IELTS Writing Task 2 – Some people think that schools should select pupils according to their academic
Some people think that schools should select pupils according to their academic
abilities, while others believe that it is better to have pupils with different abilities
study together.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
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:
Children are put in a particular grade according to age in our education system. It is
obvious that all children are not of the same intelligence level and sometimes it
becomes difficult for educators to teach them in the same class. Therefore, some
people feel that there should be separate teaching for intelligent students and weak
students.
If we look at the benefits, then yes, intelligent students can be taught at their pace
and the sessions can be made more interesting for them and the same thing applies to
the weak students. Thus, both the categories of students would enjoy learning.
Moreover, different teaching tactics can be adopted in each group to give students
maximum benefits. In a mixed group, many times weak students cannot cope up with
the pace of studies and so come under high pressure and get de-motivated. When
they are separated, teachers can handle them tactfully and bring them back the lost
confidence.
Furthermore, it has been seen that sometimes the more intelligent students show
disruptive behaviour. They can grasp things very soon and then disturb the others. It
can become very difficult for the teacher to maintain discipline in the class.
On the other hand, weak students would automatically develop an inferiority complex
if they are made to realise that they are weak in studies by separating them. In
addition to that, the other group might not treat them well, which can have a direct
effect on their psyche. On the contrary, when the students study in a mixed group, a
sense of competition develops and weak students are motivated to study. Even
intelligent students can help weak students in studies and the bond can be
strengthened. This way, even weak students would not feel belittled.
In my opinion, children should not be separated as only academic abilities are not
enough to judge the intelligence of the students. I would rather suggest what I had in
my school, and that is extra coaching to weak students. It serves the purpose best as
teachers save their time and energy and yet maintain the effectiveness.
Model Answer 2:
Some people contend that mixed ability classes are more beneficial for children’s development than streaming them on the basis of judgement about their academic abilities. However, from my perspective, I disagree with this contention.
Admittedly, mixed ability classes provide a better environment for children’s all-round development. In such classes, children with different abilities study together and in turn they can learn from one another. From example, a student, who is good at academic study but weak in dancing or painting, can learn how to dance or paint form his peers. In this sense, mixed ability classes allow students to develop their abilities in different subjects instead of only academic abilities.
Despite the argument above, I believe streaming students brings more benefits to teachers and students. As for teachers, separating children with better academic abilities from others facilitates effective teaching. This practice helps teachers to control their students more conveniently and easily. Compared with mixed ability in which teacher should consider students’ differences when they are using teaching methodologies, streaming makes this situation simpler. To be more specific, students are at the same level of academic ability in a class, and in turn teachers can use the same methodologies for them all. In this way, the narrower the spread of ability in the class, the more convenient the teaching can be.
On top of this, steaming enables students to learn in an effective way. According to students’ different abilities, they are taught in different ways that are more suitable for them. In the top streams, students use more difficult materials, therefore, they can learn more. In sharp contrast, teachers can explain the material more slowly to those in bottom streams. Under this circumstance, students with different academic abilities can study effectively and efficiently.
In the final analysis, mixed ability classes are beneficial for students’ versatile development, but in my opinion, segregating students based on different academic ability is better for both teachers and students.
Sample Answer 3:
A number of people think that primary schools should select young students based on their abilities, while others have different opinions. In my perspective, I think both of the parties are reasonable which I will elaborate below.
There are certainly some benefits of selecting pupils according to their abilities. One of the benefits is that it helps development of young talented students. By simply putting some elite students in the same class in school, they may feel pressure from their peers who also have the same talents in studying. As a result, they will put more effort on their learning and to achieve better academic results. Apart from this, teachers are able to teach more faster in class. As top students have better understanding on their study, teachers may use only one teaching method. Consequently, teachers can significantly reduce the workloads in class.
However, there are opposing voices. To begin with, top students can set a good example to average students. Participating in class discussion and submit assignments on time, top students can become the role model to average students. This could influence the behaviors of average students which may also cultivate good habits for themselves. Moreover, it is a good opportunity to top students to develop their communication skills. In most cases, average students generally enjoy interacting with their peers while top students like to read books. Given the chances to mingle with average students, top students definitely can get exchange ideas with others.
In conclusion, although selecting pupils based on their abilities have some benefits, I still think that schools should have pupils with different abilities to study together because it will help both top and average students development of their learning.
Model Answer 4:
The classmates a student interacts with on a day-to-day basis make up an important part of their academic experience. Many believe that a pupil’s learning is enhanced when students of varying academic skill surround them. However, I argue that a student benefits most through regular interaction with students of similar intellectual potential. This will be shown by looking at how such an arrangement both poses healthy challenges to students and refrains from holding students back in their academic pursuits.
Firstly, by grouping students based intellectual strength, a classroom can provide an environment that engages young people at a level equal to their ability. Take language learning as an example. If a highly skilled language student is placed in the same classroom as a beginner, the class atmosphere is beneficial to neither. Further, it would be impossible for the teacher of this class to provide challenging material that caters to both student levels. Thus, the merits of classroom groupings based on skill level can be seen.
Secondly, intellectually superior students placed with less capable students may be held back in their studies. For example, Canadian public school systems do not categorize students based on their strengths, instead favouring to amalgamate all pupils into one collective class. Under such an arrangement it unfortunately becomes all too common for gifted students to be held back in their studies as their classmates struggle to understand basic concepts. As this example shows, arranging students by intelligence should be supported.
Following this look at class structure, it can be concluded that education systems that discriminate between strong and weak students are beneficial to pupils as a whole. I hope these sorts of classroom arrangements return to popularity in the years to come.
It is certainly true that, mixed ability classes have some of benefits those are highly appreciable but many people contend that, streaming education system is well effective and provide more facilities to obtain a successful carrier in future. However, admittedly I would prefer a segregating school education rather than mixing up, because streaming curriculum is well standard and bit easier for teachers and students to act according to their respective lessons.
There are mixed opinion in regards to whether streaming students according to their academic ability into separate schools is utilizable to the education system. Some assert it is more beneficial to students’ development if students attend in the mixed abilities schools. However, I believe that it would be more effective and efficient in terms of both teaching and learning when streaming students is implemented.
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