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Yet another year with fluctuating fortunes... Still, I kept spreading my love for writing and empowering people to write. 💜
So, in 2025, I
- ... made two presentations at MISIS University Conference in Moscow - again. And again - absolutely wonderful, warm, welcoming audience!
- ... was a guest on a podcast with the wonderful Maria Polukhina! Watch here: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/556
- ... got my third #IELTS 9! Curiously, for the test I took back in 2024. This year, IELTS suddenly admitted to their global screw-up. My reading score was changed from 8.5 to 9, leading to an overall 9.
- ... contributed nine #IELTS writing sample answers to a free pdf collection with about 100 answers. Available completely free of charge here: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/551
- ... took a course on Writing Pedagogy with an American instructor and tried to improve my feedback-giving skills (admittedly, my weakness).
- ... conducted a workshop on creative writing at a conference by the Moscow State University!
- ... wrote another 3000-word story (my fourth one) in my "Creative Writing Bootcamp" project. Couldn't have done it without my creative team, which has grown in different senses of the word.
- ... continued the short story reading club "Small Stories Big Ideas" - our short stories do deserve a reader. Hosted by the one and only Irina Kireeva - an avid reader, a professional book club host, and a source of all my reading for pleasure.
- ... continued spreading the passion for writing with free projects: "Creative Writing Club," "Writing Incubator," and "Poetry Writing mini-course." These projects are mostly done by my like-minded writing fans who are happy to share their passion too: Veronika Shirobokova, Alena Nikitina, Evgenia Karabatova, Elizaveta Zanozina, Maria Botina, Svetlana Kukharevich. 💜
I couldn't have done so much - and so meaningfully - without the people mentioned and many others helping behind the scenes. My unending gratitude to every single person who contributed and supported us! 🩷
And, of course, the wonderful New Year image is by the wonderful Anna Skopina - the artist behind all my visuals and illustrations over the last years. 🧡
So, in 2025, I
- ... made two presentations at MISIS University Conference in Moscow - again. And again - absolutely wonderful, warm, welcoming audience!
- ... was a guest on a podcast with the wonderful Maria Polukhina! Watch here: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/556
- ... got my third #IELTS 9! Curiously, for the test I took back in 2024. This year, IELTS suddenly admitted to their global screw-up. My reading score was changed from 8.5 to 9, leading to an overall 9.
- ... contributed nine #IELTS writing sample answers to a free pdf collection with about 100 answers. Available completely free of charge here: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/551
- ... took a course on Writing Pedagogy with an American instructor and tried to improve my feedback-giving skills (admittedly, my weakness).
- ... conducted a workshop on creative writing at a conference by the Moscow State University!
- ... wrote another 3000-word story (my fourth one) in my "Creative Writing Bootcamp" project. Couldn't have done it without my creative team, which has grown in different senses of the word.
- ... continued the short story reading club "Small Stories Big Ideas" - our short stories do deserve a reader. Hosted by the one and only Irina Kireeva - an avid reader, a professional book club host, and a source of all my reading for pleasure.
- ... continued spreading the passion for writing with free projects: "Creative Writing Club," "Writing Incubator," and "Poetry Writing mini-course." These projects are mostly done by my like-minded writing fans who are happy to share their passion too: Veronika Shirobokova, Alena Nikitina, Evgenia Karabatova, Elizaveta Zanozina, Maria Botina, Svetlana Kukharevich. 💜
I couldn't have done so much - and so meaningfully - without the people mentioned and many others helping behind the scenes. My unending gratitude to every single person who contributed and supported us! 🩷
And, of course, the wonderful New Year image is by the wonderful Anna Skopina - the artist behind all my visuals and illustrations over the last years. 🧡
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The winter season of my legendary Creative Writing Club! ⛄️
It’s perfect for people who want to unleash their creativity and have fun writing in English.
⛄️ Here is how it works:
- I prepare inspiring creative writing prompts and exercises;
- We meet on Zoom for some pre-writing practice;
- We write on our own over the following five days;
- We share and review each other’s works on a collaborative Google doc;
- We meet again, and the cycle is repeated.
