Many PTE aspirants struggle in the Writing section, not because they lack ideas, but because their sentences sound repetitive and basic. Even students with good vocabulary often write simple structures again and again, which limits their score. This is where the GERMA Technique comes in.
We introduce the GERMA Technique to help students write more natural, fluent, and grammatically flexible responses by effectively using gerunds in the PTE Writing module.
What is the GERMA Technique?
GERMA stands for Gerund Mastery Approach.
In simple terms, this technique trains students to use gerunds (verb + ing) correctly and confidently while writing essays and summarising written texts. Gerunds function as nouns, allowing sentences to flow smoothly without sounding forced or memorised.
Instead of repeatedly writing:
"People should reduce pollution. People should save energy.”
Students learn to write:
“Reducing pollution and saving energy are essential for environmental protection.”
This small shift makes a big difference in sentence quality.
Why Are Gerunds Important in PTE Writing?
The PTE Writing module is evaluated by AI, which looks for:
• Grammatical range
• Sentence variety
• Natural flow of ideas
• Clarity and coherence
Gerunds help achieve all four.
Using gerunds allows students to:
• Combine ideas smoothly
• Avoid unnecessary repetition
• Write complex yet clear sentences
• Maintain a formal academic tone
Most importantly, they help students think in English, rather than translating from their mother tongue.
How the GERMA Technique Works in Writing Tasks?
The GERMA Technique is applied practically in both Summarise Written Text and Essay Writing.
1. Idea Compression
Students learn how to compress multiple ideas into one strong sentence using gerunds. This is extremely helpful when dealing with word limits.
Example:
“Improving education and providing equal opportunities play a crucial role in national development.”
2. Sentence Openers with Gerunds
Many students start sentences with “This essay will discuss…” or “There are many reasons…”.
GERMA replaces weak openers with confident gerund-based structures, such as:
“Encouraging innovation and supporting startups can strengthen the economy.”
3. Coherence Without Memorisation
Rather than memorising templates, students are trained to naturally insert gerunds into their own ideas, making their writing sound authentic and less robotic.
Why GERMA Technique Is Effective for PTE Aspirants?
The biggest advantage of the GERMA Technique is that it simplifies complexity. Students often believe that high scores require complicated grammar. In reality, PTE rewards controlled complexity, and gerunds are one of the safest ways to achieve this.
With consistent practice, students experience:
• Improved sentence variety
• Better grammar control
• Higher confidence in writing
• Reduced grammatical errors
Final Thoughts
The GERMA Technique is not about showing off grammar; it's about writing smarter. By mastering gerunds, students learn how to express ideas clearly, concisely, and naturally, which is exactly what the PTE Writing module demands.
GERMA is one such technique that helps aspirants move from average writing to high-scoring responses.
