IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.
IELTS Essay # 1258 - Time is spent on learning facts and not on learning practical skills
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people say that in all levels of education, from primary schools to universities, too much time is spent on learning facts and not enough on learning practical skills.
Do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1:
Education plays a crucial role in shaping individuals' intellectual and practical abilities. Some argue that our current education system focuses excessively on memorising facts rather than developing practical skills, and I tend to agree with this view.
Undeniably, it is a fact that from primary to university education, learners are encouraged to memorise answers to questions and score higher in traditional exams. This can be reflected by the syllabus that our schools follow, and the way learners are encouraged to do better in the exams. For instance, parents, teachers and society will value those who are top scorers, and it does not matter how much they are prepared for the practical aspects of the lessons learned in their educational institutions. Moreover, parents would be happy to see their children studying rather than trying to explore or experiment. This lack of encouragement to explore and examine makes the situation worse.
Furthermore, the academic styles of most educational institutions and their lack of laboratories also reveal how our education is based on a traditional memorise-and-pass approach. Most education institutions have a scarcity of proper laboratories and necessary equipment for pupils to learn the practical aspects of studying. For instance, at our high school, we had to attend at least five theoretical physics classes each week while only one practical class for the same period. This lack of emphasis hindered our opportunity to experiment and learn the practical aspects of the lessons that were taught in our classes. It was as if we were supposed to read, memorise and pass the exam, and the practical aspect of our learning was the least important element of our education.
In conclusion, the way our educational institutions run and the syllabuses they follow, along with societal expectations from students evidently show that our education emphasises too much on teaching facts and information and not so much to teach us practical aspects of those facts and information. It is expected that our education system would be reorganised to emphasise more on practice, exploration and investigation.
Sample Answer 2:
In education, the balance between learning facts and acquiring practical skills has become a contentious topic. While some argue that too much time is devoted to learning facts at the expense of practical skills, I strongly disagree with this perspective. I believe that both aspects are covered nowadays, and the modern education system offers a well-rounded education, complementing each other to foster critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and overall academic excellence.
Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that facts form the foundation of knowledge in any subject. Without a solid understanding of fundamental facts, students may struggle to grasp complex concepts and build their expertise in a particular field. For instance, in mathematics, memorising basic arithmetic operations is essential before students can delve into higher-level calculus or statistics. Moreover, historical facts serve as critical reference points, enabling students to contextualise events and understand the evolution of societies and civilizations. From this regard, educational institutions emphasise just as much when it comes to theoretical aspects of education for many majors.
Moreover, a focus on hands-on education and experiments are also done in most schools and universities that are renowned for offering quality education. In today's dynamic and ever-changing job market, employers seek individuals with problem-solving skills, creativity, and adaptability, and many university courses aim to prepare learners for professional excellence. Practical skills, such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking have also been integrated into modern syllabi and it has been proven vital to empower students to navigate real-life challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.
In conclusion, facts and theories provide the necessary groundwork for knowledge acquisition, practical skills equip students with the tools to navigate real-world challenges and contribute effectively to society. Modern education emphasizes both aspects to foster well-rounded individuals capable of taking practical and professional challenges.
Model Answer 3:
In the modern education setting, a major concern is the overemphasis on learning mere facts and figures, which are often not relevant in practical scenarios. I firmly agree with this view and believe that modern education should focus on developing practical skills rather than just teaching facts and information.
To commence with, traditional education systems prioritise the memorisation of facts over practical skills, and most schools still follow this traditional method of teaching. For instance, students spend countless hours memorising historical events and math formulas without understanding their real-life applications. This approach of emphasising theoretical knowledge over practical skills deprives students of a genuine understanding of the subject matter, and this is reflected when they enter the job market. With their theoretical knowledge, they often fail to deliver the expected output. In fact, when they fail to thrive in the real world or solve problems in their professional life, we can only blame our theory-based education system.
In addition, the current education system is failing to provide students with opportunities to acquire practical skills. For example, most schools and universities do not offer courses that provide hands-on experiences. As a result, students are unable to develop crucial practical skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. This deficiency becomes more apparent when they are expected to use those skills to solve practical problems in real life.
In conclusion, educational institutions must revamp their curriculum and focus on practical skill development as they are currently too much theoretical. Schools can introduce more practical subjects, such as entrepreneurship and project-based learning, which will enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Moreover, universities can introduce internships, apprenticeships, and other experiential learning programs to provide students with hands-on experiences.
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