⛄️ The nuts and bolts:
- There will be four sessions meeting weekly on Sundays, 11 January - 1 February, 11 am Moscow time. One session is around 45 minutes.
- Not participating in online sessions is OK as long as you keep in touch, write, and review other people’s work in time.
- If you join, you have to write one work and review one participant’s work every week.
- The project is free, but if you don’t write or review other people’s work by the deadline, you’ll have to leave. Ghost-like behavior is not welcome.
- Our project chat will be on Telegram.
💌 To join, message me @iraluts with a creative ending to the phrase "The taste of cappuccino turned black like ... in my mouth." If your answer is creative, you’re in.
💌 When you message me, please introduce yourself properly, 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 admitted.
❗️ This is an AI-free zone. Human writing only.
❗️ This project is in no way helpful in IELTS prep. If anything, it might be detrimental.
It’s perfect for people who want to unleash their creativity and have fun writing in English.
- I prepare inspiring creative writing prompts and exercises;
- We meet on Zoom for some pre-writing practice;
- We write on our own over the following five days;
- We share and review each other’s works on a collaborative Google doc;
- We meet again, and the cycle is repeated.
- There will be four sessions meeting weekly on Sundays, 11 January - 1 February, 11 am Moscow time. One session is around 45 minutes.
- Not participating in online sessions is OK as long as you keep in touch, write, and review other people’s work in time.
- If you join, you have to write one work and review one participant’s work every week.
- The project is free, but if you don’t write or review other people’s work by the deadline, you’ll have to leave. Ghost-like behavior is not welcome.
- Our project chat will be on Telegram.
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The overview is the most important part of your #IELTS Writing Task 1 answer.
How do you write a good one?
In this practical workshop, you will learn how to nail your overview for all types of IELTS Academic tasks:
- tasks with figures (with and without a time change);
- tasks with combinations of charts;
- maps and floor plans;
- processes.
What will happen in this workshop?
- You will get my list of questions that help you choose the key features for each task type;
- We will look at my examples and discuss how I chose the key features;
- You'll write 15+ overviews - and compare them with mine afterwards.
The workshop is based on my extensive IELTS taking, teaching, and writing experience:
- IELTS 9 x3, Writing 8.5 x3
- IELTS prep experience: over 10 years
- IELTS answers written: over 200
Important: This is not a webinar. This is a practical workshop where you are expected to write. Please join with your camera on and from a good work station.
📌 Price: 2500 RUB
📅 Winter 2026:
- Saturday, 10 January, 13-14:30 Moscow time
📍 Place: in real time on Zoom, camera must be on, some participation is expected
❗ You will get the pdf of the presentation, but there will be no recordings!
Why don't I record my workshops?
I believe participation without recording ensures a safe space for attendees to participate openly and without fear of asking questions or making mistakes. (And don't get me started on potential privacy concerns of the participants.)
💌 💌 💌 @iraluts
How do you write a good one?
In this practical workshop, you will learn how to nail your overview for all types of IELTS Academic tasks:
- tasks with figures (with and without a time change);
- tasks with combinations of charts;
- maps and floor plans;
- processes.
What will happen in this workshop?
- You will get my list of questions that help you choose the key features for each task type;
- We will look at my examples and discuss how I chose the key features;
- You'll write 15+ overviews - and compare them with mine afterwards.
The workshop is based on my extensive IELTS taking, teaching, and writing experience:
- IELTS 9 x3, Writing 8.5 x3
- IELTS prep experience: over 10 years
- IELTS answers written: over 200
Important: This is not a webinar. This is a practical workshop where you are expected to write. Please join with your camera on and from a good work station.
📌 Price: 2500 RUB
📅 Winter 2026:
- Saturday, 10 January, 13-14:30 Moscow time
📍 Place: in real time on Zoom, camera must be on, some participation is expected
❗ You will get the pdf of the presentation, but there will be no recordings!
Why don't I record my workshops?
