Task 2: In the last decade, there has been a great increase in the number and variety of online courses available to adults. This has been welcomed as a great opportunity by many students, however, other students see these courses as less effective than classroom teaching. What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying an online course

Distance learning has become more popular in public worldwide on account of the arrival of modern technology. Certainly, taking online
courses
provides many advantages to
learners
, which traditional
courses
can not,
such
as flexible learning
schedules
, personal preferences and
time
save, whereas online
courses
also
have some drawbacks
such
as lack of face-to-face interaction, lack of instant support or feedback from lecturers and excess dependence on technology or modern devices. No doubt, online lectures provide extremely flexible study
schedules
for the individual learner.
Learners
are able to log in to their accounts and study during their free
time
as long as they have access to their computers or laptops and the
Internet
.
Students
taking online
courses
are able to organize their studies in terms of their personal
schedules
. Many
learners
are able to take online
courses
and keep working part-
time
or even full-
time
due to unlimited assess to their
courses
with flexible learning timetables.
In addition
, online
courses
provide more options for
students
to select their favourite subjects to work on because more online
courses
are available for
students
to choose from on account that lecturers do not need to book classrooms in school or institutes.
Finally
,
students
are able to take their lesson at home, which definitely helps
students
save
time
because they do not spend
time
commuting.
However
, like a coin with two sides, online
courses
also
have many drawbacks as well. Learning online lacks face-to-face interaction with their
teachers
or peers. As compared to traditional
courses
,
students
who study long-distance
courses
do not have chances to interact with their
teachers
or peers. Traditional
classes
help
students
know one another better so that
students
in the class have more chances to establish lifelong friendships.
Furthermore
, lecturers in class are able to have a better understanding of their
students
so that
teachers
are able to adapt their teaching methods more efficiently.
However
, online learning does not help
students
to know one another, and
teachers
sometimes have a hard
time
knowing their
students
behind the screen and are unable to give feedback on
time
as well.
Last
but not least, sometimes, online
classes
rely on the
Internet
. If the function of the
Internet
or the speed of the
Internet
is disturbed,
students
might not be able to take their
classes
on
time
. In traditional
classes
,
teachers
are able to deliver their lectures as long as
students
arrive in class and teaching is not relying on modern devices. To sum up, online learning provides more flexible
schedules
for
learners
and more opportunities for
learners
to choose their favourite subjects and helps
learners
save
time
.
In contrast
, it lacks interpersonal interaction and proper support from
teachers
and
also
leads to student's absence due to the interruption of the
Internet
service.
Submitted by busybee1693 on

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

  • Paragraph 1 - Introduction
    • Sentence 1 - Background statement
    • Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
    • Sentence 3 - Thesis
    • Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
  • Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
    • Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
    • Sentence 2 - Example
    • Sentence 3 - Discussion
    • Sentence 4 - Conclusion
  • Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
    • Sentence 1 - Summary
    • Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
    • Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »— a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

Essentional vocabulary list for IELTS Writing 7+

Learn how to write high-scoring essays with powerful words.
Download Free PDF and start improving you writing skills today!
What to do next:
Look at other essays: