This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of whether money for education should be spent on better computers or teachers from the real IELTS exam.

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IELTS Essay: Money for Computers or Teachers

Some believe that money for education should mainly be spent on better computers while others believe it would be better spent on teachers.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Many feel that funding allocated for education should be primarily spent on computers rather than paying the teaching staff higher salaries. In my opinion, though technology is important today, teachers are still considerably more valuable and deserving of prioritization.

Proponents argue increased funding for computer technology reflects shifts in modern society. Expertise with computers is becoming essential not only for one’s daily life but also most careers. At the moment, schools focus on a wide range of subjects that may not have any direct applicability later in a student’s life such as history, biology, physics, literature, art, and so on. It is logical that focusing more on a useful area such as new computers will maximize funding for schools. However, this thinking neglects the key finding in numerous studies that a wide base of knowledge is more important than early specialization.

Moreover, teachers can potentially be a crucial influence on their pupils. Most adults are grateful to at least one teacher who serves as a lifelong role model. This is because students can connect with a teacher emotionally and intellectually. For example, a teacher may introduce and elucidate a number of great thinkers and writers that later shape a student’s political or moral philosophy. By providing greater funding for teachers, this simply ensures that more qualified teachers will apply for jobs. Additionally, teachers who are passionate about their work, and are underpaid at the moment, are likely to feel more motivated and appreciated with higher salaries.

In conclusion, those who argue in favor of computers are short-sighted as teachers have greater overall impact. Naturally, it is more difficult to measure and study the value of quality teachers and provide definitive evidence for this viewpoint.

Analysis

1. Many feel that funding allocated for education should be primarily spent on computers rather than paying the teaching staff higher salaries. 2. In my opinion, though technology is important today, teachers are still considerably more valuable and deserving of prioritization.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. Proponents argue increased funding for computer technology reflects shifts in modern society. 2. Expertise with computers is becoming essential not only for one’s daily life but also most careers. 3. At the moment, schools focus on a wide range of subjects that may not have any direct applicability later in a student’s life such as history, biology, physics, literature, art, and so on. 4. It is logical that focusing more on a useful area such as new computers will maximize funding for schools. 5. However, this thinking neglects the key finding in numerous studies that a wide base of knowledge is more important than early specialization.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. You can sometimes include the counterpoint here too.

1. Moreover, teachers can potentially be a crucial influence on their pupils. 2. Most adults are grateful to at least one teacher who serves as a lifelong role model. 3. This is because students can connect with a teacher emotionally and intellectually. 4. For example, a teacher may introduce and elucidate a number of great thinkers and writers that later shape a student’s political or moral philosophy. 5. By providing greater funding for teachers, this simply ensures that more qualified teachers will apply for jobs. 6. Additionally, teachers who are passionate about their work, and are underpaid at the moment, are likely to feel more motivated and appreciated with higher salaries.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Continue your development.
6. Finish the paragraph strong.

1. In conclusion, those who argue in favor of computers are short-sighted as teachers have greater overall impact. 2. Naturally, it is more difficult to measure and study the value of quality teachers and provide definitive evidence for this viewpoint.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. 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 feel that funding allocated for education should be primarily spent on computers rather than paying the teaching staff higher salaries. In my opinion, though technology is important today, teachers are still considerably more valuable and deserving of prioritization.

Proponents argue increased funding for computer technology reflects shifts in modern society. Expertise with computers is becoming essential not only for one’s daily life but also most careers. At the moment, schools focus on a wide range of subjects that may not have any direct applicability later in a student’s life such as history, biology, physics, literature, art, and so on. It is logical that focusing more on a useful area such as new computers will maximize funding for schools. However, this thinking neglects the key finding in numerous studies that a wide base of knowledge is more important than early specialization.

Moreover, teachers can potentially be a crucial influence on their pupils. Most adults are grateful to at least one teacher who serves as a lifelong role model. This is because students can connect with a teacher emotionally and intellectually. For example, a teacher may introduce and elucidate a number of great thinkers and writers that later shape a student’s political or moral philosophy. By providing greater funding for teachers, this simply ensures that more qualified teachers will apply for jobs. Additionally, teachers who are passionate about their work, and are underpaid at the moment, are likely to feel more motivated and appreciated with higher salaries.

In conclusion, those who argue in favor of computers are short-sighted as teachers have greater overall impact. Naturally, it is more difficult to measure and study the value of quality teachers and provide definitive evidence for this viewpoint.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

funding money

allocated for meant for

primarily spent on mostly money given to

computers laptops, desktops, etc.

rather than instead of

paying the teaching staff higher salaries teachers making more money

considerably much more

valuable important

deserving should receive

prioritization more importance

proponents argue increased funding for people in favor point out more money for

reflects shifts is related to changes

modern society the contemporary world

expertise with doing well with

essential importance

daily life how people live each day

At the moment right now

focus on prioritize

wide range of subjects many classes at school

direct applicability relate right away to

later in a student’s life as kids get older

history study of the past

biology study of life forms

physics study of how the universe words

literature study of books

art study of pictures, music, etc.

and so on etc.