I believe participation without recording ensures a safe space for attendees to participate openly and without fear of asking questions or making mistakes. (And don't get me started on potential privacy concerns of the participants.)
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A workshop for #IELTS instructors on how to make the most of IELTS model answers (both W1 and W2)
Giving students IELTS model answers is certainly a great idea, but you can't just hand them the answers and say, "Look. These are good. Do the same thing." You need to make sure the model answers help your student develop their skills and prepare them for the test.
In this workshop, I'll share a whole host of meaningful activities you as an instructor can do with model answers. Each activity is aimed at a certain goal and and tailored to a specific task and/or assessment criterion.
All the activities are based on my extensive IELTS taking, teaching, and writing experience:
- IELTS 9 x3, Writing 8.5 x3
- IELTS prep experience: over 10 years
- IELTS answers written: over 200.
📌 Price: 2500 RUB
📅 Winter 2026:
- Sunday, 11 January, 13-14:30 Moscow time
📍 Place: in real time on Zoom, camera must be on, some participation is expected
❗ You will get the pdf of the presentation, but there will be no recordings!
Why don't I record my sessions?
I believe participation without recording ensures a safe space for attendees to participate openly and without the fear of asking questions or making mistakes. (And don't get me started on potential privacy concerns of the participants.)
💌 💌 💌 @iraluts
Giving students IELTS model answers is certainly a great idea, but you can't just hand them the answers and say, "Look. These are good. Do the same thing." You need to make sure the model answers help your student develop their skills and prepare them for the test.
In this workshop, I'll share a whole host of meaningful activities you as an instructor can do with model answers. Each activity is aimed at a certain goal and and tailored to a specific task and/or assessment criterion.
All the activities are based on my extensive IELTS taking, teaching, and writing experience:
- IELTS 9 x3, Writing 8.5 x3
- IELTS prep experience: over 10 years
- IELTS answers written: over 200.
📌 Price: 2500 RUB
📅 Winter 2026:
- Sunday, 11 January, 13-14:30 Moscow time
📍 Place: in real time on Zoom, camera must be on, some participation is expected
❗ You will get the pdf of the presentation, but there will be no recordings!
Why don't I record my sessions?
I believe participation without recording ensures a safe space for attendees to participate openly and without the fear of asking questions or making mistakes. (And don't get me started on potential privacy concerns of the participants.)
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#IELTS Writing Task 1: Top ten most useful posts on the channel in 2025 💡
1️⃣ Writing about the pesky category "other," which is very common in IELTS Writing Task 1: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/624
2️⃣ Avoiding repetitions with the help of ellipsis, not synonyms: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/619
3️⃣ My full answer for the super-challenging task (imho) about two emergency exits in a residence hall: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/618
4️⃣ Word count: Do your words add meaning, or are they useless clutter? https://t.me/irinalutsenko/586
5️⃣ What exactly mistakes in each assessment criterion (TA, CC, LR, GR) look like: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/582
6️⃣ Ways to write "salary" in tasks about salaries (forget "wages"!) https://t.me/irinalutsenko/559
7️⃣ My eye surgery as an IELTS Writing Task 1 process description (Who knows what IELTS will come up with one day? My description is a valid IELTS answer!) https://t.me/irinalutsenko/530
8️⃣ Language for writing about exceptions, e.g. when three categories showed a rise, but one saw a fall: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/516
9️⃣ Lexis for the super-challenging task comparing two types of fishing industries:
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/503
1️⃣ 0️⃣ Great sample answer by a student about citrus fruit exports: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/501
Which one was the most useful one? Any other struggles in task 1? Share in comments.❤️
#ieltswritingtask1
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/503
Which one was the most useful one? Any other struggles in task 1? Share in comments.
#ieltswritingtask1
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#IELTS Writing Task 2: Top ten most useful posts on the channel in 2025
1️⃣ Good lexis and my paragraph for this topic:
In education and employment, some people work harder than others. Why do some people work harder than others? Is it always a good thing to work hard?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/623
2️⃣ How to recycle the same argument for different essay topics:
- Some people believe that it is best to encourage children to have a healthy diet at school while others believe that parents should be the ones to teach children to have a healthy diet. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Some believe that it is parents who should teach their children to recycle waste while others feel schools are more responsible. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/597
3️⃣ Task Response: a valid argument or useless clutter?
