Music and art education has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams, appearing with moderate frequency over the past few years. This topic is likely to continue being relevant in future tests due to its importance in educational debates worldwide. Based on past exam trends, we can expect questions focusing on the benefits of music and art education for student development. Let’s explore a sample question that closely resembles those seen in recent IELTS exams:
Some people think that music and the arts are just as important as other school subjects, especially at the primary level. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question asks for your opinion on the importance of music and arts education compared to other subjects in primary schools. Key points to consider:
- The importance of music and arts
- Comparison with other school subjects
- Focus on primary education level
- Your level of agreement or disagreement
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-scoring response.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In my opinion, music and the arts are indeed just as crucial as other subjects in primary education, if not more so. This essay will explore the reasons behind this stance and its potential impact on student development.
Firstly, music and arts education play a vital role in fostering creativity and self-expression in young learners. Unlike more structured subjects such as mathematics or science, the arts provide children with an outlet for their imagination and emotions. This freedom of expression is essential for their cognitive and emotional development, helping them to understand and process the world around them in unique ways.
Moreover, engagement in music and arts has been shown to enhance academic performance across other subjects. Studies have demonstrated that students who participate in music programs often exhibit improved mathematical skills, as musical rhythms and patterns share similarities with mathematical concepts. Similarly, the visual arts can aid in developing spatial reasoning and problem-solving abilities, which are valuable in subjects like geometry and physics.
Additionally, arts education contributes significantly to the development of crucial soft skills. Through group projects, performances, and exhibitions, students learn teamwork, communication, and time management. These skills are not only essential for their academic journey but also for their future careers and personal lives. The role of art and music in promoting mental well-being is also noteworthy, as these subjects can provide stress relief and emotional outlets for students.
However, it is important to acknowledge that traditional academic subjects remain fundamental to a well-rounded education. The key lies in striking a balance. By integrating arts education with other subjects, schools can create a more holistic learning environment that caters to diverse learning styles and intelligences.
In conclusion, music and the arts are indeed as important as other subjects in primary education due to their role in fostering creativity, enhancing academic performance, and developing essential life skills. A balanced curriculum that gives equal importance to arts and traditional subjects can provide students with the best foundation for their future academic and personal growth.
Music and art education in primary school
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
I agree that music and arts are important subjects in primary schools, but I’m not sure if they are as important as other subjects. There are good reasons to include them in the curriculum, but also some limitations to consider.
One main benefit of music and art education is that it helps children be more creative. When kids paint, draw, or make music, they use their imagination and express themselves. This is good for their overall development and can make them more confident. Also, these subjects can be fun and make school more enjoyable for many students.
Another advantage is that arts can help with learning other subjects. For example, music can help with math because it involves patterns and counting. Drawing can improve handwriting skills. So, these subjects don’t just stand alone but can support learning in other areas too.
However, we must remember that subjects like math, science, and language are very important for children’s future education and careers. These subjects provide essential skills that students will need throughout their lives. Schools have limited time and resources, so they need to prioritize these core subjects.
Also, not all students are interested in or talented in music and arts. While these subjects should be available, they might not be as crucial for every student’s development as the main academic subjects.
In conclusion, while music and arts are valuable in primary education, I believe they should be part of a balanced curriculum rather than being considered equally important as core subjects. Schools should find a way to include arts education without compromising the time spent on essential academic skills.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
I think music and arts are good for students in primary schools. They help kids learn different things and can be fun. But I don’t think they are as important as other subjects like math and science.
Music and art classes are nice because they let kids be creative. Children can draw pictures or play instruments, which is enjoyable for them. These classes also help students express their feelings, which is good for their emotions.
Sometimes, art and music can help with other subjects too. For example, when kids learn music, they might get better at counting because of rhythms. Drawing can help make their hands better at writing.
But other subjects are more important for children’s future. Math, science, and language are needed for many jobs and for studying more in the future. Schools don’t have much time, so they need to focus on these main subjects more.
Not all students like music and art. Some kids might not be good at these subjects, so it’s not fair to say they are as important as other classes for everyone.
In conclusion, music and art are good subjects for primary schools, but I don’t agree that they are as important as other main subjects. Schools should have some music and art classes, but they should spend more time on subjects that all students need for their future.
Explaining the Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
- Presents a clear position throughout the essay
- Logically organizes ideas with clear progression
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control
- Uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy
- Has no noticeable errors in grammar and spelling
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a relevant position, but the conclusions may become unclear or repetitive
- Arranges information coherently and there is clear overall progression
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task with some errors in word choice
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
- May have some errors in grammar and punctuation but they rarely reduce communication
Band 5-6 Essay:
- Addresses the task only partially; the format may be inappropriate in places
- Expresses a position but the development is not always clear
- Presents information with some organization but there may be a lack of overall progression
- Uses a limited range of vocabulary, but this is minimally adequate for the task
- May make noticeable errors in spelling and/or word formation that may cause some difficulty for the reader
- Uses only a limited range of structures with only rare use of subordinate clauses
- Some errors in grammar and punctuation noticeable and may cause some difficulty for the reader
Student writing IELTS essay
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Foster (verb) /ˈfɒstə(r)/ – to encourage the development of something
- Cognitive (adjective) /ˈkɒɡnətɪv/ – related to the mental process of understanding
- Spatial reasoning (noun phrase) /ˈspeɪʃl ˈriːzənɪŋ/ – the ability to visualize and manipulate objects and shapes in your mind
- Holistic (adjective) /həˈlɪstɪk/ – characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected and can be explained only by reference to the whole
- Curriculum (noun) /kəˈrɪkjələm/ – the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college
- Prioritize (verb) /praɪˈɒrətaɪz/ – to decide which of a group of things are the most important so that you can deal with them first
- Well-rounded (adjective) /ˌwel ˈraʊndɪd/ – having a personality that is fully developed in all aspects
- Integration (noun) /ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn/ – the act of combining or adding parts to make a unified whole
In conclusion, the topic of music and art education in schools, particularly at the primary level, is a significant one in IELTS Writing Task 2. It requires careful consideration of various aspects such as creativity, academic performance, and overall student development. When approaching such topics, it’s crucial to present a clear position, provide relevant examples, and consider multiple perspectives.
For further practice, you might consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of creative subjects in developing critical thinking skills
- The balance between arts and sciences in school curricula
- The impact of reduced arts funding on student development
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 prepare for the IELTS exam.
The benefits of incorporating arts into STEM education is another interesting angle to explore in this context, as it highlights the interdisciplinary nature of modern education. Remember, consistent practice and exposure to various topics will help you become more confident and proficient in IELTS Writing Task 2.