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33 Interesting Writing Prompts for Language Learners (of All Levels)

When your language teachers and tutors advise you to get more writing practice , it can be hard to follow their guidance.

If your daily life isn’t action-packed, keeping a diary in your target language can get boring and repetitive, but what other topics can you discuss?

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, there are plenty of great things to write about. Here are 33 writing prompts for language learners to get you started.

Beginner Writing Prompts

1. who are you, 2. what are your favorite hobbies, 3. what’s your family like, 4. what’s your best friend like, 5. where do you live, 6. what’s your favorite food, 7. what’s your favorite season, 8. what’s your favorite movie or tv show, 9. describe your daily routine., 10. what are you going to do this weekend, 11. what’s your favorite animal, intermediate writing prompts, 12. what’s the funniest thing that has ever happened to you, 13. where would you like to go on vacation, 14. what’s the best vacation, trip or outing you’ve ever had, 15. where do you see yourself in five years, 16. what are your goals for the future, 17. what were you like as a child, 18. write a poem (rhyming or not) about something that inspires you., 19. pretend you’re instructing someone on how to do your favorite activity., 20. what’s your favorite (or your family’s favorite) tradition.

• 21. What do you think the world will be like in 50 years? 

22. Why is education important?

Advanced writing prompts, 23. if you were given three wishes, what would you wish for, 24. what do you think the most significant world problem is, 25. if you could change one thing about society, what would you change, 26. how has the internet affected communication how do you see it affecting communication in the future, 27. what do you think would be an ideal political system does an ideal system exist, 28. who’s responsible for poverty why does it exist, and how could it be resolved, 29. what’s your favorite literary work, and what has it taught you, 30. if you could teach your future children or other children of the future one lesson, what would it be, 31. what medical issues have you or your loved ones faced how did you handle them or how do you continue to handle them, 32. what topics are not adequately addressed in schools today why should these topics be addressed more, 33. describe a recent world event. what are the potential consequences of this event, why use foreign language writing prompts, how to get the most out of writing prompts for language learners, and one more thing....

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Beginning level students usually know basic vocabulary related to describing people, weather, food, animals, routines and related topics.

Writing as a beginning student can be a bit tricky because you don’t yet have a vast vocabulary. Additionally, your verb conjugation abilities are probably limited, so you may need to stick to the present tense.

These writing prompts can be answered with simple, general vocabulary and present tense verbs , so they’re ideal for beginning students.

You can take this question in a wide variety of directions. Based on what vocabulary you want to practice, you might describe your appearance, your job and/or your interests. If you want to try using more advanced-level vocabulary, you could try getting more philosophical with your response.

Everyone has something they like to do. What are your favorite hobbies? If your vocabulary is limited, you might try simple responses, like “I like sports.” However, as your vocabulary gets more advanced, you can add more detail into your response. For instance, “I like sports, especially soccer. My favorite thing about soccer is hitting the ball with my head.”

What do they look like? What are their personalities like? How is each person related to you? What are their interests? This prompt can be used for quick, easy writing practice or for a book-length extended project.

You can describe your friend physically, describe their personality and/or explain what you like to do together. If you already know some past tense verbs, you might even tell a story about something that happened with your friend in the past to illustrate what your friend is like.

You could even break this one down into a series of prompts. Describe your neighborhood. Describe your city. Describe your state. Describe your country. You might discuss the layout, culture, businesses, natural environment or how you feel about your location.

Not only can you name the dish and list the ingredients, you can also describe how it tastes. As your language skills progress, you might even try explaining how the dish is made.

With this prompt, you can address a variety of subtopics. What is the weather like? What does the season look like? How does it feel? What events or holidays happen during the season?

You can describe what happens in the movie or TV show in either past or present tense. You might also note the genre and/or describe the characters.

Major bonus points if you can describe a Netflix movie or TV show  that you also watch in your target language!

Beginning students commonly learn words related to daily routines, so go through your day and explain what you do. When do you wake up? How do you get ready for work or school? What do you eat for breakfast? When do you leave for work or school? How do you get there? What do you do once you’re there? What do you eat for lunch? When do you leave? What do you eat for dinner? How do you relax in the evening?

This question can be a little more advanced in that you could use future tense verbs. However, if you don’t yet know future tense, depending on what your target language is, you may be able to simply use “I am going to…” constructions. Writing about your plans can help you practice words for common activities and prepare you for real conversations you may have with native speakers.

You might describe the animal, what it looks like, what it eats, where it lives, etc. This can give you practice with animal words, physical descriptions, food words and location-related vocabulary.

As an intermediate writer, it’s time to up your game. Now, you can use a broader range of vocabulary words and verb tenses. These prompts will help you make good use of your advancing skills.

Whip out your past tense verbs for this one! Consider writing the story of the funniest thing you’ve experienced. Maybe it’s something that happened to you or maybe it’s just something you witnessed. Regardless, this will give you practice with more diverse vocabulary and past tense verbs.

This prompt invites you to give your conditional verb tenses a workout. Where would you like to go? Why would you like to visit this location? What would you like to do there? Who would you go with?

Describing the best out-of-the-ordinary experience you’ve had, whether a vacation or any other break from daily routine, gives you an opportunity to use plenty of past tense verbs. You might even work in some less common verbs to describe specific activities you participated in, like snorkeling or skiing. You can describe the experience, who you were with, what you did and what made it so enjoyable. Feeling nostalgic? Look at old photos if you have them and describe them in your target language.

Oh, the age-old interview question! In your native language, it’s probably an uncomfortable opportunity to reflect on your goals, but in your target language, it can be a valuable way to practice using future, conditional and/or subjunctive verb tenses while also employing industry-specific vocabulary.

Plus, if you ever need to do a job interview in your target language, you’ll be happy you have the practice. If you like this prompt, you might even consider using some of  The Muse’s list of common interview questions  for additional writing prompts.

What do you hope to achieve in your life? You might use future tense here, but if you prefer present tense, you can use an “I want to…” or related construction. From there, you can use all sorts of vocabulary words related to your career, family, housing, etc.

Use past tense to describe yourself as a child. You might describe your appearance or personality. To work in more advanced vocabulary, you might also note in what ways you challenged your parents and what you wanted to be when you grew up.

Writing poetry can be a fun way to use your language skills. To make it a little trickier, write in rhyme. You can write about whatever you like, but you can’t go wrong with a love poem. After all, you can always re-purpose it down the road if need be.

Whether it’s cooking, painting or playing Fortnite, this will require the use of commands and a strong vocabulary related to whatever activity you write about.

Whether they’re monthly or yearly, passed down through generations or made up on the spot, traditions shared by people can be a lot of fun. But they also afford a lot of opportunities to use whatever verb conjugations you need to practice. You can talk about your favorite tradition from the past, how you practice it today or how you hope to practice it in the future. You could even instruct readers on how to adopt your favorite tradition.

21. What do you think the world will be like in 50 years?  

Think about society, culture and major world issues. How do you think everything will change and evolve? Not only can you use future tense verbs, but this prompt will give you the opportunity to use more advanced vocabulary related to science, technology, culture and/or politics. Depending on your vision, you could even expand your work into a sci-fi or dystopian novel.

This prompt could work with either present tense or conditional verbs. However, more importantly, it invites you to use plenty of more advanced vocabulary relating to learning, careers and society. Responding to this prompt could even serve as extra motivation by reminding you why education or learning of any kind (including your language learning) is so important to you.

As an advanced student, you should be aiming to write without having to think too much. You should be able to navigate seamlessly between any verb tenses and use your large and diverse vocabulary effectively. These prompts aim to help you exercise a broad array of skills.

Okay, you might not have a genie in a bottle, but what would you ask for if you did? This question invites the use of conditional tense verbs. Plus, the vocabulary you use is likely to be as diverse and varied as your dreams.

Writing about current world problems can help you use vocabulary words that are relevant today but might not be terribly common. While you could use present tense, you might also use future and/or conditional tense to examine how this issue could cause long-term consequences.

Take this world’s problems and turn them around! Considering what you would change about society will give you an opportunity to use conditional tense and/or commands to explain what needs to change and how.

Past and future tense in one prompt? How can you resist? Not only that, this prompt invites you to use the latest technology-related words, which are super useful for advanced learners.

