ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 07/03/2023
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 07/03/2023
Question: Some students choose to take a gap year after graduating high school to work and/or travel. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
(IELTS Academic – 04/03/2023)
ANSWER (8.0+):
A number of pupils have a tendency to take a year off to gain work experience or travel after they graduate from high school. Although this propensity can trigger drawbacks such as the detrimental impacts on students’ academic progress, I consider its benefits including the accumulation of life experience and the development of new skills are more significant.
On the one hand, taking a year off can be detrimental to students since their academic development can be adversely affected. This is because they start their university education a year behind their peers causing a delay in acquiring their bachelor’s degree. This can hinder them from future career opportunities and a high earning potential. Additionally, taking a brief time to work or travel before embarking on their formal university education can engender the loss of momentum. More specifically, some students may find it difficult to return to academic studies and struggle to adjust to the pace of college coursework afterwards.
On the other hand, having a break between high school and university can bring two benefits. Most noticeably, it can provide students with the opportunity to gain life experience. To be more specific, they can acquire deeper insight into new cultures and exposure to different ways of living and thinking by travelling. Consequently, they are more likely to have a broader perspective and better understand themselves and the world around them, becoming more well-rounded individuals. Furthermore, they can learn new skills by working. In other words, their communication skills, time management and problem-solving skills are often strengthened by cooperating with others to fulfil tasks at work. These competencies can be beneficial in preparing for college and future careers.
In conclusion, the inclination to work and travel for a year after high school in lieu of going directly to college can have negative impacts on students’ academic development. However, I consider it is more beneficial since it can enhance their life experiences and enables them to learn crucial skills. It is advisable that high school graduates should take time to experience the real world by travelling or working.
(Word count: 346)
WORD LIST:
ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
Gain work experience | Tích lũy kinh nghiệm làm việc |
Academic progress | Tiến độ học tập |
The accumulation of life experience | Sự tích lũy kinh nghiệm sống |
A high earning potential | Tiềm năng thu nhập cao |
Embarking on their formal university education | Bắt đầu giáo dục đại học chính thức của họ |
College coursework | Khóa học đại học |
Acquire deeper insight into new cultures | Có được cái nhìn sâu sắc hơn về các nền văn hóa mới |
Exposure to different ways of living | Tiếp xúc với những cách sống khác nhau |
Have a broader perspective | Có tầm nhìn rộng hơn |
Competencies | Kĩ năng |