IELTS Writing Task 2 – In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general education
In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general education across a
range of subjects. In others, children focus on a narrow range of subjects related to a particular career. For today’s world, which system is appropriate?
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
You should write at least 250 words.
IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay Sample
Sample Answer 1:
In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general education across a
range of subjects. In others, children focus on a narrow range of subjects related to a
particular career. For today’s world, which system is appropriate?
It is a highly debated issue whether students should study many subjects or only a few
subjects. Both systems have their own merits. The answer depends on the students’
interests and the goals of their studies and the country’s requirement.
There are many advantages of a broad range of subjects. To begin with, a broad range
of subjects would provide a well rounded education which is very important for the
holistic development of the students. In addition, students could find out what their
real interests are as they would be exposed to a variety of fields of study. Just after
passing out of high school students really don’t know what they would be good at. So, if
they have to make decisions at that time, they would be guided by their peers or
parents. If they make a wrong decision at that time then they may drop out of school or
end up with low grades.
Moreover, it is ideal for those students who have many interests. They will pursue
education for education sake and not just learn a trade. Consequently, when they try to
find out job after graduation, their versatility will allow them to apply for a wider range
of jobs.
On the other hand, there are many advantages of studying a narrow range of subjects.
Such courses are basically vocational in nature. Such students find it easy to find a job in
their specific field of study. Naturally, companies will be more interested in job
applicants who have superior knowledge and so can make better contributions. What is
more, these students enter the job market earlier and start earning. This helps them to
support their families. This also allows students to focus on their interest and the
subject relevant to them. A physics or chemistry student may feel out of place if he has
to study ancient poetry or western literature. Finally, such students have lesser burden
and so more time for hobbies.
To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, both systems have their own merits. So it
depends on students’ choice and needs of the country. One size fits all approach cannot
be applied to today’s world.
Model Answer 2:
Secondary school curricula have drawn major public attention to their spectrum of subjects. While an education program containing a wide range of subjects would be beneficial to some extent, I firmly believe that a career-oriented one would be a better choice.
A curriculum providing general knowledge of diverse subjects benefits secondary students in different ways. The most obvious benefit is that students could gain the overview of a wide range of subjects, helping them grasp an overall understanding of different aspects of life and develop essential personal skills. Without the general knowledge of Math, writers, singers, and actors would find daunting difficulties in managing their family or personal finance. Vice versa, economists whose expertise is in Math and Finance would fail to explain socio-economic matters if they do not have a background in social sciences. Another clear benefit is that an education program with various subjects empowers students with essential orientation to determine their career passions which seldom come into shape during their teenage years. Students have the opportunities to get exposed to and engaged in various subjects to identify their occupation fields of interest.
However, I am of the opinion that a specialized training curriculum is a better choice because it would facilitate secondary students’ future career preparation. The primary reason is that such a training program allows students to nurture in-depth knowledge and skills in the occupation that they set their heats on, paving a way for major professional advances. In the current overwhelmingly competitive labor market, having a profound insights into a particular field would endow young students with ultimate advantages over other candidates, and, hence, provide them with brighter job opportunities. Secondly, an education program with a strong focus on profession-oriented modules can maximize students’ study efforts and investment. In the era of overloading information, concentrating on a few subjects would be the wisest learning way which could guarantee the usefulness and fruitfulness of investment in education.
In conclusion, while the option of teaching diverse subjects has its merits, I contend that specialized training system provides favorable education and optimal professional preparation for secondary students to lead successful career paths.
Model Answer 3:
Secondary school curriculum can be organised in a variety of ways. While several countries adopt the education system which orientates the students in a specific profession, I believe that the teenagers should have access to a comprehensive learning programme with a wide range of subjects.
