ELT365 · Day 195 — Controlled writing — copying and gap-fill

Idea — Controlled writing tasks limit what learners can write: copy a model, complete gaps in a text, unscramble sentences. They build accuracy and familiarity with form before free production is expected.

Example — Learners read a model email of complaint and rewrite it changing name, date, and product. They focus on structure and phrases, not content invention.

Try — Write a 6-sentence model paragraph in the genre your class is practising. Design a gap-fill version with five key phrases removed. Use it before any free writing task.

Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.