This prompt invites you to use advanced vocabulary related to politics and society. Plus, you can use it to practice the conditional tense, future tense and/or subjunctive tense verbs.

This question may feel nearly impossible to answer in your native language, so it will be even more challenging in your target language. However, if you give it a try, you’ll be able to practice words related to society and politics. While you’ll probably use mostly present tense verbs, you might also work in some conditional, subjunctive, future and/or past tense.

Using key literary terms is often reserved for academia, so writing about your favorite literary work will certainly give your vocabulary a workout. While this will be largely in present tense, you might throw in a few other verb tenses for good measure.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned? Why do you want others to learn it? This question is complex enough that you might incorporate a huge array of verb tenses.

Medical terminology can be a little tricky, but practicing using it is useful , particularly if it relates to a medical condition you or loved ones have. Writing about medical issues and their treatments will reinforce medical vocabulary and past tense verbs. Plus, if you ever experience a medical emergency abroad, you might be relieved to have practiced relevant vocabulary.

You’re educated. You know what’s up. What do you think should be covered more in schools? Addressing this issue gives you an opportunity to use education terms, present tense verbs and conditional verbs.

Not only can you use vocabulary that’s currently relevant, you can also use an array of verb tenses. Start with past tense and then transition to future, conditional and/or subjunctive tenses. Using this writing prompt can help you practice transitioning smoothly between tenses.

• Using foreign language writing prompts can help reduce anxiety when writing in your target language . Staring at a blank page can be stressful and can make you want to procrastinate trying to write, but writing prompts can make writing seem less like hard work.
• You can also use foreign language writing prompts to determine what vocabulary and/or grammar you need to work on . Writing can help you detect what grammar rules you’re struggling with and what holes in your vocabulary you need to fill.
• Writing prompts can help you keep your target language in shape . Skills can slip over time, so continuing to practice your writing can help prevent backsliding.
• Using writing prompts can help make it so that writing in your target language feels easy and requires less conscious effort .  Writing in a foreign language is a skill like any other. The more you practice it, the easier it will become.
• Don’t just write. Read. To write well in your target language, you’ll need to also read in your target language. Luckily, there are plenty of places to read content in your target language .  Project Gutenberg  offers many classic works in several languages, and  BBC News  gives you news stories in a variety of languages.
• Write as often as possible. Writing as often as possible not only gives you the practice you need to improve your skills, it also keeps you in the habit. If you set aside a few minutes each day for your writing practice, you’re less likely to forget to do it.
• Try to use specific rules or vocabulary you’ve recently learned. Trying to use specific grammar rules and vocabulary you’ve recently learned is a terrific way to practice using your new skills. It reinforces them and makes them easier to use the next time.
• As you write, note what you’re struggling with. While you’re writing, you’ll probably notice a few hiccups. For instance, you may want a word but realize you don’t know it. Whenever you encounter one of these problems, jot it down. Then, after you write, you can go over your notes to work to resolve whatever issues you struggled with.
• Read what you’ve written and correct your own work. Once you’ve responded to a writing prompt, read over your work with a critical eye. What errors do you notice? How could you improve your writing? Going over your work gives you an opportunity to spot some errors you didn’t notice as you wrote.
• Consider having a native speaker correct your work. You might ask a friend or a tutor to read over your writing and tell you what they think. You could also consider finding a tutor through italki. Even finding someone to do a one-time check of your writing on occasion can be a huge help.

With these writing prompts for all levels, you’ll never be at a loss for words.

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Language Essay Titles

IELTS Essay Questions for the Topic of Language. All essay questions below are reported by IELTS candidates and seem to have been repeated over the years. Regardless of the years the questions were reported, you could get any question below in your test. You should, therefore, prepare ideas for all questions given below. The topics below could appear in both GT and Academic IELTS Writing Task 2.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Language Essay Questions

As computers translate quickly and accurately, learning foreign languages is a waste of time? To what extend do you agree or disagree. (2017, 2020, 2023)

Scientists predict that all people will choose to talk the same global language in the future. Do you think this is a positive or negative development? (appears most years in the test)

Some schools are no longer teaching children how to write with a pen. Do you think children should learn handwriting skills? (2024)

Some people think that a person can never understand the culture of a country unless they speak the language. Do you agree with this opinion?

Some people think that you can never become fluent in a language unless you have spent time living or working in that country. To what extent do you agree?

Some people think that all children in school should learn a foreign language at an early age. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this? (2020, 2023)

Reported essay questions are from students who have taken their IELTS test. That means questions may have appeared more frequently than have been reported. These questions may vary slightly in wording and focus from the original question. Also note that these questions could also appear in IELTS speaking part 3 which is another good reason to prepare all topics thoroughly.

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Foreign Language IELTS Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Samples

• Updated On December 14, 2023
• Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

Writing Task 2 of the IELTS exam has displayed a large variety of questions over the years. However, there are still some general themes and topics that are often repeated in Task 2 of this English proficiency test. One of these recurring themes is the new language or the foreign language theme.

Table of Contents

In this theme, you can be asked to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of learning a different language belonging to any of the foreign countries. Additionally, you can also be asked to express your own opinion on the topic. This blog shares detailed information about Foreign Language IELTS Essay. Before we get deeper into the topic and start discussing model answers, let’s walk through some general tips that can help you in leaving a good impression on the examiner about your English language skills in task 2.

Tips to Ace the Foreign Language Essay Writing Task 2 IELTS

Although you can find an endless number of relevant examples for the essay writing task in IELTS, there really is no fixed format that can guarantee you a good band score in the writing section. So, what really works in helping you get a good score in task 2?

• A strong introduction and conclusion that are in coherence with the topic assigned: This will immediately get your examiner hooked onto the paragraphs written inside your piece and will leave a great impression on them!
• Use of refined vocabulary along with excellent use of grammar: Making use of good (and sometimes complex) vocabulary accompanied by an accurate usage of the English grammar is a pre-requisite for getting a good score in writing. It shows the examiner that your own knowledge of the language is vast.
• Providing relevant examples from different parts of the world: Many aspirants miss out on supporting their arguments along with good examples from either their own country or a different country. This leads to them losing out on marks in task 2.

Following these three tips will really catapult your writing task 2 score, which will have a greater impact on your overall band score for the writing section. To make the application of these tips more clear, let’s take a look at some of the sample answers for the foreign language theme.

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Foreign Language IELTS Essay Samples

Question – Some people believe that the only reason for learning a new/foreign language is for travelling or working in a foreign land. While others argue that there are many more reasons as why someone should learn a new language apart from their native language. You have to discuss both these arguments and give your own opinion on the following topic. Make sure to give reasons for your answers and provide examples. Minimum word limit – 250 words

Sample Answer 1

Learning a second language or a foreign language is linked to many advantages that far surpass the sole reasons of learning a new language for travelling or working in a foreign land. However, for the sake of playing the devil’s advocate, I’ll say that some people belonging to a different school of thought consider better job opportunities and travelling to be the only motive behind learning a foreign language. I am of the opinion that there are other reasons like learning about a foreign culture, and the bright prospect of cognitive development that propel many monolingual people to study a new language. With ever-increasing globalization and the opening up of international barriers, more and more people choose to emigrate to new and foreign lands in the hope of better job prospects. This often requires them to learn a new tongue. For instance, many people prefer learning languages like English, Spanish, and French, rather than the Russian language because countries speaking the former tongues have shown more affinity towards emigrants and provide a multitude of better job opportunities. This makes many people believe that jobs and sometimes travel are the only driving forces for learning a new tongue, especially for a young learner. On the other hand, some people including myself have researched the pros and cons of learning a foreign language thoroughly and have found that the pros far outweigh the drawbacks. The onset of memory ailments like dementia can be slowed down by cognitive development that comes with learning a foreign language. Furthermore, multilingual people are more confident and can easily acclimate themselves to new and alien surroundings by the virtue of their communication skills that have been expanded and upscaled. They find it easy to overcome language barriers and truly become global citizens speaking the global language. In conclusion, to go through the tough process of honing effective communication skills in a third language or a second language, people realise that it is not just for the sake of travel or work that they are doing this process. Instead, it stems from a deeper love for the language and the confidence that speaking a new tongue instills in them. Question – When living in a foreign country where you have to speak a new language, you can face serious social and practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons and examples in your answer and write at least 250 words.

