Irina Lutsenko: IELTS, writing, cohesion

⬆️ Case in point:

A student runs his IELTS report through Claude and gets 7777.

I run it through Gemini and get 9999.

That's how accurate IELTS assessment by AI is.

I don't think humans would disagree by this much.

"Irina, is #IELTS assessment by AI reliable?"

I personally think all IELTS assessment except one type is unreliable. 

AI, instructors, former examiners, examiners -- they are all unreliable, in my humble opinion. All scores by all these people (and machines) are just opinions that don't guarantee anything.

Think about this: If your score is changed after a remark, what does it mean? It means the original assessment -- assessment by a trained, paid examiner -- was wrong. If even this assessment can be unreliable, then how can assessment by people (or machines) who never got examiner trainining or who got it a decade ago be reliable? 

The only reliable IELTS assessment, in my humble opinion, is the assessment by a current senior examiner. 

In the face of this overall unreliability -- you are unlikely to have consistent access to senior examiner assessment -- I think it makes more sense to focus on skills, not scores. 

#IELTS: Two more things to absolutely never write in Writing Task 1  

Two more extreme "Never"s you can avoid and fix effortlessly. 

❌ Though the figure then declined a little, it recovered by the end of the period. 

✅ Although the figure then declined slightly, it recovered by the end of the period. 

1️⃣ NEVER write the short "though." Always write the full conjunction "although." 

2️⃣ NEVER write "a little." Always write "slightly" instead (or synonyms like "insignificantly"). 

Both "though" and "a little" are too informal for IELTS Writing (Academic).  

#IELTS: Two things to absolutely never write in Writing Task 1 

I don't like extremes like "never" or "always," but ... 

❌ The figure grew up till 2010. 

✅ The figure grew until 2010.

1️⃣ NEVER say "the figure grew up." Children grow up. Figures grow (as do numbers, percentages and the rest of the flock). 

2️⃣ NEVER use "till." Always use "until" instead of "till" in IELTS writing. Always. 

Six IELTS Writing groups started last week. 🤪

Do you want me to share IELTS-y things like explanations or common mistakes? ⬇️

A more colorful version of the task from the recent exam (shared above). ⬆️

Reconstructed by a student. Drawn by Anna Skopina -- the person behind all the creative images on my social media.

Do you think IELTS tasks should be more colorful? Or is "black and white" better for focus? ⬇️

#IELTS Task Response issues ⬆️⬆️⬆️

The IELTS essay topic above from a recent exam is a topic I often used as a speaking topic in my interviews to see if people might have Task Response issues in IELTS writing.

One common issue is only speaking about reasons related to one harmful activity. For example, "People consume fast food and sugary drinks because such foods and drinks are delicious." (Food is a common choice.)

But the topic is not specific to one activity. What about smoking? What about alcohol? What about screen time and excessive social media use?

You must come up with a reason that will encompass all of the activities above -- plus other, unnamed activities proven to be harmful by science.

Feel free to try your hand in the comments. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

SEPTEMBER 21

Part 1: The maps below show a housing estate as it is now and a plan for developing it in the
future.

Part 2: Science tell us which activities are good for our health and which ones are bad for us. Despite knowing this, million of people still do activities which are bad for them Why is this the case? What can be done to change it?

#writing
📩 @cdireport_admin
🔗 cdireport.t.me

Quiz ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Updated IELTS schedule:

1️⃣ Standard course, 10 months, 7.5+

- Tuesday 11--12:30 Moscow time

- Tuesday 13--14:30 Moscow time FULL

- Friday 11--12:30 Moscow time

2️⃣ Standard course, 7-8 months, below 7.5

- Saturday 9--10:30 Moscow time

3️⃣ Crash course, 2.5-3 months, 7.5

- Friday 14--15:30

4️⃣ Old students

- Year 3: Thursday 10--11:30 Moscow time

- Year 2: Thursday 12--13:30 Moscow time

❗️ One or two places left in most groups

How to sign up: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/740

💌 @iraluts

Two harsh truths about #IELTS writing you need to hear if you are aiming for 8+

1️⃣

With scores 8 and above, 0.5 differences are actually huge.

I know 0.5 looks like nothing. But climbing to each next +0.5 level can take years -- and that's OK.

And I mean years of work, not years of waiting for an enlightenment or hopping from tutor to tutor in search of life hacks. Especially if you other scores are not 9 either.

2️⃣

If you got a high score once, it does not necessarily mean you can repeat it.

You can get 8 today and 7.5 tomorrow. Tasks are different. Examiners are different. You are different. If you have a one-time score achievement, have some humility too.

If you are consistently getting the same high score and want to move higher, see point 1.

Finally, yes, exceptions exist. But they are rare. You might be it, but I suggest you assume you are not.

More harsh truths about IELTS? Share or ask in the comments. ⬇️

I am now on vacation in New York, a city I love dearly. 💜

But enrollments are open and in full swing.

