Plan this advantages and disadvantages essay about education 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 schools are reducing class sizes so that each teacher has only a small number of students.
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
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 schools are reducing class sizes so that each teacher is responsible for only a small number of students. I believe the advantages of this change clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
The main benefit is individual attention. In a class of fifteen, a teacher can learn each pupil's strengths and weaknesses, notice quickly when someone is struggling and adjust explanations accordingly. In a class of forty, this is almost impossible, and quieter students can go through a whole lesson without being asked a single question. Small groups also encourage participation, as students feel more confident speaking in front of a few classmates than in front of a crowd. Behaviour is easier to manage as well, which means more lesson time is spent on learning than on discipline. Studies in the United States, notably the Tennessee STAR project, found that pupils in smaller classes achieved better results, especially children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
On the other hand, there are disadvantages. Reducing class size means hiring more teachers and providing more classrooms, which is expensive, and the money might be better used elsewhere, for example for equipment or teacher training. In countries where there is already a shortage of qualified teachers, smaller classes could lead to the recruitment of less experienced staff, lowering the quality of teaching. Some educators also argue that very small classes limit the variety of ideas and the social experience of working with many different peers.
Nevertheless, these problems can be managed through careful planning and prioritising the youngest pupils and those who need the most help, where small classes make the greatest difference.
In conclusion, although smaller classes cost more, the personal attention and improved results they provide make them a worthwhile investment.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| student-teacher ratio | pupils per teacher |
| individual attention | personal help |
| class participation | taking part in class |
| school funding | money for schools |
| learning outcomes | results of learning |
| teaching resources | materials for teaching |
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