Financial literacy is becoming increasingly important in today’s complex economic landscape. The question of whether students should be taught how to manage personal finances has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 prompts. Based on analysis of past exam trends and the growing emphasis on financial education globally, this topic is likely to appear frequently in future IELTS tests. Let’s explore a relevant question that has appeared in recent exams:
Some people think that schools should teach children how to manage money. Others believe that this is not the responsibility of schools. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss arguments for teaching financial management in schools
- Explore reasons why some believe it’s not a school’s responsibility
- Provide a personal opinion on the matter
Let’s examine three sample essays addressing this prompt, each targeting different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Financial literacy is a crucial life skill, and the debate over whether schools should take responsibility for teaching it has gained significant traction. While some argue that financial education should be part of the school curriculum, others believe it falls outside the scope of academic institutions. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own stance on this important issue.
Proponents of including financial management in school curricula argue that it is an essential life skill that all students should possess. In today’s complex economic environment, understanding how to budget, save, invest, and manage debt is crucial for personal and professional success. By integrating these lessons into the education system, schools can ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have access to this vital knowledge. Moreover, teaching financial literacy from a young age can help instill responsible habits and decision-making skills that will benefit students throughout their lives.
On the other hand, those who oppose this idea contend that schools already have a full plate with traditional academic subjects and should not be burdened with additional responsibilities. They argue that financial education is primarily the responsibility of parents and that schools should focus on core subjects like mathematics, science, and language arts. Additionally, some worry that involving schools in financial education might lead to undue influence from financial institutions or promote materialistic values among students.
In my opinion, schools should indeed play a role in teaching students how to manage money, but this should be done in conjunction with parental guidance and real-world experience. Financial literacy is too important to be left to chance, and schools are well-positioned to provide a structured, comprehensive approach to this subject. By incorporating financial education into existing subjects like mathematics or social studies, schools can teach these skills without significantly altering their curricula. Furthermore, equipping students with financial knowledge can help reduce economic inequality and promote social mobility.
In conclusion, while the responsibility for financial education should be shared between schools, parents, and society at large, I believe that schools have a crucial role to play in ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn these essential skills. By providing a strong foundation in financial literacy, we can better prepare the next generation for the economic challenges and opportunities they will face in their personal and professional lives.
Students learning about personal finance in a classroom
Explanation of Band 8-9 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used with flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items are used with full awareness of style and collocation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A wide range of structures is used with full flexibility and control. Error-free sentences are frequent, and minor errors are rare.
Key strengths of this essay include:
- Clear introduction presenting the topic and outlining the essay structure
- Well-developed paragraphs exploring both viewpoints
- A clear personal opinion supported by logical reasoning
- Sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures
- Effective use of topic-specific language
Financial literacy in schools is indeed a crucial topic, and this essay effectively demonstrates how to approach such a question in the IELTS Writing Task 2.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In recent years, there has been a debate about whether schools should teach children how to manage money. Some people think it’s a good idea, while others believe it’s not the school’s job. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Those who support teaching financial management in schools argue that it’s an important life skill. They say that understanding how to handle money, save, and budget is crucial for students’ future success. By learning these skills early, students can avoid financial problems later in life. Also, not all parents know how to manage money well, so schools can ensure all children get this important knowledge.
On the other hand, some people think schools shouldn’t teach money management. They believe that schools already have too many subjects to teach and not enough time. They argue that financial education should be the responsibility of parents, who can teach their children based on their own experiences. Some also worry that focusing on money in school might make children too materialistic.
In my opinion, I think schools should teach basic financial skills to students. While parents play an important role, not all of them have the knowledge or time to teach these skills properly. Schools can provide a structured approach to financial education, making sure all students have a basic understanding of how to manage money. However, I believe this should be done in balance with other subjects and shouldn’t take up too much time in the curriculum.
To conclude, although there are arguments for and against teaching financial management in schools, I believe it’s beneficial for students to learn these skills as part of their education. By providing this knowledge, schools can help prepare students for their financial futures.
Students practicing budgeting with worksheets
Explanation of Band 6-7 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects are covered more thoroughly than others.
