Volunteer tourism, often referred to as “voluntourism,” has become an increasingly popular topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This theme combines elements of travel, social responsibility, and community development, making it a rich subject for discussion. Based on recent trends, we can expect to see more questions related to the importance of volunteer tourism in community aid appearing in future IELTS exams.
Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in past IELTS exams:
Some people believe that tourists should accept local traditions and behave like local people when traveling in other countries. Others think that this is unnecessary. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Analysis of the Question
This question, while not directly mentioning volunteer tourism, touches on the core principles of cultural sensitivity and integration that are crucial in voluntourism. The task requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that tourists should adapt to local customs
- Discuss the opposing view that such adaptation is unnecessary
- Provide and justify their own opinion on the matter
Now, let’s look at three sample essays addressing this question, each targeting a different band score.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Globalization has made international travel more accessible than ever before, leading to increased cultural exchanges between tourists and local communities. While some argue that visitors should fully embrace local traditions and customs, others contend that this level of adaptation is not essential. In my opinion, while complete assimilation is unnecessary, tourists should make a sincere effort to respect and understand local cultures.
Proponents of cultural adaptation argue that it enhances the travel experience and fosters mutual understanding. By adopting local customs, tourists can gain deeper insights into the host culture, leading to more meaningful interactions and personal growth. This approach also demonstrates respect for the local community, potentially reducing cultural misunderstandings and conflicts. For instance, in countries where modest dress is the norm, tourists who adhere to these standards are likely to be more warmly received and may have access to experiences that would otherwise be closed off to them.
On the other hand, those who believe such adaptation is unnecessary often cite the importance of maintaining one’s own cultural identity and the practical challenges of fully adopting unfamiliar customs. They argue that diversity among visitors can itself be a source of cultural exchange and that expecting tourists to behave exactly like locals is unrealistic and potentially inauthentic. Moreover, some aspects of local culture may conflict with a visitor’s personal beliefs or values, making complete adaptation problematic.
In my view, the ideal approach lies somewhere between these two extremes. While tourists need not abandon their own cultural identities entirely, showing respect and making an effort to understand and participate in local customs can greatly enrich the travel experience for both visitors and hosts. This balanced approach aligns well with the principles of responsible tourism and voluntourism, where visitors aim to make positive contributions to local communities while also learning from them.
In conclusion, while full adoption of local customs by tourists is not necessary, a respectful and open-minded approach to cultural differences is crucial. This perspective not only enhances the individual travel experience but also contributes to more positive and sustainable interactions between tourists and local communities worldwide.
Volunteer tourists engaging with local community members
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In today’s globalized world, international travel has become very common. Some people think that tourists should follow local traditions and act like local people when they visit other countries, while others believe this is not necessary. I will discuss both views and give my own opinion.
Those who support adapting to local customs say it shows respect and helps tourists have a better experience. When visitors try to follow local traditions, they can learn more about the culture and avoid offending people. For example, in some countries, it’s important to remove shoes before entering homes or religious places. Tourists who do this show they care about local customs.
On the other hand, people who think it’s unnecessary to act like locals argue that it’s too difficult and not always practical. Tourists are only visiting for a short time and can’t learn everything about a new culture quickly. Also, some tourists might feel uncomfortable changing their behavior too much. They believe it’s okay to be different and that locals understand tourists are not the same as them.
In my opinion, tourists should try to respect local customs but don’t need to change everything about themselves. It’s good to learn some basic rules and traditions of the place you’re visiting, like how to greet people or what clothes are appropriate. However, tourists shouldn’t feel pressured to act exactly like locals all the time. The most important thing is to be polite and show interest in the local culture.
To conclude, while it’s not necessary for tourists to completely adopt local ways, making an effort to understand and respect the culture of the places they visit is important. This approach can lead to better experiences for both tourists and local people.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Nowadays, many people travel to other countries. Some think tourists should follow local traditions and act like local people, but others say it’s not important. I will talk about both ideas and give my opinion.
People who say tourists should act like locals think it’s good for respect. When tourists try to do things like local people, they can learn more about the country. For example, if tourists wear traditional clothes, local people might be happy. It can help tourists make friends with local people too.
But some people think tourists don’t need to change how they act. They say it’s hard for tourists to know all the local ways in a short time. Also, tourists might feel strange if they have to do everything differently. Some think it’s okay for tourists to be different because they are not from that country.
I think tourists should try to respect local traditions but don’t have to do everything the same. It’s good to learn some important things about the country you visit, like how to say hello or what not to do in public. But tourists don’t need to change everything about themselves. The most important thing is to be nice and show you’re interested in learning about the place.
In conclusion, tourists don’t have to act exactly like local people, but it’s good to show respect for the country they visit. This can make the trip better for everyone.
Tourists learning local customs from community members
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Task Response: Fully addresses all parts of the task with a clear position throughout.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Logically organized with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Wide range of vocabulary used with flexibility and precision.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy.
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses all parts of the task, though some parts may be more fully covered than others.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are generally arranged coherently, with some use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, with some attempts at less common words.
- 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 position throughout.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Information and ideas are arranged coherently but with limited use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: Limited range of vocabulary, adequate for basic communication.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Limited range of structures with some attempts at complex sentences.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
Globalization (noun) – /ˌɡləʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ – The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.
Cultural exchange (noun phrase) – /ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/ – The sharing of ideas, traditions, and customs between different cultures.
Assimilation (noun) – /əˌsɪmɪˈleɪʃən/ – The process of adopting the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.
Mutual understanding (noun phrase) – /ˈmjuːtʃuəl ˌʌndəˈstændɪŋ/ – Comprehension and appreciation shared between two or more parties.
Sustainable (adjective) – /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting resources.
Voluntourism (noun) – /ˌvɒlənˈtʊərɪzəm/ – A form of tourism in which travelers participate in voluntary work, typically for a charity.
Cultural sensitivity (noun phrase) – /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˌsensɪˈtɪvɪti/ – Awareness and respect for cultural differences and their implications.
Adaptation (noun) – /ædæpˈteɪʃən/ – The process of changing to fit a new environment or situation.
Authentic (adjective) – /ɔːˈθentɪk/ – Genuine or real, not fake or imitation.
Enriching (adjective) – /ɪnˈrɪtʃɪŋ/ – Making someone or something better by adding to or improving their good qualities.
In conclusion, the topic of volunteer tourism and its importance in community aid is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. As you prepare for your exam, consider practicing with similar topics such as:
- The impact of mass tourism on local cultures
- The role of education in promoting cultural understanding
- The balance between preserving traditions and embracing modernity in tourism
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and always address all parts of the question. Feel free to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments for feedback and discussion. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!