Art education plays a crucial role in fostering creativity among students, and this topic has become increasingly relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 examinations. Based on recent trends and analysis of past exams, we can expect to see more questions related to the intersection of art, education, and creativity in future IELTS tests. To help you prepare, we’ve selected a highly relevant question that closely resembles those encountered in actual IELTS exams:
Some people think that schools should spend more time teaching creative skills like art and music. Others believe that academic subjects are more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Let’s analyze this question and provide sample essays for different band scores to help you understand how to approach this topic effectively.
Question Analysis
This question falls under the “discussion + opinion” category, requiring candidates to:
- Discuss the view that schools should focus more on teaching creative skills like art and music
- Discuss the opposing view that academic subjects are more important
- Provide their own opinion on the matter
Key points to consider:
- Balance between creative skills and academic subjects
- The importance of art and music in education
- The value of academic subjects in the curriculum
- Long-term benefits of both approaches
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
The debate over the emphasis on creative skills versus academic subjects in school curricula has been ongoing for years. While some argue for increased focus on artistic disciplines, others maintain that traditional academic subjects should take precedence. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own view on this matter.
Proponents of emphasizing creative skills in education argue that subjects like art and music are essential for developing well-rounded individuals. They contend that these disciplines nurture creativity, self-expression, and emotional intelligence – qualities that are increasingly valued in today’s rapidly evolving job market. Moreover, engagement in artistic activities has been shown to enhance cognitive functions, improve problem-solving skills, and boost overall academic performance. This holistic approach to education, they argue, better prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century.
On the other hand, those who prioritize academic subjects assert that these form the foundation of a solid education. They maintain that subjects like mathematics, sciences, and languages provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for success in higher education and future careers. Additionally, they argue that in an increasingly competitive global economy, proficiency in core academic subjects is crucial for national economic growth and individual professional advancement.
In my opinion, a balanced approach that integrates both creative and academic subjects is ideal. While academic subjects undoubtedly provide essential knowledge and skills, creative disciplines offer unique benefits that complement traditional learning. Art education, for instance, can enhance students’ ability to think critically and approach problems from multiple perspectives – skills that are valuable across all academic domains. Furthermore, the importance of interdisciplinary learning in education cannot be overstated, as it prepares students for the complex, interconnected challenges they will face in their future careers and personal lives.
In conclusion, rather than viewing creative and academic subjects as mutually exclusive, educational institutions should strive to create a curriculum that balances both. This approach would not only foster creativity but also ensure that students are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Art education fostering creativity in classroom
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The question of whether schools should focus more on teaching creative skills like art and music or prioritize academic subjects is a topic of much debate. Both sides have valid arguments, and this essay will discuss them before giving my personal opinion.
Those who support more time for creative skills in schools believe that art and music are important for students’ development. They say that these subjects help students express themselves, be more creative, and develop skills that are useful in many jobs today. For example, learning music can improve memory and concentration, while art can teach problem-solving in a visual way. Some people also think that creative subjects make school more enjoyable for students, which can improve their overall performance.
On the other hand, supporters of academic subjects argue that these are more important for students’ future success. They believe that subjects like math, science, and languages give students the basic knowledge they need for higher education and good jobs. They worry that spending too much time on art and music might mean students don’t learn enough about core subjects that are necessary for many careers. In a competitive world, they think strong academic skills are more valuable than creative ones.
In my opinion, schools should try to balance both creative and academic subjects. While it’s true that academic subjects are very important, I believe that creative skills also have a lot of value. Art and music can help students think differently and solve problems in new ways, which is useful in all subjects. Also, the importance of critical thinking in primary education can be supported by both creative and academic subjects working together.
To conclude, I think the best approach is to include both creative and academic subjects in school curriculums. This way, students can develop a wide range of skills that will help them in their future studies and careers.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
There is a big discussion about what schools should teach more. Some people think art and music are very important, but others say academic subjects are better. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
People who like art and music in schools say it is good for students. They think these subjects help students be creative and express themselves. Learning art and music can make students happy and enjoy school more. Some jobs need creative skills, so this can help students in the future.
But other people think academic subjects are more important. They say subjects like math, science, and languages are necessary for getting good jobs and going to university. They worry that if students spend too much time on art and music, they might not learn enough about other important subjects. In today’s world, they think academic knowledge is more useful.
I think both kinds of subjects are important. Schools should teach art and music, but also focus on academic subjects. This way, students can learn different things and be ready for different jobs in the future. It’s good to know math and science, but also to be creative.
In conclusion, I believe schools should teach both creative and academic subjects. This will help students learn many different skills and be ready for their future.
Students engaged in collaborative art project
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout.
- Lexical Resource: Wide range of vocabulary used with flexibility and precision.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Wide range of structures used accurately and appropriately.
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, though some aspects are more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are generally well organized with clear overall progression.
- Lexical Resource: Sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, with some less common items used.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Mix of simple and complex sentence forms with generally good control.
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses the task only partially, with limited development of ideas.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are arranged coherently, but there may be a lack of overall progression.
- Lexical Resource: Limited range of vocabulary, but this is minimally adequate for the task.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Limited range of structures with some attempt to use complex sentences.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Curriculum (noun) /kəˈrɪkjələm/ – The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college
- Holistic (adjective) /həʊˈlɪstɪk/ – Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole
- Cognitive (adjective) /ˈkɒɡnɪtɪv/ – Related to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning
- Proficiency (noun) /prəˈfɪʃənsi/ – A high degree of skill or expertise
- Interdisciplinary (adjective) /ˌɪntədɪsəˈplɪnəri/ – Involving two or more academic disciplines
- Nurture (verb) /ˈnɜːtʃə/ – To care for and encourage the growth or development of
- Complement (verb) /ˈkɒmplɪment/ – Add to or enhance something in a way that improves its quality
- Integrate (verb) /ˈɪntɪɡreɪt/ – Combine one thing with another so that they become a whole
- Perspective (noun) /pəˈspektɪv/ – A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something
- Fundamental (adjective) /ˌfʌndəˈmentl/ – Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance
Conclusion
The topic of how art education fosters creativity in students is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 examinations. By understanding the different approaches to this question and practicing with sample essays, you can improve your ability to craft well-structured, coherent responses. Remember to balance your discussion of both viewpoints and clearly state your own opinion.
To further enhance your IELTS Writing skills, consider practicing with similar topics such as why education should focus on preparing students for the future job market or the importance of digital literacy in modern education. These themes are interconnected with the role of art education and can provide valuable perspectives for your essays.
We encourage you to practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and receive feedback from others preparing for the IELTS exam.