As computers can translate quickly and accurately with the development of technology, learning foreign languages is a waste of time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample Response
Many people argueMany opine that foreign language acquisition is a waste of time with the advent of advanced technology that enables computers to translate promptly and accurately. I completely disagree with this view because language learning remains valuable, enhancing cultural understanding and communication.
Learning a foreign language deepens one’s understanding of foreign culturesculture. There is an inextricable connection between language and culture. By learning a foreign language, people gainobtain insight into the culture and norms of a specific social group. It, in fact, enables them to comprehend different perspectives, appreciateallow diversity, and understand the cultural nuances of the target community. Learning Spanish, for example, one can gain a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture, traditionstradition and social norms. Language acquisition thus is not only learning the alphabet, word order, and grammar rules, but it is also learning about the particular society’s behaviour and cultural customs.
Likewise, foreign language learningLikewise, foreign language learning also facilitates effective communication beyond mere translation. It enables individuals to communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds. Foreign language acquisition, in simple termswords, enriches understanding, facilitatesallows meaningful interactions, and establishes cross-cultural connections. By way of illustration, being fluent in English one can develop an effective collaboration with international partners, colleagues, and customers in a global business setting. In addition, learning a foreign language enables individuals to embrace different paradigms of thought, broadening horizons, expanding worldviews and promoting empathy. This means that they can see the world through different cultural and linguistic lenses. For instance, learning Mandarin can offer a different perspective on norms, etiquette and respect.
To conclude, I believe that foreign language acquisition is not a futile effort; rather, it isnot a futile effort, rather it is a valuable investment that can enhance cultural understanding, promote effective communication, and facilitate personal growth and broader perspectivespersonal growth and perspective.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The essay’s strongest feature is its clear, sustained disagreement, supported by mature discussion of cultural understanding, meaningful communication and alternative perspectives. Its main limitation is that some supporting points overlap and a few otherwise sophisticated phrases are grammatically or collocationally awkward. Prioritise distinguishing what human language knowledge adds beyond literal translation, then revise participial examples and imprecise expressions so the reasoning remains consistently sharp.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The position is direct and consistent, and the response develops multiple relevant benefits of language learning with clear examples.
Strengthen the comparison with technology by explaining one limitation of computer translation, such as handling cultural nuance or building interpersonal trust.
Coherence and Cohesion
Focused paragraphs, logical sequencing, and varied cohesive links create a clear and well-managed progression throughout.
Separate cross-cultural communication from cognitive perspective-taking more explicitly so each idea has a distinct argumentative role.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is broad and generally precise, with effective use of abstract and topic-specific language, though several collocations are unnatural.
Replace “allow diversity,” “develop an effective collaboration,” and “personal growth and perspective” with more natural, precise formulations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used with strong control, while occasional dangling modifiers and punctuation lapses remain.
Revise constructions such as “Learning Spanish, one can” and “being fluent in English one can” by giving the opening phrase an explicit grammatical subject.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
As computers can translate quickly and accurately with the development of technology, learning foreign languages is a waste of time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.