901
Topic:
Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
EDITED ESSAY (6.5)
With the globalization and the opening of more opportunities in foreign countries, learning a secondary language like English has become the focus of more people. However, whether children should begin learning foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school is a controversial issue. My firm conviction is that children should begin learning foreign language at primary school.
Language acquisition is considerably easier in the earlier stage of human life rather than later. This concept known in human biology and linguistics as the critical period presents that younger can acquire a more native-like fluency of a second language compared to older learners. It is implicit that the earlier one begins to learn a language the easier the task will be and the greater the degree of fluency that could be attained.
Moreover, primary school can offer more time learning a foreign language compared to secondary school since there are lesser subjects to be mastered. More time should be spent in listening, speaking, writing, and reading the language to effectively learn it and achieve a more competitive fluency. This time factor devoted to practicing and improving the ability to speak in a foreign language is more accessible in the primary school given more time to listen, talk and connect to friends who can speak the language as native.
On the other side, the length of time to be spent in learning a foreign language would be a problem at secondary school considering the number of subjects and lessons they need to study. The lesser is the time devoted to language learning, the longer will mastery of such be achieved. Besides, secondary school should be the stage wherein follow up and mastery of a second language is to be done and not the first step of learning it.
Briefly, young children’s brains are more receptive to language development, hence the earlier the learning, the better would be the outcome. Parents and teachers’ role could also not be undermined in leading children towards efficiently learning a foreign language.
NUMBER of WORDS: 295
902
Topic:
Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes (for example working for a charity, improving the neighborhood or teaching sports to younger children).
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Edited Essay (Band 7.5)
More and more students take part in the voluntary activities designed by schools in cooperation with local government bureaus to benefit the communities. However, whether those pro bono services should be a compulsory part of their courses in high school is a controversial issue. My firm conviction is that it is necessary for students to integrate in the social affairs of their districts through charitable or voluntary projects.
Community work can help the students become productive members of the society. By participating, they have an opportunity to comprehend the real situation of a community, which makes them not only learn how to respect and obey rules of the neighbourhood, but also learn how to contribute to the life of their immediate district. These proactive individuals are enabling for society’s sustainable growth.
On the other hand, voluntary programmes advocate the students’ physical and psychological development. Through involvement, they are motivated to participate in various decision-making procedures that will strengthen their abilities to build strong relationships, learn how to express what they want to do and co-operate with their partners. As a result they can attain success in the days to come.
That is not to say that students should partake in all community services to the extent of disregarding their academic studies. It is crucial for them to build their intellectual competence by learning the rudimentary theoretical courses such as math, physics and chemistry. The academic education should take most of their time and the learners should spend every effort to learn. The students’ community services have to positively impact their development without overlapping with their schedule for scholastic activities.
In a nutshell, engaging in voluntary programmes for the community is encouraging for students’ educational progress and professional success in the long run. But such participation requires a clear programme to guide the learners in performing their social responsibility without neglecting their academic commitments. With this approach, the students’ community service is not harmful to their health and development.
Word count: 328
IELTS 903: improve public health by sports facilities
Topic:
Some people say that the best way to improve public health is by increasing the number of sports facilities. Others, however, say that this would have little effect on public health and that other measures are required.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Edited Essay (Band 7.5)
Public health has been a pressing issue of most countries and a lot of people have been interested in observing ways to stay healthy. Some parties argue that expanding the number of sports amenities is the most appropriate way of boosting people`s health, while others feel that this is not a viable solution and believe other steps should be needed. From my point of view, a comprehensive program is needed to sustain the citizens` health.
First of all, physical and psychological benefits created by sports activities contribute to a healthy body. With greater availability of recreation facilities in every community, it not only is convenient for citizens to exercise, but it also saves the time of most career persons. The aspect of wellbeing promotion is a critical value of sports facilities in upholding public health.
By contrast, those who harbor the view that sports facilities have little influence on public health argue that we should take other steps to keep fit. For them, there are facilitating factors such as balanced diet, healthy lifestyle and accessibility of healthcare facilities. After all, most health problems do not stem from lack of facilities, but from lack of healthy lifestyle.
In my view, to improve public health, governments must shoulder their responsibility to construct more sports facilities, provide better healthcare services and take concrete action to raise the public awareness of doing exercise. But every person should practice a healthy lifestyle, only by combining the physical exercises with balanced diet can better results be attained.
In conclusion, the provision of buildings and equipment for sports at the community level is one of the interventions to improve the populations’ health. On the other hand, this approach must be supported by healthcare program, active way of life and appropriate diet.
Word count: 294
904
Topic:
Every year several languages die out. Some people think that this is not important because life will be easier if there are fewer languages in the world.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Edited Essay (Estimated Band 6.5)
Nowadays, there are a large number of languages that have vanished from our society as a result of globalization. However, whether having a few languages leads to a more convenient life is a controversial issue. My firm conviction is that the diversity of languages has a critical role on our life.
To start with, although it is convenient to use a global language in meeting people from different countries or in conducting businesses and official functions, but it is undeniable that diverse languages make our life rich and colorful. Living in the society with different languages, we can not only communicate with and express our thoughts to people who speak several languages, but we can also partake in various festivals to enrich our cultural experience. Besides, the continuation of languages prospers our respect for cultures and strengthens the civility of our society, this way the existence of diverse languages is significant for our life.
On the other hand, a language is not just a group of spoken words but it is the key to someone`s culture. With many languages died out, there are customs and traditions that have endured extinction, as language influences culture and vice versa. Hence, the survival of numerous languages is healthy.
In a nutshell, fewer languages in the world may be more effective for communication, but the dominance of one language would mean many cultures and traditions will eventually fade away in the days to come. As a conscientious member of society, we can and should shoulder our responsibility to protect linguistic and cultural diversity.
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