Coherence and Cohesion: There is a clear overall progression, though the use of cohesive devices may be mechanical at times.
Lexical Resource: An adequate range of vocabulary is used for the task, though there may be some limitations in precision and sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is used, with generally good control and only occasional errors.
Key aspects of this essay include:
- Clear presentation of both viewpoints
- Personal opinion is stated and supported
- Paragraphs are generally well-organized
- Some topic-specific vocabulary is used
- Sentence structures are varied, though not as sophisticated as in the higher band essay
While this essay effectively addresses the task, it could be improved by:
- Providing more specific examples to support arguments
- Using a wider range of advanced vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
- Incorporating more complex grammatical structures
Financial literacy in secondary schools is an important topic, and this essay demonstrates a solid approach to discussing it in the IELTS Writing Task 2.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, some people think schools should teach kids about money. But others say it’s not the school’s job. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
People who want schools to teach about money say it’s important. They think kids need to know how to save money and spend it well. If schools teach this, all kids can learn, even if their parents don’t know much about money. This can help kids when they grow up and have to manage their own money.
But some people don’t agree. They say schools already have lots to teach, like math and science. They think parents should teach kids about money at home. Also, they worry that talking about money too much in school might make kids think too much about money and not other important things.
I think schools should teach some things about money. It’s good for kids to learn how to save and spend wisely. But I also think parents should help teach this at home. Schools can give basic information, and parents can show how to use it in real life.
In conclusion, teaching about money in schools has good and bad points. I believe it’s good to teach some money skills in school, but not too much. This way, kids can learn important things about money that will help them in the future.
Young students engaged in a financial literacy lesson
Explanation of Band 5-6 Score
This essay demonstrates the characteristics of a lower mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task, but the development of ideas is limited.
Coherence and Cohesion: There is a basic structure, but paragraphing and use of cohesive devices may be inadequate or inaccurate at times.
Lexical Resource: A limited range of vocabulary is used, with some repetition and lack of precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: A limited range of structures is used, with some attempt at complex sentences but frequent grammatical errors.
Key aspects of this essay include:
- Both viewpoints are presented, though not in great detail
- A personal opinion is given
- Basic organization of ideas into paragraphs
- Simple vocabulary related to the topic
- Mostly simple sentence structures with some attempts at complexity
Areas for improvement include:
- Developing ideas with more specific examples and details
- Using a wider range of vocabulary and avoiding repetition
- Incorporating more complex grammatical structures
- Improving the use of cohesive devices for better flow between ideas
Why financial education should be mandatory in schools is a complex topic, and this essay shows a basic understanding of how to approach such a question in the IELTS Writing Task 2.
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.
Budget (verb/noun) – /ˈbʌdʒɪt/: To plan how to spend money; a financial plan for a defined period.
Invest (verb) – /ɪnˈvest/: To put money into financial schemes, shares, property, or a commercial venture with the expectation of achieving a profit.
Economic inequality (noun) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/: The unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society.
Social mobility (noun) – /ˈsəʊʃl məʊˈbɪləti/: The ability of individuals or groups to move between different levels in society.
Materialistic (adjective) – /məˌtɪəriəˈlɪstɪk/: Excessively concerned with material possessions; money-oriented.
Financial management (noun) – /faɪˈnænʃl ˈmænɪdʒmənt/: The planning, directing, monitoring, organizing, and controlling of monetary resources of an organization or individual.
Structured approach (noun) – /ˈstrʌktʃəd əˈprəʊtʃ/: A systematic and organized method of addressing a task or problem.
Economic landscape (noun) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈlændskeɪp/: The general economic environment or situation in a particular area or time.
Conclusion
The topic of teaching financial management in schools is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. The importance of financial literacy for students cannot be overstated in today’s complex economic world. Future exam questions might explore related themes such as:
- The role of technology in financial education
- The impact of financial literacy on national economies
- Comparing financial education systems across different countries
To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on these topics, focusing on developing well-structured arguments, using a range of vocabulary, and incorporating complex grammatical structures. Remember to always analyze the question carefully and address all parts of the task.
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the topic discussed in this article. Share your essay in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with other learners. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your IELTS Writing skills and prepare for the exam.