Topic: In some parts of the world, many famous people are regarded as ‘role models’ and they are having an increasing influence on the young. Is that a positive or negative development?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/562
4️⃣ Over-explaining, under-explaining and balance
Topic: In some parts of the world, many famous people are regarded as ‘role models’ and they are having an increasing influence on the young. Is that a positive or negative development?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/554
5️⃣ Simplicity or complexity?
Topic: It is the responsibility of schools to teach children good behavior in addition to providing formal education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/548
6️⃣ A great introduction technique
Topic: Some people choose to have their first child at an older age. What are the reasons? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/537
7️⃣ My full answer on this somewhat challenging topic about art
Topic: In today’s world of advanced science and technology, many still greatly value artists such as musicians, painters and writers. What can the arts tell us about life that science cannot?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/524
8️⃣ Repetition or development?
Topic: The numbers of plants and animals is decreasing in most countries. Why is this happening? What can be done about it?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/514
9️⃣ Staying on topic
Topic: Many students find it harder to study when they are at university or college than when they were at school. Why is this? What can be done to solve the problem?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/512
1️⃣ 0️⃣ My rewrite of a student's paragraph
Topic: More and more people say that they do not feel safe when they leave home. Why is this? What could be done to address this issue?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/508
Which one was the most useful one? Any other struggles with task 2? Share in the comments.🐸
#ieltswritingtask2
In education and employment, some people work harder than others. Why do some people work harder than others? Is it always a good thing to work hard?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/623
- Some people believe that it is best to encourage children to have a healthy diet at school while others believe that parents should be the ones to teach children to have a healthy diet. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
- Some believe that it is parents who should teach their children to recycle waste while others feel schools are more responsible. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/597
Topic: In some parts of the world, many famous people are regarded as ‘role models’ and they are having an increasing influence on the young. Is that a positive or negative development?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/562
Topic: In some parts of the world, many famous people are regarded as ‘role models’ and they are having an increasing influence on the young. Is that a positive or negative development?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/554
Topic: It is the responsibility of schools to teach children good behavior in addition to providing formal education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/548
Topic: Some people choose to have their first child at an older age. What are the reasons? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/537
Topic: In today’s world of advanced science and technology, many still greatly value artists such as musicians, painters and writers. What can the arts tell us about life that science cannot?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/524
Topic: The numbers of plants and animals is decreasing in most countries. Why is this happening? What can be done about it?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/514
Topic: Many students find it harder to study when they are at university or college than when they were at school. Why is this? What can be done to solve the problem?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/512
Topic: More and more people say that they do not feel safe when they leave home. Why is this? What could be done to address this issue?
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/508
Which one was the most useful one? Any other struggles with task 2? Share in the comments.
#ieltswritingtask2
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Missing word? 💡
"The decline in the share of older U.S. adults living alone since 1990 is entirely due to a decrease among older women. [_?_] 2023, 31% of women ages 65 and older lived alone, down from 38% in 1990." (Source: Pew Research)
"The decline in the share of older U.S. adults living alone since 1990 is entirely due to a decrease among older women. [_?_] 2023, 31% of women ages 65 and older lived alone, down from 38% in 1990." (Source: Pew Research)
Anonymous Quiz
54%
As of
10%
Dated
6%
Of late
5%
Per
25%
Regarding
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"I don't have any ideas..." is what I often hear from #IELTS candidates.
And no wonder. Some IELTS writing topics are not exactly what you talk about in your daily life. But where do ideas come from? From input.
My "input" of choice is New Scientist. Look at this short paragraph:
"Nevertheless, Hall's results have already stimulated action. Soon after the study came out, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization published a report calling the trial a "solid link" between ultra-processed foods and ill health, and calling for a raft of measures to reduce their consumption, including food labelling, advertising bans and junk food taxes on such products at the point of sale."