If you wanted to join one of my courses, now is a good time to do the first two steps of the placement process.

I will be conducting the second round of interviews on 3 and 4 September. So if you do the writing part now and we meet next week, we'll be all set and ready to rock and roll the second week of September. 📅

More about my courses and schedules:
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/742

More about my enrollment process:
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/740

💌 Dm me @iraluts

AUGUST 26

Part 1: The diagram below illustrates the process of producing soft cheese.

Part 2: In some countries, cars replacing with bicycle, while some people driving bicycle with their own choice

What are the reasons of this development?
Which development is better?

Recent Writing Task 1

My answer (along with 10 other) is available in a one-time download:

https://boosty.to/irinalutsenko/posts/0ab73f9e-fa61-49f2-92e9-de8011bcbaee?isFromShowcase=true

My unique writing course "Writing with New Scientist" -- a writing course based on academic articles and geared towards exam writing but without the pressure. 

There are two tracks: IELTS track (essays) and C2 Proficiency track (essays, articles, reviews). 

📝 What will we do?
- read and discuss articles from the "New Scientist" magazine;
- work with lexis and sentence structures;
- work on cohesion, coherence, paraphrasing and all the things you need for a successful exam answer;
- you'll write an exam answer. 

The course duration is approximately 10 months. ❗️❗️❗️

A perfect pre- or post-exam course!

Schedules and levels:

📅 Levels C1+/C2

Course instructor: Irina Lutsenko

- IELTS track, new group: Friday 11-12:30 Moscow time
- IELTS track, old, advanced group: Wednesday 11-12:30 Moscow time
- C2 Proficiency track, new group: Wednesday 13:00-14:30 Moscow time 

📅 Level C1 / C1+

Course instructor: Anastasia Beisova

New groups, IELTS track

- Thursday 11:00-12:30 Moscow time
- Friday 13:00-14:30 Moscow time

1️⃣ More details about the course: 

https://m.vk.ru/product-47977221_5061302?ref_source=community_showcase

2️⃣ A full worksheet on one article (13 pages)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JJVxEWgLj8DFA9qb43ZLKUjReUNXrzNYpvB4D3eWhb0/edit?tab=t.0

3️⃣ A post on lexis from "New Scientist": how to paraphrase "vegan" https://t.me/irinalutsenko/654

4️⃣ A post on lexis from "New Scientist": how to write about throwing away broken things 
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/647 

5️⃣ A post with ideas from "New Scientist" on how to reduce fast food consumption 
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/645

An awesome course. Honestly. 💜

💌💌💌 @iraluts

My long, thorough skill-building and confidence-boosting IELTS writing courses -- my flagship courses.

📝 We will cover all types of IELTS writing tasks:

Writing Task 1:
- Line graphs
- Bar charts, pie charts, tables (with and without a time change, with numbers and with %)
- Processes (natural and industrial)
- Maps, floor plans
- Combinations of types, unusual tasks

Writing Task 2:
- To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
- Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
- What are the reasons for this? What are some ways this problem can be solved?
- Do you think it is a positive or a negative development?
- Advantages and disadvantages questions
- Unusual, two-part questions

📝 You will write 40-50 answers, and I will give written, detailed, personalized feedback on all of them -- from ideas to commas.

📝 Course duration:
- 4-5 months (can be adjusted for the exam date)
- 10 months (all courses 7.5+ are 10-month courses)

📝 Classes meet weekly in real time on Zoom. One class is 90 minutes.

📝 Price: 9400 rub a month (4 classes). Feedback included (at least one answer a week).

📝 Writing is a must!

💃 A little bit about IELTS and me:
- IELTS 9 x4, Writing 8.5 x3
- IELTS teaching experience: over 10 years
- A prolific IELTS writer myself, with 200+ answers under my belt.

📅 New groups Fall 2026, 7.5+. Course instructor Irina Lutsenko.
- Tuesday 11:00 MSK
- Tuesday 13:00 MSK

📅 My IELTS graduates: advanced groups for old students. Course instructor Irina Lutsenko.
- Thursday 10:00 Moscow time
- Thursday 12:00 Moscow time

📅 New groups below 7.5. Course instructor Anastasia A.
- Saturday 11:30 Moscow time (can be changed slightly)

📅 Other scores or schedules and one-to-one classes -- message me to ask.

💌 How to sign up

My thorough and arguably annoying enrollment process: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/740

When you message me, it's a good idea to answer the first two points.

💌💌💌 @iraluts

Rise and fall 📈📉

One of my favorite YouTube channels to listen to while I'm cooking or warming up before a run is "Rise and fall" by Michael Girdley.

