Plan this two-part essay about economy with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
English is increasingly used as the language of international business, even in countries where it is not the first language.
Why is this happening? What are the advantages and disadvantages for local companies?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
English is increasingly used as the language of international business, even in countries where it is not the first language. This essay will explain why this is happening and discuss the advantages and disadvantages for local companies.
There are several reasons for its spread. English became established through the historical influence of the British Empire and then the economic and cultural power of the United States, and it dominates fields such as science, aviation, finance and the internet. As companies trade across borders, they need a shared language, and since so many people have learned English as a second language, it is the most practical choice. Multinational firms often make it their working language to simplify communication between offices in different countries, and international students and workers use it to study and travel.
For local companies, there are clear advantages. Staff who speak English can negotiate with foreign clients, understand international regulations and market products to a global audience, which opens new markets and attracts investment. It also allows firms to recruit talent from abroad and use the vast amount of technical information available in English. A small manufacturer in Vietnam, for example, can sell directly to customers in Europe through an English website.
However, there are drawbacks. Smaller businesses may struggle if their staff are less fluent, giving an advantage to larger firms with better training budgets. Training employees in English costs time and money, and misunderstandings can still occur. Over time, the dominance of English may also reduce the status of local languages, weakening cultural identity, and employees who are not fluent may be excluded from promotion.
In conclusion, English has become the language of business because of history, economic power and practicality, and it offers local companies access to global markets, although it also creates costs and cultural risks.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| lingua franca | shared language between speakers of others |
| international trade | trade between countries |
| language barrier | difficulty from different languages |
| multinational | company working in many countries |
| cultural identity | sense of belonging to a culture |
| business communication | language used at work |
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