You have three solid ideas for an IELTS essay about reducing junk food consumption:
- food labelling
- advertising bans
- junk food taxes.
And it's just one tiny paragraph!
I have designed a whole writing course based on New Scientist articles and geared towards IELTS essay writing. Launching two new groups soon:
📅 Friday 11-12:30 Moscow time
Level C1+/C2, course instructor Irina Lutsenko
📅 Saturday 11:30-13:00 Moscow time
Level C1, course instructor Anastasia Beisova
More details and student testimonials (sorry, it's VK again):
https://vk.com/market/product/writing-with-new-scientist-47977221-5061302
💌 💌 💌 @iraluts
And no wonder. Some IELTS writing topics are not exactly what you talk about in your daily life. But where do ideas come from? From input.
My "input" of choice is New Scientist. Look at this short paragraph:
"Nevertheless, Hall's results have already stimulated action. Soon after the study came out, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization published a report calling the trial a "solid link" between ultra-processed foods and ill health, and calling for a raft of measures to reduce their consumption, including food labelling, advertising bans and junk food taxes on such products at the point of sale."
You have three solid ideas for an IELTS essay about reducing junk food consumption:
- food labelling
- advertising bans
- junk food taxes.
And it's just one tiny paragraph!
I have designed a whole writing course based on New Scientist articles and geared towards IELTS essay writing. Launching two new groups soon:
📅 Friday 11-12:30 Moscow time
Level C1+/C2, course instructor Irina Lutsenko
📅 Saturday 11:30-13:00 Moscow time
Level C1, course instructor Anastasia Beisova
More details and student testimonials (sorry, it's VK again):
https://vk.com/market/product/writing-with-new-scientist-47977221-5061302
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#IELTS Writing Task 2: progression right from the introduction
Just like many of my posts, this one is based on a common weakness I see.
I'll take a ridiculous made-up topic for illustration purposes.
"Some people believe apples are the best fruit. Others say that tangerines are better. Discuss both these views and dove your own opinion."
1. Weak
"Opinions are divided on whether apples or tangerines are the best fruit. While there are those who consider the apple to be the superior fruit, I side with those who claim that it is the tangerine.
Yet, admittedly, the apple might be considered the best fruit by some. ... "
This introduction is spinning wheels: it is repeating the same thing over and over again. Yes, there are no mistakes in it, but it shows no skill - so it's likely to place you in the lower score pile.
2. Stronger
"Opinions are divided on what the best fruit is. While some consider the apple to be one, I side with those who believe the tangerine is better.
The proponents of apples might cite their sweet taste as the reason for the superiority. ... "
This essay is progressing - it's moving forward with every sentence.
Help your essay move in three simple steps:
1️⃣ take one step back
2️⃣ state the actual topic
3️⃣ take one step forward
Or, in other words, tell the reader something new with every step you take.
💡 The bonus part of this technique is that it allows you to avoid repetitions naturally . With the weaker structure, you will end up using all the possible synonyms in the first three sentences and then end up either with repetitions or with awkward phrasing later on.
Try out this technique in the comments with this topic and then compare with my version by checking out the IELTS collection in the post below.
"Some people believe that children that commit crimes should be punished. Others think the parents should be punished instead. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
🐸 https://t.me/irinalutsenko/551
#ieltswritingtask2
Just like many of my posts, this one is based on a common weakness I see.
I'll take a ridiculous made-up topic for illustration purposes.
"Some people believe apples are the best fruit. Others say that tangerines are better. Discuss both these views and dove your own opinion."
1. Weak
"Opinions are divided on whether apples or tangerines are the best fruit. While there are those who consider the apple to be the superior fruit, I side with those who claim that it is the tangerine.
Yet, admittedly, the apple might be considered the best fruit by some. ... "
This introduction is spinning wheels: it is repeating the same thing over and over again. Yes, there are no mistakes in it, but it shows no skill - so it's likely to place you in the lower score pile.
2. Stronger
"Opinions are divided on what the best fruit is. While some consider the apple to be one, I side with those who believe the tangerine is better.