Also Read: SAT Writing & Language Test 2022

Sample Answer 2

Language barriers arguably form the backbone of the biggest social and practical problems that people living in a foreign land have to face and overcome often. In my personal opinion, it can also spark serious problems in various countries, however, the widespread use of technology in curbing these issues to a certain extent over the past few decades. People belonging to different cultures can have issues in understanding each other because of speaking different languages and sometimes even because of different ways of pronunciation of the same words. Migration is not on the rise in the twenty-first century and people often move to distant lands in hopes of jobs, travel, and sometimes studying. In such a scenario not speaking the land’s language can become a basis for social problems like discrimination, racism, etc. Interestingly enough, technology has played a pivotal role in curbing the extent of practical problems faced by people when moving to a new land without being savvy with the foreign language. For instance, there are many web-based applications that do the translation job for people and save them the trouble of having to explain their point to the natives merely through vague hand gestures.

By way of conclusion, I stand firm on the point that social problems can far exceed practical problems when migrating to a foreign land without being fluent in the foreign language and perhaps, some language learning could really help in becoming a part of the foreign culture quicker and better. Although, as far as practical problems are concerned, technology is a boon that is eliminating most of them.

Related Articles: 

• Top 9 IELTS Listening Tips & Strategies To Improve Your IELTS Score
• IELTS 2022 Task 2 Advantages & Disadvantages Essay
• COVID- 19 IELTS Writing Task 2

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do i practice the ielts writing at home.

Ans: The best way to  practice  writing for IELTS is by looking at sample answers and practising as many themes as you can. You can also show this to a tutor or an online learning platform’s mentors like the ones at  Leap Scholar  to ensure that you are on the right path.

2. What is the ideal format for IELTS writing task 2?

Ans: There is no single ideal format for writing. As you practice you will notice that for different themes, you can have many different formats. You should use the one you’re most confident with in the exam.

3. Is IELTS writing formal or informal?

Ans: IELTS writing should be formal.

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IELTS essay, topic: Is learning a foreign language essential or a waste of time (opinion)?

• IELTS Essays - Band 9

This is a model response to a Writing Task 2 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 5 Academic book, Practice Test 25

Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people feel that learning a foreign language is an essential component of a child’s education. Others feel that learning a foreign language is often a waste of time that can be better spent on learning about technology and other more vocational subjects.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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

You should write at least 250 words.

Sample Band 9 Essay

Throughout the history of education, learning a foreign language or languages has been a constant component. Of course, many people feel that this is really an unnecessary part of education for everyone, but this is not a point of view that I share.

The opponents to learning a foreign language might argue that most people do not travel that often outside their own country. In addition to this, out of all the countries of the world, comparatively not many share the same language. Therefore, learning a foreign language will only be useful for the very limited time that one spends in a country where this language is used. For some people, the language might never be used in their entire lives. When one thinks about how much time and money are spent training language teachers, buying resources, going on trips and delivering lessons for such a negligible benefit, this would seem to be a very inefficient allocation of resources.

However, the benefits of learning a foreign language go further than just the ability to use it from time to time on a holiday or business trip. Firstly, through learning one language, one gains an understanding to some extent of how all languages work. Thus, no matter where people might end up around the world, the knowledge of language can be of use. Secondly, with the study of a foreign language, one also opens oneself up to other cultures. This allows in turn an appreciation for different points of view and belief systems. With an ever-shrinking world due to globalisation, the ability to empathise and understand the people from other countries is vital to reducing conflict and creating a more tolerant society. Finally, quite simply learning languages is excellent for the improvement of general cognitive skills.

It seems to me that learning a foreign language, therefore, is more than just gaining the ability to speak a few words of a foreign tongue. It is part of intellectual and social development and needs to be continued for everyone in today’s schools.

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3 thoughts on “IELTS essay, topic: Is learning a foreign language essential or a waste of time (opinion)?”

Education today is an essential key to becoming successful in the future. The curriculum in these institutions should be designed in such a way that it is helpful in the overall development of a child. In this essay I will talk about if foreign language as a component of child’s education is beneficial or not. Learning a foreign language as a part of curriculum doesn’t have so many benefits when a child is growing up because they don’t have opportunities to go abroad and converse with people who speak that language. Sometimes these extra subjects create a burden on a child as there is already a lot to study, if time management is not done appropriately, they can lag in important subjects. Rather the focus of educational institutions should be on including more vocational and technology driven subjects as they make students more curious and innovative in approaching different things in life. But as said learning a foreign language has positive sides as well, as it makes a child open to other cultures and creates curiosity in them to learn more about that culture. Also, in future whenever they visit that place, they can have better communication with them without feeling helpless. Also, globalization has opened different spectrums in the world, a new language can always be beneficial to use it for your advantage in opening a new business or working in partnership with people of that country. In conclusion I would like to mention that learning a foreign language doesn’t come with lots of advantages when a child is growing up. If parents feel a need that their child should know a foreign language, then they can opt it as an additional subject which students can study in summer or winter breaks without jeopardizing their regular curriculum.

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Language and culture essay topics and questions for IELTS writing task 2

Home  »  IELTS writing task 2 questions  » Topics about language and culture for task 2

Some people think it is better to spend and enjoy their money once they earn it. Others think it is better to save their money and enjoy it in the future. Which stand do you agree with and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some people think it is alright to spend money for their wants, such as a new car or the latest gadget. Others think it is better to save their money and only buy what they really need. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.

Some parents do not allow their children to watch TV during school days. Others allow their children to watch TV as long as their school work is finished. Which approach do you agree with and why? Include specific examples and details in your explanation.

Some parents prefer to have their children be raised by their grandparents. Some prefer to raise them on their own. Which would you prefer and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

Some parents allow their teenage children to live independently, away from home. Other parents don't want their teenage children to live away from them. Which do you think is better and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Some people believe that watching television is bad for children. Other people believe that watching television is educational for children. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.

Some people believe that people behave differently when they wear different clothes, while others do not believe that clothes influence the way people behave. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Some people believe that success comes from hard work. Others believe that success has to do with luck. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Give specific details and examples to support your opinion.

Some people think the media – television and films – negatively affect people's behaviour. Others do not think so. How do you think the media affects people's behaviour? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Some people believe that progress is always good. Others believe in preserving tradition. Which do you think is more important and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Do we have to plan for the future? Or stay focused on our present? What is your opinion and why? Provide examples to support your stand.

How do advertisements affect the trend of people and economy? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Some people believe that only people who have a lot of money are successful. Others believe that success does not always equate to having lots of money. Which statement do you agree with and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.

In some companies, social skills is given priority over qualifications when screening their possible employees. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this situation. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Countries should restrict foreign companies from opening offices and factories in order to protect local businesses. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.

Young people prefer listening to music rather than listening to the news on the radio. Is this a positive or a negative trend? Provide reasons and examples for your opinion.

Some films are designed to make people think, while other films are designed to entertain or amuse people. Which type of film do you prefer and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Give reasons for the popularity of reality TV in the recent years. Explain the effects on society and the social meaning of this trend.

These days people pay more attention to famous film stars than to famous scientists. Why is this happening? Explain the trend, giving reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Does too much freedom for – today’s children give positive results? Why or why not? Include specific details and examples to support your answer.

Everything needs to be a bit challenging in order to be enjoyable. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.

What is the impact of computer games on the children of today? Is it helping their development or making them worse? Why and why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Some people spend more and some spend less for wedding parties, birthday parties and other celebrations? Is it a waste of money or a social requirement? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

In some countries people place more importance on their retirement years because they will have more time to enjoy their lives and will have shed most of their responsibilities. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some people forget national holidays and prefer to celebrate their personal holidays more because more people are becoming less appreciative of their love of country. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some parents think that the latest technologies (gadgets, computers, etc.) will help in their child's learning development. Others think giving children the latest gadgets will be a distraction in their studies. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.

