The topic of education’s role in promoting human rights is increasingly relevant in today’s globalized world. This theme has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and is likely to continue being a popular subject for future tests. Given its importance and frequency, it’s crucial for IELTS candidates to be well-prepared to address this topic. Let’s examine a specific question related to this theme and analyze how to approach it effectively.
Analyzing the Question
Let’s consider the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Some people believe that the primary purpose of education should be to teach children about human rights. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question asks you to consider the role of human rights education in the broader context of a child’s educational journey. It’s important to note that this is an opinion-based question, requiring you to express and justify your viewpoint.
Key points to consider:
- The phrase “primary purpose” suggests that human rights education would be the main focus, potentially overshadowing other subjects.
- The question doesn’t ask if human rights should be taught at all, but rather if it should be the main educational focus.
- You need to decide your level of agreement and support it with logical arguments and examples.
Sample Essay (Band 8-9)
Here’s a sample essay that could potentially score in the Band 8-9 range:
While education about human rights is undoubtedly important, I disagree with the notion that it should be the primary purpose of education for children. A well-rounded education system should encompass a broad range of subjects and skills, with human rights forming a significant but not dominant part of the curriculum.
Firstly, education serves multiple crucial purposes beyond teaching human rights. It aims to develop critical thinking skills, foster creativity, and impart knowledge across various disciplines such as science, mathematics, literature, and the arts. These subjects are fundamental in preparing children for future careers and personal growth. Overemphasizing human rights education at the expense of these core subjects could potentially limit children’s future opportunities and overall development.
However, this is not to say that human rights education should be neglected. On the contrary, it should be integrated throughout the curriculum. For instance, history lessons can explore past human rights violations and progress, literature can examine works that highlight human rights issues, and civics classes can delve into the principles and applications of human rights. This integrated approach ensures that students understand human rights in various contexts while still receiving a comprehensive education.
Moreover, education should also focus on developing skills that indirectly support human rights, such as empathy, critical thinking, and effective communication. These skills are essential for understanding and advocating for human rights in real-world situations. By fostering these abilities alongside subject-specific knowledge, education can create well-rounded individuals capable of promoting and defending human rights effectively.
In conclusion, while human rights education is undeniably important, it should not overshadow other essential aspects of a child’s education. A balanced approach that integrates human rights concepts across various subjects, while also developing critical skills, is more likely to produce informed, empathetic, and capable individuals who can contribute positively to society and uphold human rights principles.
(Word count: 298)
Sample Essay (Band 6-7)
Now, let’s look at a sample essay that might score in the Band 6-7 range:
Education is very important for children, and human rights is a big topic these days. However, I don’t think human rights should be the main thing taught in schools. There are many other things children need to learn too.
First, children need to learn basic subjects like math, science, and language. These subjects help them get good jobs in the future. If we only focus on human rights, children might not learn these important skills. For example, a child who only learns about human rights might not be able to do the math needed for many jobs.
But human rights are still important to learn about. Schools can teach human rights along with other subjects. In history class, students can learn about times when human rights were not respected. In language class, they can read stories about people fighting for their rights. This way, students learn about human rights while also learning other things.
Also, schools should teach children how to be good people. This includes being kind to others and understanding different cultures. These skills help children respect human rights in their daily lives. For instance, a child who learns to be kind to others is more likely to respect everyone’s rights when they grow up.
In conclusion, I think human rights should be part of education, but not the main focus. Schools should teach many subjects and skills to help children become smart and good people who understand and respect human rights.
(Word count: 241)
Key Points to Remember When Writing
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Essay Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The higher band essay has more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced argument.
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Vocabulary: The Band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases like “overemphasizing,” “integrated approach,” and “advocating for.” The Band 6-7 essay uses simpler language but still effectively conveys its points.
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Grammar: The higher band essay demonstrates a wider range of complex sentence structures. The Band 6-7 essay uses simpler structures but generally maintains grammatical accuracy.
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Task Response: Both essays address the question directly, but the Band 8-9 essay provides a more detailed and nuanced response with stronger supporting arguments.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The Band 8-9 essay shows better paragraph and idea linking, creating a more cohesive argument. The Band 6-7 essay is coherent but with less sophisticated linking.
Important Vocabulary to Remember
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Human rights (noun) /ˌhjuːmən ˈraɪts/ – The basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled
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Curriculum (noun) /kəˈrɪkjələm/ – The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college
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Empathy (noun) /ˈempəθi/ – The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
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Advocacy (noun) /ˈædvəkəsi/ – Public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy
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Integration (noun) /ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn/ – The action or process of combining one thing with another
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Critical thinking (noun) /ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ – The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment
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Well-rounded (adjective) /ˌwel ˈraʊndɪd/ – Having a personality that is fully developed in all aspects
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Overshadow (verb) /ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ/ – To appear more prominent or important than something else
Remember to use these words appropriately in your essays to demonstrate a wide vocabulary range.
Conclusion
The role of education in promoting human rights is a complex and important topic that’s likely to appear in various forms in IELTS Writing Task 2. While the sample question we’ve explored focuses on whether human rights should be the primary purpose of education, you might encounter related questions such as:
- How can schools effectively teach human rights to young children?
- Should human rights education be mandatory in all schools globally?
- What role does education play in reducing human rights violations?
To prepare for these potential questions, practice writing essays that discuss the intersection of education and human rights from different angles. Remember to always 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 is one of the most effective ways to improve your IELTS writing skills. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!
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