Financial literacy in public schools has become an increasingly important topic in recent years. As an IELTS examiner and educator, I’ve noticed a growing trend of this subject appearing in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Based on my analysis of past exam papers and current educational trends, I predict that questions related to financial education in schools will continue to be a popular theme in future IELTS exams.
Let’s examine a relevant IELTS Writing Task 2 question that touches on this crucial topic:
Some people believe that schools should teach children how to manage money. Others think that this is not the role of schools and should be taught at home. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question presents two contrasting views on financial education:
- Schools should teach children about money management.
- Financial education should be the responsibility of parents at home.
The task requires you to discuss both perspectives and provide your personal opinion. This is a classic example of an IELTS Task 2 discussion essay, where you need to:
- Introduce the topic
- Discuss both viewpoints
- Present your own stance
- Conclude with a summary of your arguments
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-scoring example.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Financial literacy is a crucial life skill, and there is ongoing debate about whether it should be taught in schools or left to parents. While both sides have valid arguments, I believe that a combination of school-based and home-based financial education would be most beneficial for children.
Those who advocate for financial education in schools argue that it ensures all children have access to this vital knowledge. Not all parents have the financial expertise or time to teach their children about money management effectively. Schools can provide a structured curriculum taught by qualified teachers, covering topics such as budgeting, saving, and basic investment principles. Moreover, integrating financial literacy into subjects like mathematics can make these lessons more engaging and relevant to real-life situations.
On the other hand, proponents of home-based financial education argue that parents are best positioned to teach their children about money. They can provide personalized guidance based on the family’s financial situation and values. Parents can also offer practical experiences, such as giving children an allowance or involving them in household budgeting decisions. This hands-on approach can be more effective in instilling good financial habits than theoretical lessons in a classroom setting.
In my opinion, the ideal approach would be to combine both school and home-based financial education. Schools can provide a foundational understanding of financial concepts and ensure that all children have access to this knowledge, regardless of their parents’ financial literacy. Meanwhile, parents can reinforce these lessons at home with practical applications and personalized guidance. This collaborative approach would help children develop a well-rounded understanding of money management.
In conclusion, while there are merits to both school-based and home-based financial education, a combined approach would be most effective. By leveraging the strengths of both environments, we can ensure that the next generation is well-equipped to make sound financial decisions in their personal and professional lives.
(Word count: 309)
Financial literacy classroom
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent command of the English language and meets all the criteria for a high band score:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly presenting the writer’s opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear progression throughout. Each paragraph has a central topic, and ideas are logically connected using appropriate cohesive devices.
Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately. Some examples include “financial literacy,” “structured curriculum,” “personalized guidance,” and “foundational understanding.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately. Complex sentences are used effectively, such as “While both sides have valid arguments, I believe that a combination of school-based and home-based financial education would be most beneficial for children.”
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
These days, many people think schools should teach kids about money. But others say it’s not the job of schools and parents should do it at home. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
There are good reasons why schools should teach about money. First, not all parents know enough about money to teach their kids. Some parents might be bad with money themselves. Schools can have teachers who know a lot about money to teach all kids the same important things. Also, if it’s part of school, all kids will learn it, not just some.
However, some people think parents should teach about money at home. They say parents know their family’s money situation best and can teach based on that. Parents can also show kids real examples, like how to save pocket money or help with shopping. This might be better than just learning from books at school.
In my opinion, I think both schools and parents should teach kids about money. Schools can teach the basic ideas that all kids need to know. Then parents can show how to use these ideas in real life. This way, kids learn from both places and understand money better.
To sum up, there are good points for both school and home teaching about money. I believe the best way is for schools and parents to work together to teach kids about money. This will help kids be good with money when they grow up.
(Word count: 254)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates a good command of English but has some limitations compared to the Band 8-9 essay:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and presenting the writer’s opinion. However, the ideas are less fully developed compared to the higher band essay.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated. Paragraphs are shorter and less detailed.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, but less varied and precise compared to the Band 8-9 essay. There’s some repetition of words like “money” and “teach.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, but with less variety than the higher band essay. There are no significant errors, but the structures are less sophisticated.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Financial literacy (noun) /faɪˈnænʃəl ˈlɪtərəsi/: The ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills.
Curriculum (noun) /kəˈrɪkjələm/: The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.
Budgeting (noun) /ˈbʌdʒɪtɪŋ/: The process of creating a plan to spend your money.
Investment principles (noun phrase) /ɪnˈvestmənt ˈprɪnsəpəlz/: Basic rules or concepts for investing money effectively.
Personalized guidance (noun phrase) /ˈpɜːrsənəlaɪzd ˈɡaɪdəns/: Advice tailored to an individual’s specific situation.
Foundational understanding (noun phrase) /faʊnˈdeɪʃənəl ʌndərˈstændɪŋ/: Basic knowledge that serves as a basis for further learning.
Well-rounded (adjective) /wel ˈraʊndɪd/: Fully or broadly developed.
Sound financial decisions (noun phrase) /saʊnd faɪˈnænʃəl dɪˈsɪʒənz/: Wise choices related to money matters.
Conclusion
Financial literacy in public schools is a topic that’s likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. As you’ve seen from the sample essays, there are various approaches to discussing this subject, depending on your band level. To improve your writing skills, try crafting your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section for feedback.
For further practice, consider these related topics that might appear in future IELTS exams:
- The role of technology in financial education
- The impact of financial literacy on national economic stability
- Comparing financial education systems across different countries
Remember, regular practice and exposure to a wide range of topics will help you excel in the IELTS Writing Task 2. Good luck with your preparation!
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