ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 11/10/2021
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 12/10/2021
Question: Schools should not force children to learn a foreign language. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(IELTS Academic – 09/10/2021)
This week’s post includes two essays – one marked 6.5 and one marked 8.0+; this is meant to make a comparison in terms of the use of vocabulary, essay structure and grammar between the two.
ANSWER (6.5):
Schools all over world have a foreign language as a necessary subject. Some think that students must forced to learn a foreing language since it will be good for their skills. I think they shouldn’t and I will explain why in the following.
On the one hand, students can appreciate new culture and traditions. They can understanding more how the citizens of that nation usually talk with each other and by extension how their society works. For example, I was able to learn how people from Brazil talk each other by learning Portuguese. Once I was fluent in the language, I was able to understand the traditions and customs of Brazil and how the language can make them more interesting.
However, I still think students should not be force to learn new language. The main reason is it’s unnecessary students have enough on their plate already. Students need to deal with a lot of homework and in-class assignments, and learning a foreign language as a core subjec will be more difficult for students. Recently, my couisn’s school added Japanese as a necessary subject. He complained that it was unnecessary since he couldn’t imagine himself speaking the language in the nearly future and he has to deal with assignments from other subjects.
In conclusion, students should instead be motivated to learn a foreign language because of the reasons above. In addition, schools should make it optional to learn foreign languages and students should not do it against their wishes.
Word count: 248
ANSWER (8.0+):
Most schools globally include learning a foreign language as a compulsory component of their curriculum. However, I do not believe that students should be forced to learn a foreign language since it will unnecessarily add to the already enormous pressure students are currently facing with their schoolwork.
Admittedly, one important benefit a student can gain in learning new languages is that they can be exposed to new and diverse cultures. As language is a defining characteristic of a nation’s culture, students can acquire a deeper understanding of how the citizens of that nation typically communicate with each other and by extension how their society operates culturally. For example, by learning French, students can form an impression of the way the French conduct a typical conversation in their language. Once they are fluent in French, they can begin to understand the social fabric of the country and how the language helps to hold it together.
However, the argument that students should not be compelled to learn foreign languages is decidedly stronger. The biggest reason for this is it greatly contributes to the already significant volume of schoolwork. Since students are often subjected to a hectic teaching curriculum with mounting homework and in-class assignments, the addition of a foreign language as a core subject may make it even more difficult for students to study effectively. Recently, the Vietnamese Ministry of Education attempted to incorporate English into the national curriculum for elementary students. However, it was met with backlash from parents as they complained that their children are already burdened with a heavy workload from other subjects.
In conclusion, I would assert that students should not be compelled to learn a foreign language since it will add unnecessary pressure to the growing levels of schoolwork they are currently facing. Instead, it is advisable that schools should make it optional to learn foreign languages and students should be encouraged to do so, not made to do it against their will.
Word count: 326
WORD LIST:
ENGLISH |
TIẾNG VIỆT |
Compulsory component |
Thành phần bắt buộc |
Mandatory subject in a curriculum |
Môn học bắt buộc trong chương trình giảng dạy |
Be exposed to new and diverse cultures |
Được tiếp xúc với văn hóa mới và đa dạng |
Conduct a typical conversation |
Cách trò chuyện thông thường |
Social fabric |
Kết cấu xã hội |
Be compelled to do sth |
bị ép làm điều gì đó |
Oblige sb to do sth |
Ép ai đó làm điều gì đó |
Backlash from parents |
Phản ứng dữ dội từ phụ huynh |
Put an emphasis on sth |
Đặt trọng tâm lên một cái gì đó |
Lingua franca |
Ngôn ngữ cầu nối giữa hai người không nói cùng tiếng mẹ đẻ |
Linguistic similarities between their mother tongue and foreign languages |
Sự tương đồng về ngôn ngữ giữa tiếng mẹ đẻ và ngoại ngữ |
Bilingual people |
Những người nói được hai ngôn ngữ |
Special aptitude in other subjects |
Năng khiếu đặc biệt cho các môn học khác |
Counterproductive |
Phản tác dụng |
Learning reluctantly |
Học một cách miễn cưỡng |
Better career prospect |
Triển vọng nghề nghiệp tốt hơn |
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