ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 04/08/2024
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 05/08/2024
Question: Despite the increased access to education, a significant number of people cannot read or write. What are the disadvantages without these skills? And what actions should governments take?
(IELTS Academic – 03/08/2024)
ANSWER (8.0+):
Despite the broader availability of education, a considerable number of individuals are still illiterate. This shortage of basic literacy skills presents several downsides regarding knowledge acquisition and employment opportunities, however, governments might address this problem by supporting them in job applications and skill learning.
There are major disadvantages of illiteracy. The foremost one is the difficulty in acquiring new knowledge. A vast proportion of human understanding is stored in written sources, including books, articles, and statistical data. Without the ability to read, individuals can miss out on accessing this wealth of information, limiting their opportunities for self-improvement and learning. Furthermore, illiteracy can create significant barriers in the job market. Most jobs require reading and writing skills for tasks such as understanding instructions, communicating with colleagues and clients, and handling documentation. Those who lack these skills may struggle to secure employment and perform effectively in a work environment, which can lead to unemployment or underemployment.
To address these challenges, governments should implement both short-term and long-term measures. Initially, they can help illiterate individuals find employment by creating a job bank that lists suitable vacancies. Companies that hire these individuals could be offered tax reductions as an incentive. This approach would provide immediate support and improve the livelihoods of those affected. Over a longer period, governments should focus on eradicating illiteracy by providing free training courses. For example, Vietnam has successfully increased its literacy rate by allowing all children to attend primary school free of charge and broadcasting educational programs on national television. Such initiatives could be adopted by other countries to ensure that everyone has access to basic literacy skills.
In conclusion, the inability to read and write presents significant disadvantages, including limited access to knowledge and job prospects. The government can tackle this issue through immediate employment support and long-term educational programs, thereby helping individuals and society as a whole.
(Word count: 310)
WORD LIST
ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
Basic literacy skills | Kỹ năng đọc viết cơ bản |
Knowledge acquisition | Sự tiếp thu kiến thức |
Employment opportunities | Cơ hội việc làm |
Significant barriers | Rào cản lớn |
Secure employment | Đảm bảo việc làm |
Unemployment or underemployment | Thất nghiệp hoặc thiếu việc làm |
Suitable vacancies | Vị trí tuyển dụng phù hợp |
Immediate support | Hỗ trợ ngay lập tức |
Eradicating illiteracy | Xóa mù chữ |
Broadcasting educational programs | Phát sóng chương trình giáo dục |
Job prospects | Triển vọng nghề nghiệp |
Immediate employment support | Hỗ trợ việc làm ngay lập tức |