This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of early language learning from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Early Language Learning
Some believe that students should begin learning a language very early in school while others think these subjects should be taught later.
Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
Many have argued that the earlier students begin learning a language in school the better. Although this can pose challenges for schools, I am in complete agreement with this opinion.
Those against early foreign language courses contend it is not always practical. In many school systems, the cost of such courses can be prohibitive. More specifically, in more remote areas, teachers will often not have the ability to teach another language and it may be difficult to recruit foreign native language speakers. If the schools teach a foreign language anyway, then they will have to rely largely on textbooks and the classes are not likely to be as productive. This reality can create a situation where wealthier school districts receive a disproportionately superior education.
However, even when the conditions are not ideal, there is tremendous value in learning a language early relative to learning it later in life. Studies have shown that languages can be acquired far more easily early in one’s education. As a person gets older, the muscles in the mouth become more fixed making it more difficult to pronounce sounds from another language similar to a native speaker. Their brains are also less flexible and this is clearly evidenced in the considerably slower progress for adults when learning a new language. Attempting to acquire another language younger therefore has greater overall value for any given individual.
In conclusion, the effectiveness of early language acquisition justifies its inclusion in curricula at all schools. This educational reform should be a priority.
Analysis
1. Many have argued that the earlier students begin learning a language in school the better. 2. Although this can pose challenges for schools, I am in complete agreement with this opinion.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those against early foreign language courses contend it is not always practical. 2. In many school systems, the cost of such courses can be prohibitive. 3. More specifically, in more remote areas, teachers will often not have the ability to teach another language and it may be difficult to recruit foreign native language speakers. 4. If the schools teach a foreign language anyway, then they will have to rely largely on textbooks and the classes are not likely to be as productive. 5. This reality can create a situation where wealthier school districts receive a disproportionately superior education.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- The more detail, the better!
1. However, even when the conditions are not ideal, there is tremendous value in learning a language early relative to learning it later in life. 2. Studies have shown that languages can be acquired far more easily early in one’s education. 3. As a person gets older, the muscles in the mouth become more fixed making it more difficult to pronounce sounds from another language similar to a native speaker. 4. Their brains are also less flexible and this is clearly evidenced in the considerably slower progress for adults when learning a new language. 5. Attempting to acquire another language younger therefore has greater overall value for any given individual.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Keep adding in the result to develop your ideas more.
1. In conclusion, the effectiveness of early language acquisition justifies its inclusion in curricula at all schools. 2. This educational reform should be a priority.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Many have argued that the earlier students begin learning a language in school the better. Although this can pose challenges for schools, I am in complete agreement with this opinion.
Those against early foreign language courses contend it is not always practical. In many school systems, the cost of such courses can be prohibitive. More specifically, in more remote areas, teachers will often not have the ability to teach another language and it may be difficult to recruit foreign native language speakers. If the schools teach a foreign language anyway, then they will have to rely largely on textbooks and the classes are not likely to be as productive. This reality can create a situation where wealthier school districts receive a disproportionately superior education.
However, even when the conditions are not ideal, there is tremendous value in learning a language early relative to learning it later in life. Studies have shown that languages can be acquired far more easily early in one’s education. As a person gets older, the muscles in the mouth become more fixed making it more difficult to pronounce sounds from another language similar to a native speaker. Their brains are also less flexible and this is clearly evidenced in the considerably slower progress for adults when learning a new language. Attempting to acquire another language younger therefore has greater overall value for any given individual.
In conclusion, the effectiveness of early language acquisition justifies its inclusion in curricula at all schools. This educational reform should be a priority.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
Many have argued that lots of people think that
the earlier … the better sooner in life is superior
Although but
pose challenges creates problems
I am in complete agreement with this opinion I agree 100%
contend argue
practical works, is possible
school systems the schools in a specific town/district
courses classes
prohibitive prevent you from doing it
More specifically in particular
in more remote areas in the countryside
recruit foreign native language speakers find teachers from other countries
rely largely on textbooks use books too much
productive efficient
reality situation, fact
create a situation lead to the problem
where wealthier school districts in which richer schools
receive a disproportionately superior education have better schools
even when in the case that
conditions situations
not ideal bad
tremendous value in lots of importance in
relative to learning it later in life compared to learning later on
Studies have shown that research indicates that
acquired far more easily learned more efficiently
As a person gets older as you age
muscles parts of the mouth
fixed unable to change
pronounce sounds from articulate, say
similar to a native speaker not that different from a foreigner
less flexible more rigid, fixed
this is clearly evidenced in this is definitely the case
considerably slower progress for not nearly as fast
Attempting trying
acquire get
greater overall value more importance
any given individual a person
effectiveness how well it works
early language acquisition justifies learning a language early in life is reasonable because
inclusion adding it to
curricula what is learned in class
educational reform changes to school
priority important
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
M________________________t t_______________r students begin learning a language in school t______________r. A__________h this can p____________________s for schools, I_______________________________________________n.
