 lessons here still apply — but the Task 1 letter format is different. Use our IELTS General Writing Band 6 guide and the IELTS letter endings cheat sheet instead.
How to Study with This Free IELTS Course (4-Week Plan)
A study plan that has worked for our learners:
- Week 1 — Foundations (Modules 1 & 2): Watch the transition word and conjunction lessons. Practice writing 5 complex sentences a day. Read why IELTS Writing prep is different before you build the rest of your routine.
- Week 2 — Task 1 (Module 3): Master trend vocabulary first, then move to the chart-specific lessons. Pair with Task 1 vocabulary for trends and bar charts and the Task 1 map and process diagram guide to cover question types not in the videos.
- Week 3 — Task 2 (Module 4): Drill structures, learn the essay templates, and write one timed Task 2 essay every other day. Self-check with our IELTS writing grammar rules.
- Week 4 — Polish and simulate: Review common IELTS Academic Writing mistakes, memorize the band 7+ phrases for writing, and run two full Writing tests under exam conditions. Read these exam-day tips the night before.
Related IELTS Writing Resources
Pair these blog posts with the videos above:
- IELTS Writing Lab Android app — 560 Band 7+ vocabulary cards on Google Play, pairs with the Task 2 lessons above
- What Is a Good IELTS Score? — set your target band before you build a study plan
- IELTS Academic Writing Mistakes to Avoid — the errors most candidates repeat
- IELTS Band 7+ Phrases for Writing — high-band collocations and connectors
- IELTS Writing Grammar Rules — articles, tenses, and parallelism
- IELTS Task 1 Pie Chart Vocabulary — proportion phrases and overview templates that pair with Module 3
- IELTS Task 1 Vocabulary: Trends and Bar Charts — companion to the Module 3 trend videos
- IELTS Task 2 Discussion vs Opinion Essay — spot the prompt type and pick the right structure (Module 4)
- 3 Tricks to Boost Your IELTS Writing Score — quick wins
- Computer-Based vs Paper-Based IELTS Writing — pick the right format
- IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Test Is Right for You? — if you’re still deciding
Frequently Asked Questions About IELTS Academic Writing
How long is the IELTS Academic Writing test?
The Writing section is 60 minutes long. You should spend roughly 20 minutes on Task 1 (150-word minimum) and 40 minutes on Task 2 (250-word minimum). Task 2 carries about two-thirds of your Writing score, so prioritize it if you fall behind on time.
What’s the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training Writing?
In Academic, Task 1 asks you to describe data — line charts, bar charts, pie charts, tables, maps, or process diagrams. In General Training, Task 1 is a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal). Task 2 is an essay in both versions, with similar question types but slightly different topics. This course is built around the Academic format.
What word count do I need for IELTS Academic Writing?
Task 1 requires at least 150 words and Task 2 requires at least 250 words. Going under the limit costs you marks; going significantly over (350+ on Task 2) wastes time without raising your band. Aim for 170–190 words on Task 1 and 270–300 on Task 2.
How long does it take to improve from band 6 to band 7 in Writing?
Most candidates who study consistently — around 1 hour a day, 5 days a week — see a half-band improvement in 4–6 weeks and a full band in 2–3 months. The bottleneck is rarely vocabulary; it’s almost always grammar accuracy and task response. Get a tutor or AI to mark at least one full essay a week.
Is this IELTS Academic Writing course really free?
Yes. All 30 video lessons are free to watch on YouTube and embedded on this page at no cost. There’s no signup wall, free trial, or hidden upgrade.
What level of English do I need to start this course?
A solid CEFR B1 (lower-intermediate) is the minimum useful starting point — roughly an IELTS band 5. Below that, the grammar concepts will move too fast. If you’re below B1, build a base with general English first, then come back to the IELTS-specific lessons.
Can I prepare for IELTS Academic Writing in 30 days?
Yes — if you already write reasonably well in English (around band 5.5+). Realistically, 30 days of focused practice can lift you half a band. If you need a full band-and-a-half jump, plan for 8–12 weeks. See why deliberate practice beats volume for how to use the time well.
Ready to start? Scroll back to Module 1 — Complex Sentences and play the first video. Practice the technique on your own writing within 24 hours of watching — that’s the single biggest predictor of whether a lesson actually moves your score.