logical rational

focusing emphasizing

useful area key place

maximize make the most of

neglects doesn’t pay attention to

key finding crucial information

numerous studies much research

wide base of knowledge lots of information learned

early specialization learning something early on

potentially possibly

crucial influence key effect

pupils students

adults older people

grateful feel thanks to

at least one at minimum one

serves as a lifelong role model look up to that person forever

connect with get along well

emotionally related to feelings

intellectually related to thinking

introduce show for the first time

elucidate explain

great thinkers smart people

writers authors

shape mold

political related to politics and government

moral philosophy related to religion and ethics

providing greater giving more

simply ensures only makes sure of

qualified professional

apply for put in applications for

Additionally moreover

passionate caring a lot about

underpaid not earning enough

motivated encouraged

appreciated feeling valued

higher salaries making more money

short-sighted not thinking long-term

greater overall impact more effect in general

Naturally of course

measure record, delineate

provide definitive evidence give real support

viewpoint opinion

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ˈfʌndɪŋ 
ˈæləʊkeɪtɪd fɔː 
ˈpraɪmərɪli spɛnt ɒn 
kəmˈpjuːtəz 
ˈrɑːðə ðæn 
ˈpeɪɪŋ ðə ˈtiːʧɪŋ stɑːf ˈhaɪə ˈsæləriz
kənˈsɪdərəbli 
ˈvæljʊəbl 
dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ 
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzaɪʃən
prəˈpəʊnənts ˈɑːgjuː ɪnˈkriːst ˈfʌndɪŋ fɔː 
rɪˈflɛkts ʃɪfts 
ˈmɒdən səˈsaɪəti
ˌɛkspɜːˈtiːz wɪð 
ɪˈsɛnʃəl 
ˈdeɪli laɪf 
æt ðə ˈməʊmənt 
ˈfəʊkəs ɒn 
waɪd reɪnʤ ɒv ˈsʌbʤɪkts 
dɪˈrɛkt ˌæplɪkəˈbɪlɪti 
ˈleɪtər ɪn ə ˈstjuːdənts laɪf 
ˈhɪstəri
baɪˈɒləʤi
ˈfɪzɪks
ˈlɪtərɪʧə
ɑːt
ænd səʊ ɒn
ˈlɒʤɪkəl 
ˈfəʊkəsɪŋ 
ˈjuːsfʊl ˈeərɪə 
ˈmæksɪmaɪz 
nɪˈglɛkts 
kiː ˈfaɪndɪŋ 
ˈnjuːmərəs ˈstʌdiz 
waɪd beɪs ɒv ˈnɒlɪʤ 
ˈɜːli ˌspɛʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃən
pəʊˈtɛnʃəli 
ˈkruːʃəl ˈɪnflʊəns 
ˈpjuːplz 
ˈædʌlts 
ˈgreɪtfʊl 
æt liːst wʌn 
sɜːvz æz ə ˈlaɪflɒŋ rəʊl ˈmɒdl
kəˈnɛkt wɪð eɪ 
ɪˈməʊʃənli 
ˌɪntɪˈlɛktjʊəli
ˌɪntrəˈdjuːs 
ɪˈluːsɪdeɪt 
greɪt ˈθɪŋkəz 
ˈraɪtəz 
ʃeɪp eɪ 
pəˈlɪtɪkəl 
ˈmɒrəl fɪˈlɒsəfi 
prəˈvaɪdɪŋ ˈgreɪtə 
ˈsɪmpli ɪnˈʃʊəz 
ˈkwɒlɪfaɪd 
əˈplaɪ fɔː 
əˈdɪʃənli
ˈpæʃənɪt 
ˌʌndəˈpeɪd 
ˈməʊtɪveɪtɪd 
əˈpriːʃɪeɪtɪd 
ˈhaɪə ˈsæləriz
ʃɔːt-ˈsaɪtɪd 
ˈgreɪtər ˈəʊvərɔːl ˈɪmpækt
ˈnæʧrəli
ˈmɛʒə 
prəˈvaɪd dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv ˈɛvɪdəns 
ˈvjuːpɔɪnt

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:

Many feel that f____________g a________________r education should be p______________________n c_____________s r_______________n p__________________________________________________s. In my opinion, though technology is important today, teachers are still c________________y more v__________e and d_________g of p________________n.

P____________s a_______e i_________________________r computer technology r____________s in m_________________y. E__________________h computers is becoming e_____________l not only for one’s ______________e but also most careers. A________________t, schools f___________n a w_____________________s that may not have any d____________________y l___________________________e such as h_________y, b________y, p__________s, l_______e, a__t, a_____________n. It is l__________l that f_____________g more on a u____________a such as new computers will m________________e funding for schools. However, this thinking n____________s the k_________________g in n___________________s that a w__________________e is more important than e_________________________n.

Moreover, teachers can p__________________y be a c____________________e on their p__________s. Most a_______s are g__________l to a_____________e teacher who s______________________l. This is because students can c________________h a teacher e____________________y and i_____________y. For example, a teacher may i______________e and e_________________e a number of g______________s and w_______s that later s____e a student’s p______________l or m_____________________y. By p_____________________r funding for teachers, this s_______________________s that more q____________d teachers will a_____________r jobs. A___________________y, teachers who are p__________________e about their work, and are u______________d at the moment, are likely to feel more m____________d and a______________d with h_______________s.

In conclusion, those who argue in favor of computers are s_________________d as teachers have g_______________________t. N________________y, it is more difficult to m___________e and study the value of quality teachers and p__________________________e for this v____________t.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrU6YJle6Q4

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/education/resource/top-five-benefits-of-technology-in-the-classroom

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

School

1. Did you like your school when you were a child?
2. What did you learn about?
3. Did you have a favorite teacher?
4. Are there many rules in schools in your country?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

Some today argue that schools are no longer necessary because children can learn so much from the internet and be educated at home.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: The Internet & School (Real Past IELTS Exam/Test)