GPII B2+2 Groups 8 and 15 Lesson 8

Lesson 8 The elephant in the room.
Mistakes Through Translation http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/11442650/Sentence%20Structure
Creating an editing checklist  http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/37583119/Correction-Checklist-For-L1-Italian-Speakers
Legal Systems  http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/78307961/Legal%20Systems
Debate (Group 8) Discussion (Group 15)

Homework/Self Study 

Take a look at your essay and try to correct it. What mistakes were due to over-translation? Look at the writing criteria: http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/IELTS_Writing_MarkSchemes.html

What do you need to improve on to get the band you want?  Compare your answer to the model below. Especially look at the use of verbs, collocations and linking devices

In the last decade, there has been considerable debate over the role of free speech in a free society. Some object to absolute freedom of speech. Others advocate free speech, arguing that the freedom of speech is the single most important political right of citizens in a civilized society. Whilst I believe that there are strong arguments on both sides, I would suggest that freedom of speech should be protected in all but extreme circumstances.

Freedom of speech is important at all levels in a society. Yet it is most important for the governments. A government which does not know what the people feel and think is in a dangerous position. This is how the communist regimes of Eastern Europe were toppled in the 1980s. The same is happening again in other regions of the world today. The governments that muzzle free speech run a risk of pushing their people to behave destructively or to rebel.

Furthermore, without free speech no political action is possible and no resistance to injustice and oppression is possible. Without free speech elections would have no meaning at all. Policies of contestants become known to the public and become responsive to public opinion only by virtue of free speech. Between elections the freely expressed opinions of citizens help restrain oppressive rule. Without this freedom it is futile to expect political freedom or consequently economic freedom.


The next lesson (24th April) will be a study workshop. Please come prepared with any questions you want to ask or areas that you have found difficult and need help with. This will be our last lesson before the test (8th May) so take advantage of this opportunity for 1 to 1 help. Any students who haven’t completed the writing assessment can do it during this lesson.