IELTS Writing Task 2

Q: Some experts believe that it is better to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweight the disadvantages?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Nowadays, languages play a crucial role in an environment which is always more international with all the benefits and disadvantages deriving from it. Although many IT companies are developing devices which promises to translate instantly conversations from one language to another, it is a truth universally acknowledged that learning new languages is useful and may help the development of several social skills. Consequently, this can be important for the new generations which will face a world constantly changing. For this reason, there is a great debate regarding the age at which children should approach the learning of foreign languages.

Many experts assert that is better to learn a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. This is probably due to the fact that the human being learns faster in young age since she/he tends to absorb any piece of information around her/him like a sponge.

Other experts, instead, state that a foreign language should not be taught until primary school is up. This can be linked to the stress which may affect children who are learning two idioms simultaneously. This may lead to a poor knowledge of both languages, with an overall effect which is negative for the pupils.

I think that it is useful to start learning a foreign language, albeit basic, at primary school since it can provide a first knowledge which works as a starting point for the future refinement of the skills. However, any sort of pressure should be placed on the children because, notably in that age, they may have problems to learn a foreign language, whereas they are not familiar even with their native one. Therefore, it could be developed the idea of learning by playing which has been proved to be effective in young age.

TOT: 296 words