Computer games help parents in the care for their children because they keep children occupied. Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some countries spend large amounts of money hosting international sports events like the Olympic Games. Instead, this money should be spent to provide information campaigns and infrastructure to encourage more ordinary people to participate in sports. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Do you think that public cultural and educational institutions should have a fee? Discuss your opinion and provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Every generation of people is different in important ways. How is your generation different from your parents' generation? Include reasons and details in your explanation.

In some countries, it is normal for older people to live on their own rather than with their children What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend? Give reasons and specific examples to explain your answer.

In some countries, people live with their parents and siblings until their old age. Do you think there are more advantages or disadvantages to this behaviour? Discuss your opinion and provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Have you ever lived away from your parents? Describe your living situation and explain its advantages and disadvantages. Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

Some people say that advertisements are not good because it encourages us to buy things we don't really need. Others say that advertisements are good because it informs us about new products that can improve our lives. Which viewpoint do you agree with and why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

Some countries implement a national Identification system where all people's information are stored in a central database under state control. This is believed to be harmful to members of society by some. Do you support or oppose this opinion? Explain your position.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online? Share your own experience as an example in your answer. Give specific details and examples in your answer.

Many modern shopping centres are now becoming more popular than local market shops. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this consumer behaviour? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Some people prefer to live in a traditional house. Others prefer to live in a modern apartment building. Which do you prefer and why? Give specific details and examples in your answer.

In some developing countries, government funds are spent more on repairing buildings than building new ones. Does this help them save more money in the long run? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Some believe that it is better for each family to live by themselves rather than share a house with relatives. Do you agree or disagree? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Some parents allow their teenage children to live independently, away from home. Other parents do not want their teenage children to live far away from them. Which do you think is better and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

To what extent do you agree or disagree? Ads manipulate your taste and the way you think. Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

What is your stand about the issue of young children having mobile phones? Is it beneficial or not? Why? Include specific details and examples to support your choice.

In the past people used more formal and long expressions to communicate with each other. Nowadays, we use fewer words and are more informal. Why is this happening? Use examples and specific details to explain your answer.

Compared to the past, more people are now trying to learn a foreign language to increase their chances of landing a better job in their native country or to have better opportunities to work abroad. To what extent do you agree with this point of view? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

People equate a good salary with success. Some say that money is not what will make you successful In your own opinion, what will make a person truly successful? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Money is the best way to motivate people to perform better in the workplace. To what extent do you agree with this statement. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Many children participate in social networks on the internet instead of participating in community activities in their neighbourhood. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this situation? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some people prefer to live in a quiet place, such as the countryside. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place do you prefer to live in and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

People are becoming less interested in community activities. What is causing this behaviour and what will be the result? Provide explanations and examples to support your answer.

Some people believe that children should be required to learn other languages at a young age because it will be useful for their personal development. Do you support or oppose this opinion? Explain your position.

Some people believe that children should be obligated to help with household chores as soon as they are able to. Others believe that children should not be forced to do household chores. Which opinion do you agree with and why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Due to computers and their busy lifestyle people do not spend as much time with other people. Do you think this is positive or negative? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some argue that film and television are a waste of time, because they do not have a direct connection with people's lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many children prefer playing interactive games to playing traditional games. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Nowadays we are more and more a consumer-oriented society. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this situation. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Violent news stories should not be shown on television and newspapers because they promote violence. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Compared to the past, children now spend more time for playing virtual simulation games and participating in online social networks than meeting people in person to socialize. How has this behaviour affected society? Discuss the reasons and consequences of this behaviour. Provide specific examples to support your answer.

Do children need to be rewarded when they behave properly? Do we need to punish or beat them if they make mistakes? What is your view on this? Give specific reasons and examples to support you answer.

Some people consider big events, such as, weddings, birthdays and overseas travel as the most significant time of their lives. Others consider their present daily life the most significant time in their lives. Which do you consider more important and why?

Do you think it is necessary to spend a lot of money when people celebrate birthdays or is it better to save the money for other purpose? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

In some countries people are happy when they retire and remain very active. In other countries, they are considered too old to enjoy their lives. Which opinion do you hold? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Some people think that analysing and planning is the right way to achieve things, while others believe that a more easy-going approach is better in life. Discuss your opinion and give examples.

Some believe that youngsters should be friends with older people rather than fear and respect them. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each point of view. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Children should always start studying foreign languages from an early age. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Do you think that teenagers should be left to develop naturally or should be directed towards what their parents think is good for them? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

These days even young people can become rich and famous. Do you think this is good or bad? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

In your own opinion, do you think that advertisements are informative? Why or why not? Give specific reasons and examples to support you answer.

Some believe that there are too many advertisements in the internet, radio and television and that even the contents of shows and news articles become advertisements themselves. To what extent do you agree or disagree to this statement? Provide suggestions to address the situation. Give specific examples to explain your answer.

Should buildings in cities be expanded without restrictions or should their size be limited to a certain extent? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this limitation. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Young people prefer living in big cities. What will this tendency lead to? Suggest reasons and results of this trend. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

In some countries, buildings of historical value are being demolished to give way to modern buildings. Do you think that it is better to preserve the old historical outlook of buildings or it is better to incorporate only new styles of architecture? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this situation. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

In some countries, women are given special days leave for their monthly period. Some think that this is a form of discrimination between genders. Do you agree or disagree? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your position.

More people now work overseas. What are the reasons why people are doing so? Does this trend have more advantages or disadvantages? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some companies now use services of freelancers who work online from their homes. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this trend? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Nowadays many companies use low paid intern ships and student labour to their benefit. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

The most popular modern media is the internet. Do you think it will replace all other available media of communication? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some couples nowadays prefer to maintain a good career rather than having children? What are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing career over family? Give specific reasons and examples to support you answer.

Would you prefer having children earlier or later in life? How will it affect society as a whole? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.

Some people argue that the best way to have work efficiency is for the worker to work for several days and then takes a few days off. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this arrangement? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some people think that it is better to stick to one job, while others think when they swap jobs they will have a better chance to gain more knowledge and money. Which do you agree with and why? Discuss both sides and provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Many people think that having lots of money is the best way to guarantee happiness, while others think that it depends on other factors. Compare these two views. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Not all workers get to work on the job they are qualified for. Why do you think this is so? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some people think that in modern society one needs to focus on their career while leaving personal development and values behind. What do you think is more important? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

More people now buy products that they do - not need because they are persuaded by advertising. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Young people believe that they live in a better world than older generations. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Some people believe that hard work is vital for success, while others think that education guarantees success more than anything. Which do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

People are more aware of fashion nowadays and it continues to be a huge business, with a lot of advertising involved and millions of dollars of being paid to models. Discuss whether this is a good or bad trend. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

According to some people, living in a big city is not as good for families as living in a small town. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

In some cities, child care centres are situated near business establishments and operate before and beyond office hours so parents can leave their children before work and pick them up on their way home. Will this be good for the child's overall development? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this situation. Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

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IELTS Essay Questions 2021 Archive

Hey! This is an archive of all the reported IELTS Essay questions 2021. If you are looking for 50 questions from the most recent IELTS exams, then you should go to this page , which I update with new questions every month.

Please remember that what you will find here are the questions that have been reported by exam-takers from IELTS exams around the world. Even though I have used my experience as a trained exam creator to edit the prompts so that they are as close to the original exam question as possible, I can never guarantee that they are 100% the same.

Therefore, if you find one of these topics in your exam, you MUST read the real question carefully to make sure that you address it properly – changing just one word may make a huge difference to the focus of the essay.

What patterns can be seen in IELTS essay questions 2021?

As you will see from questions below, there have been a lot of opinion questions (both Discuss Both Sides and To What Extent ) in the Academic version of the test so far in 2021, but very few “new” topics.

In the General Training version, the test writers seem to making small changes to the wording of questions. These changes don’t actually affect what you are expected to do, but they may confuse some students. For example, in the past, you were always asked “Is this a positive or negative trend?” but recently the same question has been phrased as:

• Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
• Do you think this is right or wrong?
• Do you think this this a good or bad use of public money?

If you enter the exam room and feel confused by the question, my advice is always to simply answer the question that you have been given.

In both versions of the test, I have seen a definite move towards 2-part essay questions . Test-takers can find these tricky as they may ask you to answer two questions that you have never seen together before in one essay  i.e. you may be asked to give a cause of a trend and then comment on whether it is positive or negative.

