The topic of saving for higher education frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2, particularly in agree/disagree and discussion essays. Based on recent exam trends and importance of saving for education, this theme has appeared in approximately 15% of education-related questions over the past year.
A student studying in library while thinking about education savings
Sample Question Analysis
Some people believe that parents should start saving money for their children’s university education as soon as they are born. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
This question requires candidates to evaluate the importance of early financial planning for higher education, connecting to broader themes about why governments should increase funding for public education.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
Rising education costs make early financial planning crucial for children’s academic future. I strongly agree that parents should begin saving for university education from their child’s birth, as this approach offers numerous advantages.
The primary benefit of early saving is the power of compound interest and long-term investment growth. When parents start saving immediately after their child’s birth, they have approximately 18 years to accumulate funds. This extended timeframe allows for more conservative investment strategies while still achieving substantial returns. Moreover, beginning early reduces the monthly financial burden on parents, as smaller regular contributions can accumulate into significant sums over time.
Furthermore, early education savings provide families with greater flexibility and options when choosing universities. With adequate savings, students can focus on selecting institutions based on academic merit rather than financial constraints. This financial security also enables students to consider importance of skill-based education in high schools and pursue additional educational opportunities like study abroad programs or specialized courses.
However, implementing this saving strategy requires careful financial planning and discipline. Parents must balance education savings with other financial responsibilities such as mortgage payments and retirement planning. Nevertheless, the benefits of starting early far outweigh the challenges, as it ensures better preparation for future educational expenses.
In conclusion, I firmly support the notion of beginning university savings at a child’s birth, as it provides financial security and expanded educational opportunities. This approach exemplifies responsible financial planning and investment in children’s future.
Parents calculating education savings with financial advisor
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
I agree that parents should save money early for their children’s university education because it has many benefits for both parents and children.
Firstly, saving money from an early stage helps parents manage their finances better. When they start saving when their child is born, they can put aside small amounts regularly, which is easier than trying to save large sums later. This is important because university education is becoming more expensive every year.
Secondly, having savings gives students more choices for their education. They can choose better universities or study how online learning is changing traditional education without worrying too much about money. Also, they don’t need to take big student loans that they will have to pay back later.
However, some parents might find it difficult to save money when their children are very young because they have other expenses like house payments or daily needs. But if they can save even a small amount regularly, it will help in the future.
In conclusion, I believe starting to save for university education early is a good idea because it makes things easier for both parents and children in the future.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Compound interest (n) /ˌkɒmpaʊnd ˈɪntrəst/ – Interest calculated on both the initial principal and accumulated interest
- Financial planning (n) /faɪˈnænʃəl ˈplænɪŋ/ – The process of managing money and investments
- Academic merit (n) /ˌækəˈdemɪk ˈmerɪt/ – Excellence in educational achievement
- Financial security (n) /faɪˈnænʃəl sɪˈkjʊərəti/ – State of having stable financial resources
- Investment strategies (n) /ɪnˈvestmənt ˈstrætədʒiz/ – Plans for achieving financial goals through investments
In conclusion, practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments for feedback. Similar topics might include discussing government funding for education or comparing different methods of educational savings.