To begin with, a learning programme providing knowledge of a major subject is beneficial in some ways. Being exposed to expertise and skills required by a certain speciality at the young age, the students would stand a great chance to not only have a well-defined career path, but also become competent workers in their later life. For example, with students having ambition to work as translators or applied language researchers in the future, it is a course of basic grammar and vocabulary at their secondary school that can realise the dream. In addition, current society of specialization tends to favour employees with a good grounding in a single field over those who have general knowledge but do not expert in a particular area. Therefore, it is absurd to say that such career-driven programmes are not appropriate to today’s world.
In stark contrast, however, it is better for the teenagers to have access to a curriculum containing basic knowledge of various fields. The final purpose of developing the comprehensive thinking of children should lie at the heart of any secondary school learning programme, as they seem to be too young to decide on a specific occupation to follow at that age. An ideal job is one that provides enjoyment for the workers, and it is a well-rounded course that can help children seek for a major they are interested in and nurture the passion for it. To illustrate, secondary schools in the UK aim to teach children different subjects ranging from Math to Arts, and their educational philosophy is to put job orientation in the high school curriculum.
In final words, my opinions are on par with the idea that secondary schoolchildren should be supplied with knowledge in as many fields as possible.
Sample answer 4:
Although most children today enjoy the right to receive education, it is not within their power to decide what subjects they may study at school. Regarding this matter, educational theorists still find themselves at loggerheads over whether secondary schools should impart knowledge of various fields, or they should concentrate on teaching only a few selected subjects relating to a certain sphere of education. From my perspective, I reckon that secondary educational content should be narrowed down for students.
First of all, a fewer choice of subjects to study at school will create a window of opportunity for students to blossom socially. To further explain this, students will not constantly find themselves in a battle against time trying to complete their homework, to prepare for new lessons or to review for upcoming exams. Instead, they will have more spare time to spend outdoors, to be with their friends or just to be with themselves. In this way, their self-confidence or communication skills will be boosted significantly.
It has been found that secondary students nowadays are feeling more stressed and overwhelmed than ever before, and the reason to explain this is quite self-explanatory. Many children today consider their schools prisons and their teachers correctional officers who would not stop giving them dull assignments to complete. When the inspiration to study is almost non-existent, it is understandably difficult for the students to keep a good performance at school. Consequently, the quality of education, on the whole, will go downhill.
To conclude, I hold the firm belief that the schools should focus on a small choice of practical subjects so that the lives of secondary students should not be fettered down by any undue responsibility
Model Answer 5:
Secondary school curricula have drawn major public attention to their spectrum of subjects. While an education program containing a wide range of subjects would be beneficial to some extent, I firmly believe that a career-oriented one would be a better choice.
A curriculum providing general knowledge of diverse subjects benefits secondary students in different ways. The most obvious benefit is that students could gain the overview of a wide range of subjects, helping them grasp an overall understanding of different aspects of life and develop essential personal skills. Without the general knowledge of Math, writers, singers, and actors would find daunting difficulties in managing their family or personal finance. Vice versa, economists whose expertise is in Math and Finance would fail to explain socio-economic matters if they do not have a background in social sciences. Another clear benefit is that an education program with various subjects empowers students with essential orientation to determine their career passions which seldom come into shape during their teenage years. Students have the opportunities to get exposed to and engaged in various subjects to identify their occupation fields of interest.
However, I am of the opinion that a specialized training curriculum is a better choice because it would facilitate secondary students’ future career preparation. The primary reason is that such a training program allows students to nurture in-depth knowledge and skills in the occupation that they set their heats on, paving a way for major professional advances. In the current overwhelmingly competitive labor market, having a profound insights into a particular field would endow young students with ultimate advantages over other candidates, and, hence, provide them with brighter job opportunities. Secondly, an education program with a strong focus on profession-oriented modules can maximize students’ study efforts and investment. In the era of overloading information, concentrating on a few subjects would be the wisest learning way which could guarantee the usefulness and fruitfulness of investment in education.
In conclusion, while the option of teaching diverse subjects has its merits, I contend that specialized training system provides favorable education and optimal professional preparation for secondary students to lead successful career paths.
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