Mindfulness and meditation in schools has become an increasingly relevant topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on analysis of past exam papers, questions about mental health and wellbeing programs in education have appeared regularly since 2019, with a notable increase during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s examine an actual IELTS question that represents this growing trend.
Mindfulness and meditation in schools has gained significant attention as educators seek ways to support students’ mental health and academic performance.
Question Analysis
Some people believe that schools should include mindfulness and meditation programs in their curriculum to help students manage stress and improve focus. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
This question requires candidates to:
- Express their position on implementing mindfulness programs in schools
- Evaluate the potential benefits and challenges
- Support arguments with relevant examples
- Provide a clear conclusion
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
In recent years, there has been growing advocacy for incorporating The benefits of mindfulness in schools into educational curricula. I strongly agree with this proposal as it offers numerous advantages for students’ mental wellbeing and academic performance.
First and foremost, mindfulness and meditation programs can equip students with valuable stress management tools. In today’s high-pressure academic environment, students face unprecedented levels of stress from examinations, peer competition, and social media influences. Through regular mindfulness practice, they can develop crucial coping mechanisms that help regulate emotions and reduce anxiety. For instance, simple breathing exercises and guided meditation sessions can provide immediate relief during challenging situations, enabling students to maintain composure and make better decisions.
Furthermore, these programs can significantly enhance students’ concentration and learning capabilities. Research has consistently shown that regular meditation practice improves attention span, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. When students learn to focus their minds through meditation, they become more efficient learners, better able to absorb and retain information. This is particularly relevant in our digital age, where constant distractions pose significant challenges to sustained attention.
However, successful implementation requires careful consideration of practical aspects. Schools must ensure that teachers receive proper training in mindfulness instruction and that programs are age-appropriate and culturally sensitive. Additionally, these initiatives should be integrated thoughtfully into existing schedules without compromising core academic subjects.
In conclusion, introducing mindfulness and meditation programs in schools represents a forward-thinking approach to how to promote mental health in education. The benefits of enhanced emotional regulation and improved cognitive function far outweigh the implementation challenges, making this a worthy investment in students’ overall development.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
Nowadays, many schools think about adding meditation and mindfulness to help students. I agree this is a good idea because it can help students in many ways.
The main reason I support this is because students have lots of stress. When they learn meditation, they can feel more relaxed and calm. For example, in my country, many students worry about exams and homework, but after doing meditation at school, they feel better. Also, some students have problems at home or with friends, and meditation helps them deal with these problems.
Another good thing about meditation in schools is it helps students focus better. When students practice mindfulness, they can pay more attention in class and remember things better. This means they might get better grades and learn more. I have seen this happen with my cousin who started meditation at his school last year.
How to support children with emotional challenges is important, and meditation can help. However, some problems might happen. Some teachers don’t know how to teach meditation properly, and some students might not take it seriously. Schools need to think about these things carefully.
To conclude, I think schools should have meditation programs because they help students with stress and studying. But schools must plan these programs carefully to make them work well.
Key Vocabulary
- mindfulness (n) /ˈmaɪnd.fəl.nəs/ – the practice of being aware of your body, mind, and feelings
- meditation (n) /ˌmed.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/ – the act of meditating
- cognitive flexibility (n) /ˈkɒɡ.nə.tɪv ˌflək.sə.ˈbɪl.ə.ti/ – ability to adapt thinking
- implementation (n) /ˌɪm.plɪ.menˈteɪ.ʃən/ – the process of putting a plan into action
- emotional regulation (n) /ɪˈməʊ.ʃən.əl ˌreg.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən/ – ability to control emotions
Suggested Practice Topics
- Should meditation be mandatory in all schools?
- How can schools balance academic and mental health programs?
- What role should teachers play in students’ mental wellbeing?
Feel free to practice writing an essay on these topics and share in the comments for feedback!