- Matching writing tasks to CEFR levels
- Beginner ESL writing prompts (A1 to A2)
- Intermediate ESL writing prompts (B1 to B2)
- Advanced ESL writing prompts (C1 to C2)
- Exam-style ESL writing prompts
- How to give useful feedback on ESL writing
- How to get better at ESL writing
- My advice for ESL writing practice
- Frequently asked questions
Here are 32 ESL writing prompts grouped by level, from beginner sentences about daily life to advanced opinion essays, matched to the CEFR's six levels from A1 to C2. There's also an exam-style set for learners preparing for IELTS, where the essay task needs at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.
Writing is often the skill English learners practise least, because it feels slow and exposed. The right prompt makes a huge difference: too hard and students freeze, too easy and they write three words. These prompts are grouped by CEFR band so teachers and self-learners can pick the right level quickly, and each group comes with a tip on what to focus on at that stage.
Matching writing tasks to CEFR levels
The Council of Europe's CEFR organises language ability into six levels, A1 to C2, grouped into Basic, Independent and Proficient users and described through can-do statements. For learners heading to IELTS, the Academic Writing test takes 60 minutes across 2 tasks: Task 1 needs at least 150 words describing a chart, table or diagram, and Task 2 needs at least 250 words discussing a point of view or problem. Task 2 counts twice as much as Task 1, which is worth knowing when you plan your practice.
| CEFR band | Typical writing task | Focus | Prompt group |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 to A2 | Short sentences and simple messages | Present tense, everyday vocabulary | Beginner prompts |
| B1 to B2 | Paragraphs, emails, short stories | Linking words, past tenses, opinions | Intermediate prompts |
| C1 to C2 | Essays and reports | Argument, nuance, formal register | Advanced prompts |
| Exam practice | IELTS-style tasks | Timing and word counts | Exam-style prompts |
Beginner ESL writing prompts (A1 to A2)
Short, personal and concrete. Aim for five to eight simple sentences; they don't need to be perfect.
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Write five sentences about your daily routine.
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Describe your family. Who are they and what do they like?
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Write about your favourite food and when you eat it.
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Describe your home in six sentences.
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Write a short message to a friend inviting them to your house.
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Write about what you did last weekend.
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Describe the weather today and what you'll wear.
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Write about your favourite place in your town.
Intermediate ESL writing prompts (B1 to B2)
Paragraphs with linking words like however, because, although and as a result. Don't worry if it takes a few drafts.
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Write an email to a hotel asking about rooms for a family holiday.
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Describe a festival in your country and why it's important.
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Write about a time you got lost and how you found your way.
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Is it better to live in a big city or a small town? Give your opinion with reasons.
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Write a short story that begins: 'I opened the door and couldn't believe my eyes.'
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Describe a person who has influenced you and explain how.
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Write a review of a film or book you enjoyed.
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Write a letter to your younger self giving advice about learning English.
Advanced ESL writing prompts (C1 to C2)
Essays and reports with a clear argument, counterargument and formal language. It's fine to plan in your first language.
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To what extent should governments regulate social media?
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Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working from home.
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Some people believe university should be free for everyone. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
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Write a report on how your town could reduce traffic.
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Is it more important to protect the environment or to grow the economy?
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How has technology changed the way people learn languages?
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Write a formal complaint about a service that went wrong.
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Should children learn a second language from the start of primary school?
Exam-style ESL writing prompts
IELTS-style tasks. Time yourself: about 20 minutes for Task 1 and 40 for Task 2.
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Task 1 style: describe a bar chart showing how people travel to work in three cities.
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Task 1 style: summarise a line graph showing changes in coffee and tea sales over a decade.
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Task 1 style: describe a diagram showing how rainwater is collected and reused.
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Task 2 style: some people think sport should be compulsory in schools. Do you agree or disagree?
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Task 2 style: discuss why young people find it hard to find a home in big cities and suggest solutions.
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Task 2 style: is it better to learn alone or in a group? Discuss both views.
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Task 2 style: what are the benefits and drawbacks of living abroad?
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Task 2 style: should museums be free to visit? Give reasons for your answer.
How to give useful feedback on ESL writing
Learners improve fastest when feedback's focused, and they'll ignore a page of corrections anyway. Rather than correcting every error, pick one or two patterns per piece, such as missing articles or verb tenses, and show the correction once. Ask the learner to find and fix the other examples themselves. Praise something specific first, like a well-chosen linking word or a clear opening sentence. And keep a simple error log, so learners can see their most common mistakes fading over time. That's far more motivating than a page covered in red ink.
How to get better at ESL writing
- Write little and often. Short daily pieces beat a long essay once a month.
- Read your writing aloud to catch missing words.
- Learn a handful of linking words for each level and use them on purpose.
- For IELTS, practise to time and count your words; Task 2 counts double.
- Keep an error log and check it before you hand in each piece.
If you teach or tutor English, my guide to choosing the right tutor covers what parents look for, and my directory of websites that publish essays is a motivating goal for advanced writers.
My advice for ESL writing practice
Start one level below the level you'd give yourself, so the first few pieces build confidence, then move up. Teachers: alternate personal prompts with exam-style ones, because learners write more freely about their own lives and that fluency carries into exam tasks. And always give learners a chance to rewrite one piece after feedback; that second draft is where most of the learning happens.
Frequently asked questions
What are good ESL writing prompts for beginners?
Short, personal prompts about daily routines, family, food and home, matched to CEFR A1 and A2.
What are the CEFR levels?
The Council of Europe's CEFR has six levels, A1 to C2, grouped into Basic, Independent and Proficient users and described through can-do statements.
How many words is IELTS Writing Task 2?
IELTS says Task 2 needs at least 250 words in about 40 minutes, and it counts twice as much as Task 1.
How long is the IELTS Writing test?
IELTS says the Academic Writing test takes 60 minutes and has 2 tasks.
How can ESL learners improve their writing?
Write little and often, read work aloud, learn linking words for your level and keep an error log of common mistakes.
