January is a good time for creative projects and exam workshops. ⛄️
Mark your calendars for:
1️⃣ Creative Writing Club
Unleash your creativity, get more practice, and have fun writing in English!
Starts 11 January, 11:00 MSK
More: https://vk.com/market/product/creative-writing-47977221-1461432
2️⃣ "Small Stories Big Ideas": short story reading club
Discuss thought-provoking stories — and ask the writers themselves! The writers — participants of my Creative Writing Bootcamp — will be joining the sessions, so you'll be able to ask them about their stories, stylistic devices, and their writing process.
Starts 18 January, 12:00 MSK
More: https://vk.com/market/product/a-reading-club-47977221-6876490
3️⃣ #IELTS Writing Task 1 overviews
A workshop on writing overviews - the most important part of the IELTS Writing Task 1 answer.
10 January, 13:00 MSK
More: https://vk.com/market/product/ielts-writing-task-1-overviews-47977221-11113395
4️⃣ Teaching #IELTS writing with model answers
A workshop for IELTS instructors on how to make the most of IELTS model answers (both W1 and W2)
11 January, 13:00 MSK
More: https://vk.com/market/product/teaching-ielts-writing-47977221-5648169
5️⃣ Teaching writing for #Duolingo English Test
A workshop for Duolingo instructors to give you a clear understanding of what Duolingo English Test writing looks like and how to better prepare your students for it
24 January, 11:00 MSK
More: https://vk.com/market/product/teaching-writing-for-duolingo-english-test-47977221-11687384
⛄️ 💌 @iraluts
Mark your calendars for:
Unleash your creativity, get more practice, and have fun writing in English!
Starts 11 January, 11:00 MSK
More: https://vk.com/market/product/creative-writing-47977221-1461432
Discuss thought-provoking stories — and ask the writers themselves! The writers — participants of my Creative Writing Bootcamp — will be joining the sessions, so you'll be able to ask them about their stories, stylistic devices, and their writing process.
Starts 18 January, 12:00 MSK
More: https://vk.com/market/product/a-reading-club-47977221-6876490
A workshop on writing overviews - the most important part of the IELTS Writing Task 1 answer.
10 January, 13:00 MSK
More: https://vk.com/market/product/ielts-writing-task-1-overviews-47977221-11113395
A workshop for IELTS instructors on how to make the most of IELTS model answers (both W1 and W2)
11 January, 13:00 MSK
More: https://vk.com/market/product/teaching-ielts-writing-47977221-5648169
A workshop for Duolingo instructors to give you a clear understanding of what Duolingo English Test writing looks like and how to better prepare your students for it
24 January, 11:00 MSK
More: https://vk.com/market/product/teaching-writing-for-duolingo-english-test-47977221-11687384
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Finishing strong and starting strong. 💪
If you've known me long enough, you'll know about my traditional 1 January run. Inspired by a student, I started in 2017 and have kept this tradition ever since. 🏃♀
In fact, it seems that the tradition now is to run two days in a row: on 31 December and on 1 January.
Join me on 1 January this year. Any place, any time, any distance. 🏃♀
Let's start the year strong!
If you've known me long enough, you'll know about my traditional 1 January run. Inspired by a student, I started in 2017 and have kept this tradition ever since. 🏃♀
In fact, it seems that the tradition now is to run two days in a row: on 31 December and on 1 January.
Join me on 1 January this year. Any place, any time, any distance. 🏃♀
Let's start the year strong!
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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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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.)
Please open Telegram to view this post
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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://news.1rj.ru/str/irinalutsenko/624
2️⃣ Avoiding repetitions with the help of ellipsis, not synonyms: https://news.1rj.ru/str/irinalutsenko/619
3️⃣ My full answer for the super-challenging task (imho) about two emergency exits in a residence hall: https://news.1rj.ru/str/irinalutsenko/618
4️⃣ Word count: Do your words add meaning, or are they useless clutter? https://news.1rj.ru/str/irinalutsenko/586
5️⃣ What exactly mistakes in each assessment criterion (TA, CC, LR, GR) look like: https://news.1rj.ru/str/irinalutsenko/582
6️⃣ Ways to write "salary" in tasks about salaries (forget "wages"!) https://news.1rj.ru/str/irinalutsenko/559
7️⃣ My eye surgery as an IELTS Writing Task 1 process denoscription (Who knows what IELTS will come up with one day? My denoscription is a valid IELTS answer!) https://news.1rj.ru/str/irinalutsenko/530
8️⃣ Language for writing about exceptions, e.g. when three categories showed a rise, but one saw a fall: https://news.1rj.ru/str/irinalutsenko/516
9️⃣ Lexis for the super-challenging task comparing two types of fishing industries:
https://news.1rj.ru/str/irinalutsenko/503
1️⃣ 0️⃣ Great sample answer by a student about citrus fruit exports: https://news.1rj.ru/str/irinalutsenko/501
Which one was the most useful one? Any other struggles in task 1? Share in comments.❤️
#ieltswritingtask1
https://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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://news.1rj.ru/str/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
59%
As of
9%
Dated
5%
Of late
5%
Per
22%
Regarding
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