Children should begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Same question Compare all 4 answers See different approaches and band scores for this IELTS task.Sample Response
It is believed that the best time to learn a foreign language is at the early age. Therefore, some people think children should be taught new language as they start school. I personally disagree with the statement, since the children might get stressed, and there are other lessons which are more important than a foreign language. The following paragraphs will explain some of the reasons in detail.
Firstly, it is undeniable that children start their formal education at an early age these days. Some parents have registered their children at the age of three or four, but others have enrolled their children at the age of two. During these periods, children are in the process of learning their mother tongue language. They are still learning the alphabetical words, pronunciation, grammar and vocabularies of their native languages. If the children are then taught a new language, then there is a risk that the children might get mixed up or confused.
Secondly, the early-aged children should focus on learning other important things, besides a new language. They should learn subjects like arts and sport. Art is an essential subject for the children as it teaches them about colours and creativities, while sports are also vital for the development of the children’s physical appearance. Besides that, it is also important to teach the children about numbers as well, as it is beneficial for their further studies.
In conclusion, I personally disagree that the children should learn a foreign language at the early age. It is better for the children to focus on their native language first, and there are other subjects which are more important for them to learn.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Correct the article Original: is at the early age Suggested revision: is at an early age Why it matters: Early age takes the indefinite article when referring to no specific age.
- 2. Add the article Original: taught new language Suggested revision: taught a new language Why it matters: The singular countable noun language needs an article.
- 3. Use concise wording Original: the children might get stressed Suggested revision: children might become stressed Why it matters: The revision is more concise and appropriately formal.
- 4. Use precise terminology Original: other lessons which are more important Suggested revision: other subjects that are more important Why it matters: Subjects is more precise than lessons when referring to areas of the curriculum.
- 5. Use school collocation Original: registered their children Suggested revision: enrolled their children Why it matters: Enrol is the standard verb for placing a child in a school programme.
- 6. Clarify the reference Original: During these periods Suggested revision: At these ages Why it matters: The preceding examples refer to ages rather than periods of time.
- 7. Remove redundancy Original: their mother tongue language Suggested revision: their mother tongue Why it matters: Mother tongue already means a person's native language, making language redundant.
- 8. Use the correct term Original: the alphabetical words Suggested revision: the letters of the alphabet Why it matters: Alphabetical words does not mean the individual written symbols children learn.
- 9. Use uncountable vocabulary Original: vocabularies of their native languages Suggested revision: vocabulary of their native language Why it matters: Vocabulary is normally uncountable here, and each child is described as learning one native language.
- 10. Remove repeated then Original: If the children are then taught a new language, then Suggested revision: If children are also taught a new language, Why it matters: A conditional clause does not need then in both the subordinate and main-clause transition.
- 11. Avoid repetition Original: get mixed up or confused Suggested revision: become confused Why it matters: Mixed up and confused repeat the same idea in this sentence.
- 12. Use natural wording Original: the early-aged children Suggested revision: young children Why it matters: Early-aged is not the natural adjective for children in this context.
Suggested Rewrites
- is at the early age is at an early age
- taught new language taught a new language
- the children might get stressed children might become stressed
- other lessons which are more important other subjects that are more important
- registered their children enrolled their children
- During these periods At these ages
Why this response received Band 6.5
The essay takes a clear position and organises two relevant reasons into an easy-to-follow structure, particularly explaining the possible conflict with first-language learning. However, the ideas rely on general assertions rather than specific evidence, and recurring article, plural, and word-choice problems weaken precision. The priority is to support each reason with a concrete example while correcting forms such as "at an early age" and uncountable nouns.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Response
A consistent opinion is supported by two relevant reasons, but development is somewhat general and the requested specific examples are largely absent.
Give one concrete example for each main reason and explain exactly how it supports delaying foreign-language study.
Coherence and Cohesion
The essay has clear paragraphing and logical progression, although linking is formulaic and some ideas within paragraphs are repetitive.
Use more natural transitions and ensure each supporting sentence advances the paragraph rather than restating its main claim.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is adequate for the topic and shows some range, but recurrent word-form and collocation errors reduce precision.
Correct choices such as "vocabularies," "creativities," "early-aged children," and "physical appearance" by using natural academic alternatives.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A mix of simple and complex sentences communicates the argument clearly, but errors with articles, plurals, and sentence construction occur regularly.
Edit systematically for articles and countability, especially in phrases such as "at an early age," "a new language," and "creativity."
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IELTS Writing Task 2
Children should begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.