You should spend about 40 minutes on IELTS writing task 2.
The best curriculum is not one based on a static body of knowledge, but one which teaches students to cope with change. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.
Sample Answer
Plenty of schools and educational institutes worldwide have been teaching obsolete subjects and concepts to generations. Many would argue that today’s schools should focus more on adaptability than traditional, discrete subjects. In my opinion, although there is a strong argument for this contention given the disruptive nature of modern industries, it is nonetheless essential to preserve the traditional role of subjects in a curriculum. This essay shall highlight my opinion in the upcoming paragraphs.
Those who support this reform contend that the skills needed for the modern work environment are changing rapidly. Past generations could rely on subjects learned in high school and university, such as those related to accounting, finance, and so on, providing lasting job security. This guarantee is less stable now due to advances in automation and technology. For instance, human workers are being phased out of specific roles and jobs at many companies and replaced by cheap software as the former cannot update their skills as fast as the latter. Therefore, schools should teach adaptable methods for handling change to help them cope with an uncertain future job market.
Logically, most of the subjects, such as math, sciences, history, physical education, etc., will not yield practical skills used daily throughout life, which is the source of many later complaints about the school curriculum. An excellent example of this would be Steve Jobs’s classes about calligraphy in university, which later informed the lasting design of computer interfaces and word processors.
In conclusion, despite realistic employment apprehensions, it is indispensable for students to possess foundational knowledge about various disciplines. Moreover, the contrast between subject knowledge and flexible skills is not always essential.
Structure of the essay
You were given an Agree/Disagree essay which means you had to pick a side. So,
- Do you agree that the best curriculum is not one based on a static body of knowledge but one which teaches students to cope with change?
(or)
- Do you disagree that the best curriculum is not one based on a static body of knowledge but one which teaches students to cope with change?
Once you pick a side, you can start planning your essay and then writing it. Don’t forget to state your opinion on it.
General Statement – Plenty of schools and educational institutes worldwide have been teaching obsolete subjects and concepts to generations.
Question Paraphrased – Many would argue that today’s schools should focus more on adaptability than traditional, discrete subjects.
A thesis statement – In my opinion, although there is a strong argument for this contention given the disruptive nature of modern industries, it is nonetheless essential to preserve the traditional role of subjects in a curriculum.
Outline of the essay – This essay shall highlight my opinion in the upcoming paragraphs.
Body Paragraph 1:
Central idea: Skills needed for modern workforces are changing rapidly. Supporting points:
- Past generations could rely on subjects learned in high school and university.
- The guarantee is less stable now due to advances in automation and technology.
- For example, human workers are being phased out of roles and jobs at many companies by software as humans cannot update their skills as fast as software.
Body Paragraph 2:
Central idea: Most of the subjects will not yield practical skills used daily Supporting points:
- Math, sciences, history, physical education, etc. is not used throughout life
- It is a source of many later complaints about school curricula
- For example, Steve Jobs’s classes about calligraphy were used later in the lasting design of computer interfaces and word processors.
Conclusion:
Reiterated that despite realistic employment apprehensions, it is indispensable for students to possess foundational knowledge about various disciplines and supported the side taken in the introduction.