Mastering Essay Writing for the VBE: Pedagogical Strategies, Task Fulfilment andObjective Assessment

The revised National Curriculum in Lithuania presents new challenges for teachers of English as a foreign language particularly in alligning their teaching curriculum with the requirements of the State Matura Examination (VBE) and ensuring that students achieve the B2+ level as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This seminar is designed to support English teachers in effectively implementing the new principles related to academic essay writing. Participants will explore different organisational patterns of essays preparing students for the revised VBE writing task. They will also examine multiple approaches to responding to a given essay prompt, andgain practical insight how these text types can be explicitly taught, practised, and objectively assessed in the teaching process. Through a combination of theoretical input, hands-on activities, and analysis of authentic student essays, teachers will develop strategies to guide learners toward the writing competence required by the curriculum. The seminar will provide broader approaches to fostering academic writing skills, critical thinking, and independent argumentation in line with contemporary academic writing standards.