I don’t think that these essays are particular difficult once you know how to organise them and write the introductions and conclusions. Click here to find out how to do this.

Listen to two IELTS experts discuss SIX reported essay  questions from 2021  

Academic IELTS Essay Questions 2021)

1.  Some people believe that companies should manufacture products that last for a long time. Others feel that the emphasis should be placed on producing goods that are cheap. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

2.  Some people think that when many imported films or TV programmes are shown in a country, it can improve the country’s culture. Others feel that it is better for a country to make and broadcast its own movies and TV shows. Discuss both sides and give your own view.

3.  Some people believe that charities should help people in need no matter where those people are in the world. Others feel that these organisations should only serve the people living in the country where they are based. Discuss both sides and give your own view.

4.  Some people believe that good teamwork is what makes companies successful . Others feel that it is more important to have a good leader. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

5.  Some people think watching TV series and films makes children more creative . Others think that it can actually lower their creativity. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

6.  Some people believe that visual images (such as photos and videos) provide enough evidence that a crime was committed. Others think that they are not enough on their own and other evidence is needed. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

7.  Some scientists think that computers will soon become more intelligent than humans.  To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

8.   Although there is a lot of software available today that can translate from one language to another , it is still necessary for people to learn a foreign language. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

9.   In many countries, governments spend a lot of money celebrating national holidays and festivals. However, some people think that spending money on these celebrations is a waste. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view? 

10.   When designing a building, the most important thing for architects to consider is the intended use of the building rather than its outward appearance. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

11.  Some people think that dangerous extreme sports such as rock climbing and sky-diving should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

12. Some people believe that countries should produce the food to feed their population themselves and import as little as possible. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

13.  Some people think that it is a waste of time for school students to study nature . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

14. In recent years, television has contributed most to changing people’s quality of life . To what extent do you agree or disagree?

15. In the future it may be necessary for us to live on another planets.  For this reason, some people believe that we should spend money now researching planets that could be a possible home, such as Mars.  To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Learn more about how IELTS essays are different to those that we write at school and university here:

17. Some  cities create extra housing by building tall buildings.  Other cities do this by building on wide areas of land. Which do you think is the best solution to the problem of housing? 

18. Many   people continue to use cars and motorcycles even though they know that they are bad for the environment. Why is this? What can be done to reduce the use of these vehicles?

19.  There are many female students who finish degrees in science and technology courses at university , but few move into the workplace after they graduate. Why is this? What measures can be taken to encourage them into work?

20 . In many cities the construction of new houses and office buildings is not controlled . This leads to people building in whatever style they want without thinking about design. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?  

21 . Young people are often influenced by their peers. Do the advantages of peer pressure outweigh the disadvantages? 

22. Many developing countries place a lot of importance on tourism.  Why is this? Do you think that this is a positive or negative development?

23. In the modern world, it is possible to shop, work, and communicate online without any face-to-face contact with other people. Is this a positive or negative development?

24. In the future, there will be a higher proportion of older people than younger people in many countries . Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development?

25. Some people believe that if an individual behaves in an anti-social manner, such as committing a crime, then society is to blame . What are the causes of anti-social behaviour? Who do you think is responsible?

Click here to watch the first three lessons in our IELTS Writing Course to see the difference that genuine expertise can make to your preparation. 

General Training IELTS Essay Questions 2021

1.  Some people believe that celebrating personal events is a waste of money. Others feel that these celebrations play an important role in the lives of individuals and in society as a whole. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

2.   Some people believe that traveling alone is the best way to experience a country or a culture . Others feel that it is better to travel with people you know. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

3.  Some people feel the best way to reduce the number of accidents on the road is to further limit the speed of vehicles. Others think that there are better ways to tackle this issue. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

4.   Some people think that older employees contribute most to the success of a company . Others think that younger people play a more vital role. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

5.   Some people believe schoolchildren should help to create rules in their schools . Others say teachers alone should decide what the rules are. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

6.   Some people think that students should learn a range of practical skills at school (such as car maintenance or managing money) alongside traditional subjects like maths and physics. Do you agree or disagree with this view?

7.  In cities, space for housing should be created by knocking down historic buildings. What is your opinion?

8.   Some people believe that  only employees who have worked at a company for a long time deserve to be promoted to a higher position.  What is your opinion about this?

9.   People’s behaviour (for example, their table manners and they way they dress) varies from country to country. When traveling to a different country, people should copy the behaviour and habits of the inhabitants of the country they  visit. Do you agree or disagree?

10.  The best way to increase road safety is to make car drivers retake their driving test every year. Do you agree or disagree?

11.  Some people believe that family is more important than friends . What do you think?

12.  The Internet is the best place to find information . Do you agree or disagree?

13.  In many countries traditional customs are being lost.  Why do you think this is? What can parents and schools do to keep traditional customs alive? 

14.  People who are learning a foreign language can face a number of difficulties. What are some of these problems? In your opinion, what are the best ways to overcome these difficulties?

15. Young people today are often less polite and show less respect than previous generations . Why do you think this is? What can be done to solve this problem? 

16. Some people today struggle to use modern electronic technology such as smartphones and computers. W hy do you think this is? What can be done to solve this problem? 

17.  Nowadays, many people drive to work or school instead of walking, cycling or using public transport. Does this trend have more advantages or more disadvantages?

18. After finishing school, some students go travelling or work for a period of time instead of going directly to university . Do you think the advantages of gap years outweigh the disadvantages?

19.  Nowadays some parents give money to their children if they perform well at school . Do you think this is good or bad trend? 

20.  Most children want to watch the same TV programmes or play the same video games as their friends . Do you think parents should allow their children to do this?

21.  Governments spend a large amount of money every year on works of art ( for example, paintings & sculptures.) Do you think this this a good or bad use of public money?

22.  Many people today spend most of their free time at home watching TV series or movies instead of going out. Do you think this is right or wrong?

23. People nowadays send text messages more frequently than they talk the phone. What are the reasons for this trend? Do the advantages of texting outweigh the disadvantages?

24.  Children can learn many things from watching films or movies. What are some of the different things they can learn? Are these lessons always good for them?

25.  Playing team sports at school can teach students a number of lessons that are useful outside of sport. What values can students learn from playing team sports? How can they apply these values in the future? 

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Your Guide to IELTS Band 7

IELTS Model Essay: Living In A Foreign Country, Languages and Problems

Here is another of my  IELTS model essays  for  IELTS Writing Task 2 . It’s an opinion essay question from the IELTS Academic Test:

Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Cambridge IELTS 13 Test 1 (Academic)

This is quite a tricky question. It seems to be asking you about the problems faced by someone who is not fluent in the language of the country in which they live ; at least, that’s what I assume it means!

I think I agree with the statement, i.e. that someone not fluent in the local language will face serious social problems and practical problems. So I’ll argue that, and support it with some examples. However, I also think that smartphone apps like Google Translate can now help a lot, as can the widespread knowledge of English, so I’ll add this as a small caveat as a very short body paragraph.

BP1: serious social problems – social isolation – if not competent in local language, may avoid social contact, can -> depression – harder to understand local culture so easy to offend (e.g. in Russia number of flowers)

BP2: practical problems – getting a job – requires high level of fluency – buying groceries, especially packaged goods – may be unclear what they are or how to cook

However problems reducing: Google Translate / English as common language

Many people around the world are making the most of opportunities to live and work in foreign countries. However, this often requires the ability to speak the local language, and I do feel it’s true that failure to do this to a competent level can lead to a number of difficulties, although these are not as serious as they once were.

One of the most serious social problems is that an inability to speak the local language can lead to social isolation. If someone has not yet developed communicative competence in the language of the country in which they live, they may simply avoid any kind of social contact. Such self-imposed isolation can lead to depression. A related problem is that someone living in a foreign country with little social contact is less likely to understand the local culture, and may find themselves inadvertently causing offence. For example, in Russia, giving an even number of flowers to a woman is considered bad luck, but this might not be understood by someone who rarely comes into contact with local people due to a lack of competence in the local language.

