Schools play a vital role in shaping students’ moral compass and values, making it a recurring topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. As seen in recent examination trends and through analysis of The importance of teaching ethical behavior, this theme frequently appears in various forms, particularly concerning moral education and character development.
Task Analysis
Some people believe that schools should focus solely on academic subjects, while others think teaching values and moral behavior is equally important. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
This question requires:
- Examining both perspectives on schools’ role
- Evaluating academic focus versus moral education
- Providing a balanced discussion
- Expressing and supporting a personal viewpoint
Band 9 Sample Essay
Similar to discussions about the role of financial education in reducing personal debt, the debate over values education deserves careful consideration. Here’s a high-scoring response:
While some advocate for a purely academic curriculum, I firmly believe schools must balance subject knowledge with moral education. This essay will examine both perspectives before explaining why integrating values education is crucial for student development.
Proponents of an exclusively academic focus argue that schools’ primary purpose is to equip students with subject expertise and measurable skills. They contend that moral education should remain the responsibility of parents and religious institutions, allowing schools to concentrate on preparing students for university and future careers. Furthermore, they suggest that attempting to teach values might lead to conflicts with diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs.
However, schools have both the opportunity and responsibility to nurture well-rounded individuals. Firstly, students spend significant time at school during their formative years, making it an ideal environment for character development. Secondly, real-world success requires both academic capabilities and strong ethical foundations. Teachers can incorporate values education naturally through literature discussions, historical analysis, and collaborative projects, promoting integrity, empathy, and social responsibility.
In my opinion, schools must embrace their role in moral education while maintaining academic excellence. Just as importance of art education for fostering creativity is recognized, values education develops essential life skills. The increasing challenges of globalization and social media make it more crucial than ever for students to develop strong moral compasses and critical thinking abilities about ethical issues.
In conclusion, while academic achievement is vital, schools must not neglect their responsibility to nurture students’ character and values. A balanced approach that combines both elements will better prepare students for future success and responsible citizenship.
Band 6.5 Sample Essay
The question of whether schools should teach values alongside academic subjects is widely debated. While some believe schools should focus only on academics, others think moral education is equally important. I will discuss both views and share my opinion.
Some people think schools should only teach academic subjects like math, science, and languages. They say parents should teach values at home because every family has different beliefs. Also, teachers already have too much work teaching regular subjects and preparing students for exams.
However, others believe schools must teach values too. Students spend many hours at school and learn from their teachers’ examples. Good values like honesty, respect, and teamwork can be taught through regular subjects and school activities. This helps students become better people, not just good at studies.
I agree that schools should teach both academics and values. Young people need to learn how to be good citizens and make right choices. If schools only focus on academic subjects, students might get good grades but lack important life skills.
In conclusion, I think schools should teach both academic subjects and values because education is about developing the whole person, not just academic knowledge.
Analysis of Band Scores
Band 9 Essay Features:
- Sophisticated vocabulary and complex structures
- Clear organization with cohesive devices
- Well-developed arguments with specific examples
- Balanced discussion with clear personal stance
- Natural integration of academic and moral aspects
Band 6.5 Essay Features:
- Basic but clear vocabulary
- Simple but accurate sentence structures
- Some development of ideas
- Limited use of complex language
- Basic organization with some cohesion
Key Vocabulary
- moral compass (n) /ˈmɒrəl ˈkʌmpəs/ – internal sense of right and wrong
- ethical foundations (n) /ˈeθɪkəl faʊnˈdeɪʃnz/ – basic principles of moral behavior
- integrity (n) /ɪnˈtegrəti/ – quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
- empathy (n) /ˈempəθi/ – ability to understand others’ feelings
- formative years (n) /ˈfɔːmətɪv jɪəz/ – period of development and growth
- well-rounded (adj) /wel-ˈraʊndɪd/ – fully developed in all aspects
- nurture (v) /ˈnɜːtʃə/ – help develop or grow
Looking ahead, candidates might encounter similar topics about The importance of teaching cultural sensitivity or the balance between academic and social skills. Practice writing essays on these themes, focusing on clear structure and supporting examples. Share your practice essays in the comments for feedback and improvement suggestions.