Those against early foreign language courses c__________d it is not always p_________l. In many s_____________s, the cost of such c_________s can be p____________e. M_____________y, i_________________________s, teachers will often not have the ability to teach another language and it may be difficult to r____________________________________s. If the schools teach a foreign language anyway, then they will have to r_____________________________s and the classes are not likely to be as p___________e. This r________y can c_______________________________e w___________________________________________________________________________________n.
However, e_________n the c__________s are n__________l, there is t__________________n learning a language early r_____________o l____________________e. S__________________t languages can be a____________________y early in one’s education. A____________________r, the m______s in the mouth become more f_____d making it more difficult to p_______________________m another language s________________________r. Their brains are also l_____________e and t______________________n the c___________________________r adults when learning a new language. A___________g to a_________e another language younger therefore has g___________________e for a_________________________l.
In conclusion, the e___________________s of e___________________________s its i___________n in c___________a at all schools. This e____________________m should be a p___________y.
Pronunciation
ˈmɛni hæv ˈɑːɡjuːd ðæt
ði ˈɜːlɪə … ðə ˈbɛtə
ɔːlˈðəʊ
pəʊz ˈʧælɪnʤɪz
aɪ æm ɪn kəmˈpliːt əˈɡriːmənt wɪð ðɪs əˈpɪnjən
kənˈtɛnd
ˈpræktɪkəl
skuːl ˈsɪstəmz
ˈkɔːsɪz
prəˈhɪbɪtɪv
mɔː spəˈsɪfɪkᵊli
ɪn mɔː rɪˈməʊt ˈeərɪəz
rɪˈkruːt ˈfɒrɪn ˈneɪtɪv ˈlæŋɡwɪʤ ˈspiːkəz
rɪˈlaɪ ˈlɑːʤli ɒn ˈtɛkstbʊks
prəˈdʌktɪv
riˈæləti
kriˈeɪt ə ˌsɪtjʊˈeɪʃᵊn
weə ˈwɛlθɪə skuːl ˈdɪstrɪkts
rɪˈsiːv ə ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃnɪtli suːˈpɪəriər ˌɛdjʊˈkeɪʃᵊn
ˈiːvən wɛn
kənˈdɪʃᵊnz
nɒt aɪˈdɪəl
trɪˈmɛndəs ˈvæljuː ɪn
ˈrɛlətɪv tuː ˈlɜːnɪŋ ɪt ˈleɪtər ɪn laɪf
ˈstʌdiz hæv ʃəʊn ðæt
əˈkwaɪəd fɑː mɔːr ˈiːzɪli
æz ə ˈpɜːsᵊn ɡɛts ˈəʊldə
ˈmʌslz
fɪkst
prəˈnaʊns saʊndz frɒm
ˈsɪmɪlə tuː ə ˈneɪtɪv ˈspiːkə
lɛs ˈflɛksəbᵊl
ðɪs ɪz ˈklɪəli ˈɛvɪdənst ɪn
kənˈsɪdərəbᵊli ˈsləʊə ˈprəʊɡrəs fɔː
əˈtɛmptɪŋ
əˈkwaɪə
ˈɡreɪtər ˈəʊvərɔːl ˈvæljuː
ˈɛni ˈɡɪvn ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤuəl
ɪˈfɛktɪvnəs
ˈɜːli ˈlæŋɡwɪʤ ˌækwɪˈzɪʃᵊn ˈʤʌstɪfaɪz
ɪnˈkluːʒən
kəˈrɪkjʊlə
ˌɛdjʊˈkeɪʃᵊnᵊl ˌriːˈfɔːm
praɪˈɒrəti
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
Speaking Practice
Talk about a goal that you want to achieve in the future. Include:
What the goal is
When you thought of it
How you will accomplish it
Writing Practice
Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
thanks