There are also a couple of practical problems too. First of all, getting a job in a foreign country will almost certainly require some level of fluency in the local language, even in work as low paid and mundane as cleaning or cooking. So inability to speak the language can lead to financial difficulties. A second practical problem relates to grocery shopping. If you have little or no knowledge of the local language, it may be difficult to understand the contents of packaged goods, such as tins or cartons of food, or their cooking instructions, causing people to follow a limited diet.

That said, these problems can nowadays be eased using such tools as Google Translate, and as English continues to grow as a common language, people in foreign countries can often use this to help them overcome these more serious problems.

Nevertheless, lack of competence in that country’s language will still cause some difficulty socialising, understanding the local culture and navigating the practicalities of everyday life.

(356 words)

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About the author

Charlie is a former IELTS Examiner with 25 years' teaching experience all over the world. His courses, for both English language learners and teachers, have been taken by over 100,000 students in over 160 countries around the world.

2 thoughts on “IELTS Model Essay: Living In A Foreign Country, Languages and Problems”

As a fellow teacher who sometimes refers students to your website (because it is very good), can I ask you to comment here on the “to what extent do you agree or disagree” part of the question, as I don’t feel like your model answer “indicates this clearly”. I guess, this could be a criticism, but it’s as much for me to understand how important this part of the question is.

Reading the essay again, I can see why you might think that. My position is agreement, but that it’s not as serious as it once was because of tech tools. I’m probably overcomplicating things, and giving the examiner a bit of work to do so perhaps it’s a risky way of writing. Sometimes simpler is better! Thanks for referring your students to my site – much appreciated!

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Discover the 7 STEPS to BAND 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2

Essays About Language: Top 5 Examples and 7 Prompts

Language is the key to expressive communication; let our essay examples and writing prompts inspire you if you are writing essays about language.

When we communicate with one another, we use a system called language. It mainly consists of words, which, when combined, form phrases and sentences we use to talk to one another. However, some forms of language do not require written or verbal communication, such as sign language. 

Language can also refer to how we write or say things. For example, we can speak to friends using colloquial expressions and slang, while academic writing demands precise, formal language. Language is a complex concept with many meanings; discover the secrets of language in our informative guide.

5 Top Essay Examples

1. a global language: english language by dallas ryan , 2. language and its importance to society by shelly shah, 3. language: the essence of culture by kelsey holmes.

• 4.  Foreign Language Speech by Sophie Carson
• 5. ​​Attitudes to Language by Kurt Medina

1. My Native Language

2. the advantages of bilingualism, 3. language and technology, 4. why language matters, 5. slang and communication, 6. english is the official language of the u.s..

“Furthermore, using English, people can have more friends, widen peer relationships with foreigners and can not get lost. Overall, English becomes a global language; people may have more chances in communication. Another crucial advantage is improving business. If English was spoken widespread and everyone could use it, they would likely have more opportunities in business. Foreign investments from rich countries might be supported to the poorer countries.”

In this essay, Ryan enumerates both the advantages and disadvantages of using English; it seems that Ryan proposes uniting the world under the English language. English, a well-known and commonly-spoken language can help people to communicate better, which can foster better connections with one another. However, people would lose their native language and promote a specific culture rather than diversity. Ultimately, Ryan believes that English is a “global language,” and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages

“Language is a constituent element of civilization. It raised man from a savage state to the plane which he was capable of reaching. Man could not become man except by language. An essential point in which man differs from animals is that man alone is the sole possessor of language. No doubt animals also exhibit certain degree of power of communication but that is not only inferior in degree to human language, but also radically diverse in kind from it.”

Shah writes about the meaning of language, its role in society, and its place as an institution serving the purposes of the people using it. Most importantly, she writes about why it is necessary; the way we communicate through language separates us as humans from all other living things. It also carries individual culture and allows one to convey their thoughts. You might find our list of TOEFL writing topics helpful.

“Cultural identity is heavily dependent on a number of factors including ethnicity, gender, geographic location, religion, language, and so much more.  Culture is defined as a “historically transmitted system of symbols, meanings, and norms.”  Knowing a language automatically enables someone to identify with others who speak the same language.  This connection is such an important part of cultural exchange”

In this short essay, Homes discusses how language reflects a person’s cultural identity and the importance of communication in a civilized society. Different communities and cultures use specific sounds and understand their meanings to communicate. From this, writing was developed. Knowing a language makes connecting with others of the same culture easier. 

4.   Foreign Language Speech by Sophie Carson

“Ultimately, learning a foreign language will improve a child’s overall thinking and learning skills in general, making them smarter in many different unrelated areas. Their creativity is highly improved as they are more trained to look at problems from different angles and think outside of the box. This flexible thinking makes them better problem solvers since they can see problems from different perspectives. The better thinking skills developed from learning a foreign language have also been seen through testing scores.”

Carson writes about some of the benefits of learning a foreign language, especially during childhood. During childhood, the brain is more flexible, and it is easier for one to learn a new language in their younger years. Among many other benefits, bilingualism has been shown to improve memory and open up more parts of a child’s brain, helping them hone their critical thinking skills. Teaching children a foreign language makes them more aware of the world around them and can open up opportunities in the future.

5. ​​ Attitudes to Language by Kurt Medina

“Increasingly, educators are becoming aware that a person’s native language is an integral part of who that person is and marginalizing the language can have severe damaging effects on that person’s psyche. Many linguists consistently make a case for teaching native languages alongside the target languages so that children can clearly differentiate among the codes”

As its title suggests, Medina’s essay revolves around different attitudes towards types of language, whether it be vernacular language or dialects. He discusses this in the context of Caribbean cultures, where different dialects and languages are widespread, and people switch between languages quickly. Medina mentions how we tend to modify the language we use in different situations, depending on how formal or informal we need to be. 

6 Prompts for Essays About Language

In your essay, you can write about your native language. For example, explain how it originated and some of its characteristics. Write about why you are proud of it or persuade others to try learning it. To add depth to your essay, include a section with common phrases or idioms from your native language and explain their meaning.

Bilingualism has been said to enhance a whole range of cognitive skills, from a longer attention span to better memory. Look into the different advantages of speaking two or more languages, and use these to promote bilingualism. Cite scientific research papers and reference their findings in your essay for a compelling piece of writing.

In the 21st century, the development of new technology has blurred the lines between communication and isolation; it has undoubtedly changed how we interact and use language. For example, many words have been replaced in day-to-day communication by texting lingo and slang. In addition, technology has made us communicate more virtually and non-verbally. Research and discuss how the 21st century has changed how we interact and “do language” worldwide, whether it has improved or worsened. 

We often change how we speak depending on the situation; we use different words and expressions. Why do we do this? Based on a combination of personal experience and research, reflect on why it is essential to use appropriate language in different scenarios.

Different cultures use different forms of slang. Slang is a type of language consisting of informal words and expressions. Some hold negative views towards slang, saying that it degrades the language system, while others believe it allows people to express their culture. Write about whether you believe slang should be acceptable or not: defend your position by giving evidence either that slang is detrimental to language or that it poses no threat.

English is the most spoken language in the United States and is used in government documents; it is all but the country’s official language. Do you believe the government should finally declare English the country’s official language? Research the viewpoints of both sides and form a conclusion; support your argument with sufficient details and research. 

Check out our guide packed full of transition words for essays .If you’re stuck picking your next essay topic, check out our guide on how to write an essay about diversity .

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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20 English Essay Topics/Questions | B2 First (FCE)

The language of an English essay should be formal . Also, make sure that you justify all your ideas and that you use appropriate connectors to link your sentences and paragraphs .

How to write B2 First (FCE) essay?

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B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example Topics / Questions

Below is a sample list of academic essay writing topics/tasks for B2-level (intermediate) students. You can use them to practice writing English essays or to prepare for the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) exam

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 1 | First (FCE)

You have watched a documentary about young children in poor areas who leave school to work. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.

Teenagers are dropping out of school to find a job. How can we help them to continue their education?

Write about:

• family problems
• financial difficulties
• …………… (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 2 | First (FCE)

In your social studies course, you have watched a documentary on the potential effects of too much pollution on the air quality of city centres. Your professor has assigned you an essay to write.

Keeping the air quality in city centres at healthy levels for their residents is a concern for many places. How can we solve the problem of pollution in city centres?

