Virtual Writing Tutor

What is Virtual Writing Tutor?

The Virtual Writing Tutor is a free online essay checker and grammar assistant developed by ConverSolo Inc. You can paste paragraphs containing mistakes, click “Improve writing,” and the tool will correct errors and rephrase sentences in standard English. It can also score essays, assign an overall grade, offer improvement tips, check your CEFR level, analyze English proficiency, and help with vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. A basic membership is free; a premium version with additional features is available at an affordable price for frequent users.

Who created Virtual Writing Tutor?

Nicholas Walker, an ESL teacher at Ahuntsic College in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, launched the website on April 5, 2012. His goal was to improve ESL writing instruction by giving students feedback that was more frequent, higher quality, and delivered sooner. The site is connected to Bokomaru Publications, which creates free and low-cost tools for ESL learners.

Key Features and How to Use Them

Improving your writing: Type in a paragraph that needs work and click “Improve writing.” The tool corrects mistakes, rewrites sentences in standard English, and shows you the errors it found.

Scoring essays: Paste your full essay and hit “Score essay.” You’ll see the essay types it can score, then receive an overall score with practical advice for strengthening your writing.

Checking proficiency level: Enter text from any assignment and click “Check Level.” The tool calculates your proficiency based on vocabulary range and grammar error frequency.

IELTS speaking practice: Choose a common topic and question, write your answer, check it for grammar errors, then record yourself saying it. Click “evaluate” for immediate feedback on pronunciation and an overall score.

IELTS academic writing practice: Select Task 1 or Task 2 practice tests, start the built-in timer, and write your essay. The system uses AI to analyze and score it against specific criteria.

Grammar and punctuation check: The checker detects common punctuation and grammar mistakes, with extra rules fine-tuned specifically for ESL error patterns and correction suggestions.

Vocabulary checker: Click “Vocabulary Checker” to analyze your word use, including academic words, clichés, power words, and field-specific terms, then use the feedback to improve word choices and cut clichés.

Bottom Line

The Virtual Writing Tutor is a solid free option for ESL learners and students who want grammar correction, essay scoring, proficiency checks, and IELTS preparation in one place, with a premium tier for heavier use.