L1 RUSSIAN - L2 ENGLISH STUDENTS ATTEMPTING ACADEMIC IELTS WRITING TASK 1 (PROCESS DESCRIPTION): GRAMMAR DIFFICULTIES IDENTIFIED

Abstract

: A survey of 13 textbooks published in Western Europe and designed for IELTS preparation was conducted. Analysis of activities targeting functional language needed for description of a natural or manufacturing processes (Academic IELTS Writing Task 1) showed that most of these resources are centered around passive verb forms, relative clauses, and linkers, or sequencing phrases. Meanwhile, a study of 21 IELTS assignments written by Russian-speaking students at levels B1-B2 CEFR shows that the number of errors in the above structures is relatively small, and students lack grammar skills other than that. These are morphological and syntactic patterns which are largely missing in L1 Russian or which are cognitively difficult for L2 English learners at levels B1-B2. Moreover, a survey of 32 model texts, or model answers, found in the available authentic IELTS preparation sources shows that some structures inherent in authentic or nativelike texts do not occur in level B1-B2 students’ production. The linguistic and pedagogical implications of this are that 1) Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 should be subject to deeper linguistic analysis, 2) more grammar patterns should be made the focus of classroom instruction alongside the structures suggested by global textbooks; 3) there is a need for Russian-made manuals and designing IELTS related tasks.