Financial literacy is a crucial life skill, and its importance is increasingly recognized in education systems worldwide. As a result, questions about teaching children financial responsibility have become more prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2. This topic has appeared in various forms in recent years and is likely to continue being a popular choice for examiners. Let’s examine a relevant question and provide sample essays to help you prepare for this type of task.
Children learning financial literacy
Analyzing the Question
Let’s consider the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Some people believe that schools should teach children how to manage money. Others think that this is the responsibility of parents. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question falls under the “discuss both views and give your opinion” category. It requires you to:
- Explain why some people think schools should teach financial management to children
- Discuss why others believe this is a parental responsibility
- Provide your own perspective on the issue
Now, let’s look at two sample essays addressing this question – one aiming for a Band 8-9 score and another for a Band 6-7 score.
Sample Essay for Band 8-9
Financial literacy is an essential life skill, and there is ongoing debate about whether it should be taught in schools or left to parents. While both viewpoints have merit, I believe a collaborative approach between educational institutions and families would be most effective.
Those who advocate for schools to teach financial management argue that it ensures all children receive standardized, comprehensive education on the subject. Schools have the resources and expertise to develop structured curricula that cover various aspects of personal finance, from basic budgeting to more complex concepts like investing and debt management. Moreover, learning about money management in a classroom setting allows children to discuss and explore these ideas with peers, potentially leading to a deeper understanding through collaborative learning.
On the other hand, proponents of parental responsibility in financial education emphasize the personalized nature of money management. Parents can tailor lessons to their family’s specific financial situation and values, providing real-world context that may be more meaningful to children. Additionally, financial habits are often formed through observation and practice at home, making parents natural role models for their children’s financial behavior.
In my opinion, the most effective approach would be a combination of school-based education and parental guidance. Schools can provide a solid foundation of financial knowledge and skills, while parents can reinforce these lessons through practical application in daily life. This collaborative model ensures that children receive both structured learning and real-world experience in managing money.
To implement this effectively, schools could introduce financial literacy programs that include take-home activities involving parents. This would bridge the gap between classroom learning and home application, encouraging open discussions about money within families. Furthermore, schools could offer workshops for parents to enhance their own financial knowledge, empowering them to be more effective teachers at home.
In conclusion, while both schools and parents have important roles to play in teaching children about financial responsibility, a combined effort would yield the best results. By leveraging the strengths of both educational institutions and family environments, we can ensure that the next generation is well-equipped to make sound financial decisions throughout their lives.
(Word count: 345)
Sample Essay for Band 6-7
There is a debate about whether schools or parents should teach children how to manage money. Both sides have good points, and I think both schools and parents should be involved in teaching kids about money.
People who think schools should teach financial management say that it’s important for all children to learn about money. Schools can make sure everyone gets the same information about budgeting, saving, and spending wisely. Teachers can use special lessons and activities to help students understand money concepts. Also, when kids learn about money with their classmates, they can share ideas and learn from each other.
On the other hand, some people believe parents should be responsible for teaching their children about money. They say that parents know their family’s financial situation best and can give real examples to their children. Parents can show their kids how to use money in everyday life, like when shopping or saving for something special. Children often learn by watching their parents, so parents can be good examples of how to handle money.
I think the best way is for both schools and parents to work together in teaching children about money. Schools can teach the basic ideas and skills, while parents can show how to use these skills in real life. For example, schools could have lessons about saving money, and then parents could help their children open a savings account and practice saving at home.
To make this work well, schools could give homework that involves parents in money lessons. This way, families can talk about money together and practice what the children learn in school. Schools could also have special classes for parents to learn more about money, so they can teach their children better at home.
In conclusion, I believe that teaching children about money is important, and it works best when schools and parents both help. This way, children can learn about money in different ways and be ready to manage their own money in the future.
(Word count: 329)
Key Points to Remember When Writing
Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs discussing each viewpoint, the writer’s opinion, and a conclusion. The Band 8-9 essay has more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced conclusion.
Vocabulary: The Band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases (e.g., “standardized, comprehensive education,” “collaborative approach”), while the Band 6-7 essay uses simpler language but still maintains clarity.
Grammar: The higher band essay demonstrates a wider range of complex structures, while the Band 6-7 essay uses simpler sentence structures but still maintains accuracy.
Task Response: Both essays address all parts of the question, but the Band 8-9 essay provides more detailed explanations and a more developed personal opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The Band 8-9 essay shows better use of cohesive devices and idea development, while the Band 6-7 essay is still clear but with simpler connections between ideas.
Challenging 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
- Collaborative (adjective) /kəˈlæbərətɪv/ – involving two or more parties working together
- Proponent (noun) /prəˈpoʊnənt/ – a person who advocates for or supports something
- Reinforce (verb) /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrs/ – to strengthen or support
- Empower (verb) /ɪmˈpaʊər/ – to give someone the authority or power to do something
- Leverage (verb) /ˈlevərɪdʒ/ – to use something to maximum advantage
- Standardized (adjective) /ˈstændərdaɪzd/ – having a uniform basis or procedure
- Comprehensive (adjective) /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/ – including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
- Personalized (adjective) /ˈpɜːrsənəlaɪzd/ – designed or produced to meet someone’s individual requirements
In conclusion, the topic of teaching children financial responsibility is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as the role of financial education in schools, the importance of financial literacy for young adults, or the impact of early financial education on future economic stability. Remember to analyze the question carefully, plan your response, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriate to your target band score.
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare for the IELTS exam. Good luck with your studies!