The proponents of apples might cite their sweet taste as the reason for the superiority. ... "
This essay is progressing - it's moving forward with every sentence.
Help your essay move in three simple steps:
Or, in other words, tell the reader something new with every step you take.
Try out this technique in the comments with this topic and then compare with my version by checking out the IELTS collection in the post below.
"Some people believe that children that commit crimes should be punished. Others think the parents should be punished instead. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
#ieltswritingtask2
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"My language is too simple. What can I do?" is another problem I hear from #IELTS students.
Indeed, when we learn English, we typically focus on common everyday expressions rather than on formal, academic words. And then, when we have to write an IELTS essay, we don't have academic language at the ready.
Solution? Again, input and careful guidance. And again, my choice is New Scientist. Look at the topic below and just some of the lexis we mined for it from the article.
"Nowadays most people choose to throw away broken things instead of repairing them and replace them with new ones. Why is this? What are some problems associated with this?"
❓ Why is this?
- Planned obsolescence
- Used fleetingly
- A sense of novelty
- A defunct product
- Throw-away culture, consumerist society
❓ What are some problems associated with this?
- Discard
- Disposable / single-use
- Landfills, gyres
- Incineration / incinerated
- Leaching … into soil
❓ Bonus: What can be done to reverse the trend?
- Come into force (be put into force)
- Phase out
- Eschew
- Incrementally
- Impose fines
Look at the transformations you can make in your essay to take it to the next level:
1️⃣ broken things >> defunct products
2️⃣ because they want something new >> are driven by a sense of novelty
3️⃣ should stop using plastic bags >> should eschew disposable plastic bags
This is just a tiny glimpse how course "Writing with New Scientist" can help you on your IELTS writing journey.
Two groups starting soon:
- Friday 11-12:30 Moscow time, Level C1+/C2
- Saturday 11:30-13:00 Moscow time, Level C1
More details and student testimonials (sorry, it's a link to my VK community page again).
💌 @iraluts
✏️ And try your hand with one of the expressions in the comments!
Indeed, when we learn English, we typically focus on common everyday expressions rather than on formal, academic words. And then, when we have to write an IELTS essay, we don't have academic language at the ready.
Solution? Again, input and careful guidance. And again, my choice is New Scientist. Look at the topic below and just some of the lexis we mined for it from the article.
"Nowadays most people choose to throw away broken things instead of repairing them and replace them with new ones. Why is this? What are some problems associated with this?"
- Planned obsolescence
- Used fleetingly
- A sense of novelty
- A defunct product
- Throw-away culture, consumerist society
- Discard
- Disposable / single-use
- Landfills, gyres
- Incineration / incinerated
- Leaching … into soil
- Come into force (be put into force)
- Phase out
- Eschew
- Incrementally
- Impose fines
Look at the transformations you can make in your essay to take it to the next level:
This is just a tiny glimpse how course "Writing with New Scientist" can help you on your IELTS writing journey.
Two groups starting soon:
- Friday 11-12:30 Moscow time, Level C1+/C2
- Saturday 11:30-13:00 Moscow time, Level C1
More details and student testimonials (sorry, it's a link to my VK community page again).
Please open Telegram to view this post
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"Irina, I want to join your course. I am ready to pay now. How do I pay?"
I get such messages sometimes. And I appreciate the enthusiasm, but there is more to signing up for my courses than paying.
I have a very thorough enrollment process in place:
1️⃣ If your profile name is a nickname or an alias, please introduce yourself properly - 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.
This process might seem lengthy and annoying.
What do I get out of it? Groups of student who all have the same level and the same mindset.❤️
Would you rather be in a group like this or in a group where people join by simply paying?❓
Two new "Writing with New Scientist" groups starting this week:
- Friday 11-12:30 Moscow time, C1+/C2
- Saturday 11:30-13:00 Moscow time, C1
💌 Dm me @iraluts
I get such messages sometimes. And I appreciate the enthusiasm, but there is more to signing up for my courses than paying.