• automobiles
• ………………  (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 3 | First (FCE)

In your education class, you have listened to a lecture on the importance of teaching foreign languages in school. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Learning a foreign language helps students develop a set of important skills. Why should foreign languages be taught in schools?

• new cultures
•  employment
• …………. (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 4 | First (FCE)

You have listened to a radio programme about the problem of widespread starvation in many parts of Africa. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

In many parts of Africa, people are dying of starvation and lack of freshwater. Can these problems be solved?

• lack of organised farming
• …….. …….. (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 5 | First (FCE)

You have watched a video on a non-profit organisation working to stop the use of animals for testing medicines used by human beings. Now, your professor has asked you to write an essay.

Testing on animals is a standard in scientific research. What is the best way to deal with this problem?

• animals suffer
• outdated form of research
• …… ……..  (your own idea)

Get Your (FCE) Essay Checked!

B2 - essay topic / question 6 | first (fce).

You have listened to a radio programme about deforestation, the cutting down of trees in many wild areas around the world. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Many forests around the world are being destroyed for agricultural, commercial, or housing use without allowing time for the forests to regenerate themselves. What can be done to improve the situation?

• what contributes to the greenhouse effect
• ………. (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 7 | First (FCE)

In your English class, you have been talking about endangered species, animals or plants that will likely become extinct. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Around the world, many wildlife species are in danger of extinction. How can we protect endangered animals?

• hunting wild animals
• ………..  (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 8 | First (FCE)

You have watched a Youtube video about the problem of computer game addiction in children. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

More and more young people spend most of their time playing computer games. How can we help children to overcome this addiction?

• bad grades at school
• no social life
• ………… (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 9 | First (FCE)

You have listened to a radio programme about the impact of smoking on people’s health. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Smoking is responsible for many health problems throughout the world. Do you think it should be made illegal?

• lung cancer
•  passive smoking
• ……………… (your own idea)

FCE, CAE, CPE

More than practice tests, b2 - essay topic / question 10 | first (fce).

In your English class, you have been talking about the problem of obesity in young people. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

In Europe and the USA a lot of young people have an obesity problem. What can be done to solve this problem?

• (your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 11 | First (FCE)

Has technology made a positive contribution to sport today?

• The use of technology to improve performance
• The use of technology in refereeing decisions

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 12 | First (FCE)

It is better to work at home than in an office. Do you agree?

• Contact with people
• Working hours

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 13 | First (FCE)

Life is harder for young people now than in the past. Do you agree?

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 14 | First (FCE)

Is it better to go shopping in small local businesses or large out-of-town shopping centres?

• Where things are cheaper
• Where service is better

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 15 | First (FCE)

Is it better to spend a summer holiday in the countryside or on the coast?

• Leisure options

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 16 | First (FCE)

Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:

Do you agree that community service works better than fines?

• effort and time
• lesson learned
• ………………(your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 17 | First (FCE)

Is it true that we help the environment when we plant a tree?

• clear the air
•  ………….( your own idea)

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 18 | First (FCE)

Nowadays children are suffering from obesity, that was once considered to be meant for adults only. What are its causes and what solutions can be offered?

• busy lifestyle

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 19 | First (FCE)

Is it better to be the oldest or the youngest in a family?

• role of older sibling

B2 - Essay Topic / Question 20 | First (FCE)

Modern lifestyles can seriously endanger our health.

Do you agree?

• physical activity
• …….. (your own choice)

B2 First (FCE) Essay: Download (PDF)

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IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.

Ielts essay # 1111 - reason for learning a foreign language, ielts writing task 2/ ielts essay:, some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language is in order to travel to or work in a foreign country. others say that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language., discuss both these views and give your own opinion..

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Foreign Language: IELTS Speaking Part 3 Sample Answer

Updated On Dec 19, 2023

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Topics like Foreign Language asked in the IELTS Speaking test 3 simulate real-life situations that you would experience in the receptive country’s professional and everyday environment. So, prepare them and deliver them out loud to perfect your speaking skills.

Let’s practice it with some easy questions about a popular topic: Foreign Language.

Speaking Part 3

1 have you learnt a foreign language why.

I’m actually studying two languages at the moment and it’s quite challenging and intriguing at the same time.  Since English is not my mother tongue, it’s the very first foreign language I’ve attempted to learn because of its widespread use and numerous benefits that come along. It’s the most spoken language for non-native speakers around the globe and is one of the most critical criteria companies look for when recruiting an employee, or at least that’s a reality in my country. Besides, acquiring a new language proves to have beneficial effects on your brain and personal development. You will be able to travel around with ease, gaining more priceless experience and building up your confidence when communicating with people.

2 Do you want to become a foreign language teacher in the future? Why?

That thought has crossed my mind once or twice but I’ve never visualized myself as a full-time teacher. A part-time job, yes. A professional one, not likely. Being a legitimate teacher in my country requires certain academic degrees and credentials to be able to convey knowledge and improvise in class. In my case, I’ve never attended any special training in teaching or have any pedagogical skills; therefore, I don’t have much confidence in handling difficult situations in class. Besides, you have to reach a high level of language proficiency to make sure that whatever you say is trustworthy and credible.

3 Why do some people learn fast while others are slow?

Each person has their own ways of obtaining new knowledge and their learning acquisition process functions differently as well. There are many reasons contributing to how fast a person can master a new skill such as the neural activity itself or some other objective factors. Research has shown that neural activity in quicker learners is somewhat different from slower ones, which leads to a difference in their learning speed. On the other hand, factors such as motivation, concentration, method and time also have profound impacts on efficiency. Unless one is highly motivated, focused and has the right tools and guidance, he won’t be able to learn anything fast enough.

4 Do you think grammar is important when you learn a foreign language? Why?

Of course, it is. Whether it’s grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation, it’s essential to pay equal attention to each of them to be able to master the language. However, at the very first stage of getting to know the language, grammar may not be a central focus since familiarizing yourself with the sound and pronunciation proves to be more effective. Once you get more comfortable and would like to communicate at a higher level, correct grammar will be critical since, without it, you can only utter broken sentences, which may or may not understandable but surely unprofessional.

5 Why is there a strong demand for language skills?

The world has become more interconnected than ever and cross-border communication is not only a demand but also a determining factor in strengthening bonds among countries and people, economically and politically. Therefore, understanding each other’s, verbally or non-verbally, is crucial. Furthermore, languages are valuable assets when it comes to travelling and experiencing. If you are bilingual or multilingual , you can roam around other parts of the world with great ease and your whole journey will be transformed miraculously.

6 Do you think foreigner should learn your country’s language when they arrive there?

I think it’s obviously in their best interest to pick up a few basic words or phrases in a local language. Firstly, it is an interesting experience to try to communicate with the locals in their mother tongue. You may not get the words right, but that’s where the fun lies. Hence, people will find you more approachable and charismatic because of your efforts and sense of humour. Besides, since language is an integral part of any culture, you can develop a cultural sensitivity while studying their very means of communication.

7 What kind of quality should a language teacher have?

Not only a language teacher in particular but educators in other areas should have certain skills and knowledge to successfully inspire and instruct t heir students. First and foremost, of course, deep knowledge and great education matter. It’s often said that “ a teacher is only as good as his knowledge is ”. People may not need academic degrees or certificates in other jobs or industries, but in education and training, they are solid proof to verify your professional qualifications. Furthermore, communication skill also plays an essential role. If one is an articulate and persuasive speaker, he will be able to convey his lectures with better results. Last but not least, a good sense of humour may be of great help to grab students’ attention and interest.

8 Why do people want to learn a foreign language?

Studying a foreign language is not only a hobby but also a trend in modern society due to some undeniable advantages. Speaking more than one language can open up a world of employment opportunities for job seekers , especially if that language is widely used in a business context. You will be able to work for not only local but global corporates as well with decent salaries. In addition, being bilingual or multilingual will help extend your social network worldwide. You can establish deep connections and cross-cultural friendships with foreign co-workers or local people while travelling. Finally, your brain will benefit greatly from the learning activity itself. Research has shown that studying another language will alter your grey matter which helps to increase your brainpower .