And it's not just fascinating business stories. The videos contain a lot of #IELTS Writing Task 1 language too. The pattern "a whopping N%" is in every other video. And the business stories -- you can use them as a source of ideas or examples in IELTS Writing Task 2.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

1️⃣ The story of the rise and fall of Nike

https://youtu.be/SrsUlTtLLIM?is=UWVAYkCipUEq5Yu5

2️⃣ The story of the rise and fall of Craigslist

https://youtu.be/31oqfd8myBI?is=XBxJlAySVB2qeA0N

@iraluts

🍁 Fall 2026 groups and courses

🍁 Writing:

1. IELTS Writing

A long, thorough, meticulous, confidence-boosting skill-building course.

📅 Two new groups 7.5+

- Tuesday 11:00-12:30 Moscow time
- Tuesday 13:00-14:30 Moscow time

📅 Two groups for old students

- Thursday 10:00-11:30 Moscow time
- Thursday 12:00-13:30 Moscow time

📅 Groups for 6.5/7

- Saturday 11:30-13:00 Moscow time (can be changed slightly)

More: https://m.vk.com/product-47977221_3696544

2. Writing with New Scientist

A writing course based on articles from the "New Scientist" magazine and geared towards exam writing -- IELTS or C2 Proficiency (two different tracks). A perfect pre- or post-exam course!

📅 Levels C1+/C2

- Old group, IELTS track: Wednesday 11:00-12:30 Moscow time
- New group, C2 Proficiency track: Wednesday 13:00-14:30 Moscow time
- New group, IELTS track: Friday 11:00-12:30 Moscow time

📅 Level C1, new groups

- Thursday 11:00-12:30 Moscow time
- Friday 13:00-14:30 Moscow time

More:
https://m.vk.com/product-47977221_5061302

🍁 Speaking:

1. "Speaking with New Scientist"

A speaking course based on articles from the "New Scientist" magazine and geared towards some exam tasks but also good for those who have a penchant for deep, meaningful discussions. Very rich in lexis.

📅 Level C3
- Thursday, 14:00-15:30 Moscow time

📅 Levels C1+/C2
- Do you need a group? Drop me a line.

More: https://m.vk.com/product-47977221_5911089

2. "You Be The Judge: Debating with The Guardian"

A debate club based on dilemmas posed by The Guardian readers. A great boost to your speaking and argumentation skills! Rich in more casual lexis. No homework!

📅 Levels C1/C1+
- Tuesday 11:00-12:30 Moscow time
- Friday 11:00-12:30 Moscow time

More: https://m.vk.com/product-47977221_10315848

🍁 My secret C2 group

We do everything: speaking with New Scientist, writing with New Scientist, C2 Proficiency writing, creative writing, text analysis, stylistic devices, You Be The Judge dilemmas, stand-up comedy, chinwagging, roasting Irina... . We are a cozy old group -- we do whatever we want.

📅 Friday 16:00-17:30 Moscow time

🍁 One-to-one:

Available for IELTS below 7.5, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, and unusual or unique needs.

💌 How to sign up

My thorough and arguably annoying enrollment process: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/740

When you message me, it's a good idea to answer the first two points.

💌 @iraluts

Unleash your inner poet—join our poetry writing mini-course this August! 🦋

Poetry can be about anything, but this August we'll write about self, nature and poetry itself.  

Don't worry if you have never penned a poem yet—there will be plenty of helpful prompts to help you create your gems! 

This mini-course is for you if you want to:

- write and read some beautiful poems;

- spend Sunday afternoons with a bunch of creative people;

- have fun!

📅 Summer 2026:

- Sunday, 9, 16, 23 August, 11:00 am Moscow time

- All three sessions are different. You can join all three or just one, any one. 

🦋 Your host is the wonderful, positive, supportive, #creative Veronika Shirobokova.

💌 The project is free. To join, message me @iraluts with a creative ending to this sentence: "A good poem is like ... ." 

New groups will be starting in September, but some people are already messaging me to sign up.

I first thought, "I'm on vacation. No signing up, no no no." But then I thought, "Why not?"

I have a long placement process after all. We can save some time now, while I'm on vacation. So...

The enrollment process looks like this:

1️⃣ If your profile name is a nickname or an alias, please introduce yourself with your name and last name. My name is Irina Lutsenko - I want to know yours.

Nameless subscribers and people with nicknames or aliases won't be considered.

2️⃣ Tell me about yourself in 100 words or less.

Answer all or some of these questions as needed: What course do you want to join? Why? What are your goals and course expectations? What is your experience of learning English? What is your experience of writing? Have you taken any exams? What were you scores?

3️⃣ If you want to enroll in a writing course, I'll give you a placement writing task.

4️⃣ We'll schedule an interview.

If you already know what group you want to join, let's do steps 1-3 now and schedule interviews for after my vacation (week 17--22 August). 📅

And then we'll be all set to rock and roll in September. 🍁

The courses and schedules are available here: https://m.vk.ru/market-47977221 (Sorry, it's VK again. If you don't have VK, just ask me, but please please please write your first message with information from points 1 and 2 above.)

💌 @iraluts