I have a very thorough enrollment process in place:
This process might seem lengthy and annoying.
What do I get out of it? Groups of student who all have the same level and the same mindset.
Would you rather be in a group like this or in a group where people join by simply paying?
Two new "Writing with New Scientist" groups starting this week:
- Friday 11-12:30 Moscow time, C1+/C2
- Saturday 11:30-13:00 Moscow time, C1
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#TOEFL has gone through a complete overhaul in January 2026, and the writing part did not escape this fate.
What is writing in the new TOEFL like? Join our workshop this Sunday to find out.
🦋 "The new #TOEFL: Is there any writing?" by Maria Botina
In our Writing Incubator workshop, we’ll take a look at these new tasks and answer the questions:
• Is it enough to really show off your writing skills? How do we adapt to shorter and shorter yet task times?
• What are some of the techniques to write faster?
• How can we show off our writing skills in such a time frame?
• What can we do when the format is new and there are barely any prep materials?
In class, we will get a taste of a few sample task and actually write them!
📅 8 February, Sunday, 11:00 am Moscow time, Zoom
💌 The workshop is free. To join, message me @iraluts with a meaningful ending to this comment, "Wow, I can't miss this one! I'd love to join because ... ."
❗️ Please note that this is a workshop, not a webinar or a lecture. If you join, you have to write. "Ghosts" will be kicked out. We don't record our workshops, so this is a safe space to participate.
🦋 "Writing Incubator" is a series of workshops by stellar professionals who love writing.
🦋 Writing Incubator - where writing skills hatch
What is writing in the new TOEFL like? Join our workshop this Sunday to find out.
🦋 "The new #TOEFL: Is there any writing?" by Maria Botina
In our Writing Incubator workshop, we’ll take a look at these new tasks and answer the questions:
• Is it enough to really show off your writing skills? How do we adapt to shorter and shorter yet task times?
• What are some of the techniques to write faster?
• How can we show off our writing skills in such a time frame?
• What can we do when the format is new and there are barely any prep materials?
In class, we will get a taste of a few sample task and actually write them!
📅 8 February, Sunday, 11:00 am Moscow time, Zoom
🦋 "Writing Incubator" is a series of workshops by stellar professionals who love writing.
🦋 Writing Incubator - where writing skills hatch
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Missing word? 📊
"One online experiment from 2021 found that talking to a chatbot perceived as being caring still reduced stress and worry in people - [_?_] not as much as talking to their human partner." (Source: New Scientist)
"One online experiment from 2021 found that talking to a chatbot perceived as being caring still reduced stress and worry in people - [_?_] not as much as talking to their human partner." (Source: New Scientist)
Anonymous Quiz
16%
Admittedly
56%
Albeit
12%
If
10%
Nonetheless
6%
Provided
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#IELTS Writing Task 1: "This sounds awkward." 📊
"This sounds awkward" is a comment I sometimes have to give to my students. I know it's not very helpful. But sometimes what students write looks so awkward I don't know how to even begin to explain ...
So I wrote a paragraph in Russian to illustrate.
Касаясь пианино, дети учились играть в количестве 30% - то, что понизилось до 27% в 2016 году. Скрипко-играние было менее популярно: в 1996 году 14% будущих музыкантов сделало этот выбор однако двадцать лет спустя скрипка упала до числа 10%. Цифра акустической гитары оказалась на уровне 6%, но спустилась к финальному завершению данного рассматриваемого периода до 2% - они выбирали этот вид гитары меньше всего среди всех.
Even though the language is Writing Task 1 type of language, the paragraph is just a hodgepodge of awkward mistakes and collocations.
In our native language, the awkward phrasing is obvious even when we can't explain why every single case is awkward.
In English, getting the hang of Writing Task 1 language might take time, effort - and meticulous research.
But if you don't invest in this, you might end up writing something that's just... awkward. And "awkward" can't take you above Band 7.
#ieltswritingtask1
"This sounds awkward" is a comment I sometimes have to give to my students. I know it's not very helpful. But sometimes what students write looks so awkward I don't know how to even begin to explain ...
