Plan this discussion essay about language 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:
Some people say that the best way to learn a foreign language is to live in a country where it is spoken. Others think it can be learned effectively at home.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
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.
Some people say that the best way to learn a foreign language is to live in a country where it is spoken, while others believe it can be learned equally well at home. I think both approaches work, but living abroad is faster for those who have the chance.
Those who favour living abroad point to constant exposure. Surrounded by the language all day, in shops, offices and on public transport, learners absorb vocabulary and pronunciation without even trying. They are forced to have real conversations, which develops confidence and fluency, and they pick up cultural context, such as humour, gestures and polite phrases, that no textbook explains. Many people who spend a year abroad report that their speaking improved more than during several years of classes.
On the other hand, learning at home has become more effective than ever. Apps, video lessons and online tutors give access to teachers in any country at the touch of a button, and these are usually cheaper than moving abroad, which involves travel and accommodation costs. Studying at home is also flexible, as learners can fit it around work or school, and structured courses ensure that grammar and vocabulary are covered systematically, something that casual immersion may not do. Some people living abroad actually learn little, because they spend their time with others from their own country and speak their own language.
In my view, the ideal combination is structured study at home followed by or alongside time abroad. Without a basis in grammar, immersion can be confusing, but without real practice, classroom knowledge remains theoretical.
In conclusion, living in a country offers unmatched exposure and practice, but online tools and good teaching make effective learning at home possible, so the best method depends on a person's circumstances, with a mixture offering the most.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| language immersion | learning by being surrounded by the language |
| self-study | learning alone |
| online tutor | teacher on the internet |
| authentic situations | real-life settings |
| language course | organised lessons |
| pick up | learn informally |
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