• challenging : difficult in an interesting way that tests your ability Eg: She is always up for some challenging sports
• intriguing : very interesting because of being unusual or not having an obvious answer Eg: She gives intriguing answers
• widespread: existing or happening over a large area or among many people Eg: The pandemic is widespread
• criteria : a standard or principle by which something is judged, or with the help of which a decision is made Eg: “ These are the criteria for assessment.”
• acquire: to gain something by your own efforts, ability or behaviour Eg: You to acquire some knowledge on IoT
• cross one’s mind : (of a thought) occur to one, especially transiently Eg: When I was doing this project, an idea crossed my mind. 
• visualize : to form a picture of somebody/something in your mind Eg: You can visualize the story while you read
• legitimate : allowed and acceptable according to the law Eg: The work she is doing is legitimate
• credentials: the qualities, training or experience that make you suitable to do something Eg: She will ask for your credentials before promoting you
• convey: to make ideas, feelings, etc. known to somebody Eg: Convey the message to your seniors about the game
• improvise : to make or do something using whatever is available, usually because you do not have what you really need</span Eg: ‘ Improvise what your sister wrote and give me’
• pedagogical: concerning teaching methods Eg: She developed pedagogical skills 
• proficiency: the ability to do something well because of training and practice Eg: You need to have proficiency in anything you choose
• credible : that can be believed or trusted Eg: Your answer is credible
• obtain: to get something, especially by making an effort Eg: She obtained it from the market
• contribute: to increase, improve or add to something Eg: She contributed some money for the flood victims
• familiarize : to learn about something or teach somebody about something, so that you/they start to understand it Eg: Familiarise yourself with the product
• interconnected : having all constituent parts linked or connected Eg: Everything is interconnected
• cross-border : involving activity across a border between two countries Eg: Computers have enabled cross-border transactions.
• asset : a person or thing that is valuable or useful to somebody/something Eg: Singing is her asset
• bilingual : able to speak two languages equally well Eg: Ram is bilingual
• multilingual: speaking or using several different languages Eg: She has a multilingual friend
• roam : to walk or travel around an area without any definite aim or direction Eg: Don’t roam around during the pandemic
• in one’s best interest : for one’s benefit or advantage Eg: Parents are scolding you because they care for you
• approachable : friendly and easy to talk to; easy to understand Eg: All the teachers in the school are approachable
• charismatic : exercising a compelling charm that inspires devotion in others Eg: Sita is a charismatic person
• integral: is an essential part of something Eg: This screw is an integral part of the product.
• cultural sensitivity : being aware that cultural differences and similarities between people exist without assigning them a value – positive or negative, better or worse, right or wrong Eg: My grandmother is culturally sensitive
• instruct : to tell somebody to do something, especially in a formal or official way Eg: I instructed her to work on the project
• verify : to check that something is true or accurate Eg: She will verify the news
• articulate : (of a person) good at expressing ideas or feelings clearly in words Eg: She is very articulate 
• grab one’s attention : to cause one to become interested in something Eg: She grabbed the professor’s attention by raising her hand

Also check : 

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• Linking words for IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Speaking recent actual test
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• Sports Vocabulary IELTS
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• Idioms for IELTS Speaking
• IELTS Pronunciation Guide
• Common English words in IELTS Speaking

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Benefits of Knowing a Foreign Language

There are numerous advantages of learning a foreign language. Essay sample is focused on social, health, and other foreign language benefits, as well as reasons to learn another language.

Benefits of Learning a Foreign Language Essay Introduction

Benefits of learning a second language essay body, benefits of learning foreign language essay conclusion, works cited.

Why are foreign languages in demand and popularity? Not everyone probably thinks about it until they face a particular situation. Let us consider several reasons for bilingualism, such as advantages in career, travel, unlimited communication, cultural content, and the fact that knowing at least one foreign language makes the person smarter.

The first cause of foreign language usefulness is professional opportunities. You need to know a foreign language to increase your employability, work in a prestigious fast-growing company, and get the appropriate payment. It also applies to study and internships in foreign countries because plenty of companies are trying to learn from the experience of their foreign colleagues. In the case you know the foreign language, you can help in the translation of texts, preparation of documents, or during negotiations with foreign partners. Besides, you can learn some interesting and helpful information by reading foreign professional literature.

The second reason concerns traveling. Knowing the foreign language, you will be happy to listen to guided tours in original, chat with people with great ease and pleasure, and, who knows, maybe the foreign language you can speak will save the life of someone. Traveling around the world, you can always find your way, talk to the locals, learn about their lives and culture, and perhaps, receive a useful lesson (“Ten Amazing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Foreign Language,” par. 8). In other words, knowing the foreign language allows penetrating the traditions of the other culture.

The third reason in favor of knowledge of a foreign language is communication. Usually, to learn a foreign language well enough, it is necessary to plunge into the environment of living in that particular culture. In turn, such a dive does not pass entirely but forms certain personal qualities. For example, some studies have shown that people, who know more than one language, expand their horizons and are more likely to empathize taking the first steps in communication. Communication in a foreign language with native speakers will significantly strengthen your communication skills and develop life-long friendships (“Ten Amazing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Foreign Language,” par. 14).

Moreover, a foreign language helps you to enrich yourself culturally by watching movies in their original, listening to the voice and intonations of actors, and avoiding translators. You can listen to your favorite songs of foreign singers and understand their meaning with great pleasure. Despite the considerable amount of translated literature, the knowledge of a foreign language opens the door to the world of original literature. It is also essential to point out that by learning a foreign language, you can improve your native language as well. When people start to talk in a foreign language, which has its grammar, logic, and exceptions, they choose words and phrases in the native language to translate, which helps to increase the speech culture and vocabulary of the native language.

Besides, if you are interested in the events taking place in the world, the knowledge of the foreign language would be your advantage. You can easily understand the news as many world newspapers and Internet posts are published in a foreign language. Consequently, you will be able to understand the meaning of the above, taking into account all the details. It is much more objective than hearing a translation, where a lot can be unsaid or translated inappropriately. Thus, knowledge of a foreign language provides access to information, while it is commonly considered that he who owns the information – owns the world.

Finally, the last but not the least reason is probably, the most important. Knowledge of a foreign language expands consciousness. According to Merritt, “speaking a foreign language improves the functionality of your brain by challenging it to recognize, negotiate meaning, and communicate in different language systems” (par. 3). Your mind will be reconstructed to understand completely new concepts. In this sense, learning foreign languages is highly efficient due to switching codes. Switching from one language to another is a challenging job for the brain that is undoubtedly useful. Several studies have shown that among patients with dementia, symptoms began four years later in people who know two languages than in people who know one language (Merritt par. 6). In other words, the brain of bilinguals was struck but continued to operate at a higher level for a longer time.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that people are blacksmiths of their happiness, and a lot in life depends on them. Knowledge of foreign languages gives people plenty of advantages. It is the opportunity to travel around the world without an interpreter, to read foreign literature, to watch foreign films in the original, and to have friends from different countries. If you are willing to change something in your life for the better, then learn a foreign language, and maybe somewhere, there is a pleasant surprise waiting for you, such as an exciting journey or attractive employment.

Merritt, Anne. “ Why Learn a Foreign Language? Benefits of Bilingualism. ” The Telegraph . Telegraph Media Group, 2013.

“Ten Amazing Reasons Why You Should Learn a Foreign Language.” Lingholic . n.p., 2014.

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StudyCorgi. (2020, September 9). Benefits of Knowing a Foreign Language. https://studycorgi.com/benefits-of-knowing-a-foreign-language/

"Benefits of Knowing a Foreign Language." StudyCorgi , 9 Sept. 2020, studycorgi.com/benefits-of-knowing-a-foreign-language/.

StudyCorgi . (2020) 'Benefits of Knowing a Foreign Language'. 9 September.

1. StudyCorgi . "Benefits of Knowing a Foreign Language." September 9, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/benefits-of-knowing-a-foreign-language/.

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StudyCorgi . "Benefits of Knowing a Foreign Language." September 9, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/benefits-of-knowing-a-foreign-language/.

StudyCorgi . 2020. "Benefits of Knowing a Foreign Language." September 9, 2020. https://studycorgi.com/benefits-of-knowing-a-foreign-language/.

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Student Essay: The Value of Foreign Languages

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