So I wrote a paragraph in Russian to illustrate.
Касаясь пианино, дети учились играть в количестве 30% - то, что понизилось до 27% в 2016 году. Скрипко-играние было менее популярно: в 1996 году 14% будущих музыкантов сделало этот выбор однако двадцать лет спустя скрипка упала до числа 10%. Цифра акустической гитары оказалась на уровне 6%, но спустилась к финальному завершению данного рассматриваемого периода до 2% - они выбирали этот вид гитары меньше всего среди всех.
Even though the language is Writing Task 1 type of language, the paragraph is just a hodgepodge of awkward mistakes and collocations.
In our native language, the awkward phrasing is obvious even when we can't explain why every single case is awkward.
In English, getting the hang of Writing Task 1 language might take time, effort - and meticulous research.
But if you don't invest in this, you might end up writing something that's just... awkward. And "awkward" can't take you above Band 7.
#ieltswritingtask1
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The vegan health trap - but not a lexical one 🥦🥒🥑
First off, a shoutout to all the vegans out there.
But even if you are not one, you might still want to write about a vegan diet. How many "synonyms" can you think of for "vegan"? Not the easiest word to paraphrase...
Look, here is a list I mined from a New Scientist article:
- Plant-based diet / Plant-based foods
- Plant-based meat alternatives
- Meat alternatives
- The meat-alternative market
- Diet without meat and dairy
- People who avoid meat and dairy in their diet
- People who avoid animal-based foods
- Live without consuming animal-based products
- This diet / Individuals who follow this diet
- This way of eating
- Your eating patterns
This is more than enough for your essay. And note that not all of these phrases are synonyms - there are other techniques to avoid repetitions.
This is just a tiny glimpse of what we do in "Writing with New Scientist" - a course that is designed to keep you in a good IELTS writing shape without the pressure of the format.
Two groups started in September. Two groups started recently. IELTS track. To join, @iraluts💌
📅 Started in September:
- Friday 13:00-14:30 MSK (C1/C1+)
- Wednesday 12:00-13:30 MSK (C2)
📅 Started recently:
- Friday 11-12:30 MSK (C1+)
- Saturday 11:30-13:00 MSK (B2+/C1)
Details and student testimonials (sorry, it's a link to my VK community page again).
First off, a shoutout to all the vegans out there.
But even if you are not one, you might still want to write about a vegan diet. How many "synonyms" can you think of for "vegan"? Not the easiest word to paraphrase...
Look, here is a list I mined from a New Scientist article:
- Plant-based diet / Plant-based foods
- Plant-based meat alternatives
- Meat alternatives
- The meat-alternative market
- Diet without meat and dairy
- People who avoid meat and dairy in their diet
- People who avoid animal-based foods
- Live without consuming animal-based products
- This diet / Individuals who follow this diet
- This way of eating
- Your eating patterns
This is more than enough for your essay. And note that not all of these phrases are synonyms - there are other techniques to avoid repetitions.
This is just a tiny glimpse of what we do in "Writing with New Scientist" - a course that is designed to keep you in a good IELTS writing shape without the pressure of the format.
Two groups started in September. Two groups started recently. IELTS track. To join, @iraluts
📅 Started in September:
- Friday 13:00-14:30 MSK (C1/C1+)
- Wednesday 12:00-13:30 MSK (C2)
📅 Started recently:
- Friday 11-12:30 MSK (C1+)
- Saturday 11:30-13:00 MSK (B2+/C1)
Details and student testimonials (sorry, it's a link to my VK community page again).
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Missing word?
"Those who stubbornly stuck to their initial goals, in contrast, tended to be less content with their lives - [_?_] were those who weren't at all inclined to try something new." (Source: New Scientist)
"Those who stubbornly stuck to their initial goals, in contrast, tended to be less content with their lives - [_?_] were those who weren't at all inclined to try something new." (Source: New Scientist)
Anonymous Quiz
11%
Albeit
32%
As
19%
Neither
14%
Nor
25%
So
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