How to read the question

• This is a discussion essay: Discuss both these views and give your own opinion means you must present each view fairly and state clearly which one you agree with, ideally in the introduction and again in the conclusion.
• The key word in the first view is only: it claims travel and work abroad are the sole reasons, so the second view does not reject these reasons but adds others.
• Your opinion can accept that travel and work are important motivations while arguing that they are not the only ones, which is a clear position on the second view.
• For the second view, give concrete reasons that do not involve going abroad, such as using languages at work at home, access to culture, cognitive benefits and personal enjoyment.
• Avoid writing about the best way to learn a language or whether children should learn languages at school, which are different questions.
• Keep the two views in separate body paragraphs so that the examiner can see that both have been discussed.

Suggested position

Although travelling and working abroad are certainly strong motivations for learning a language, I agree with those who believe that there are many other valuable reasons to do so.

Paragraph plan

1. 1

   Introduction

   Paraphrase both views: one group sees travel and overseas employment as the sole purpose of language learning, while the other sees wider reasons. State that you agree with the second view.

2. 2

   Body paragraph 1: travel and work as the main reasons

   Explain why some people judge language learning by its practical returns. Give examples such as a nurse who needs the language to work in another country, a student studying abroad, and tourists who find it easier to communicate.

3. 3

   Body paragraph 2: other reasons to learn a language

   Argue that languages are used at home with international clients or multinational employers, give access to literature and films in the original, may improve memory and concentration, and can simply be an enjoyable hobby.

4. 4

   Conclusion

   Restate that travel and work abroad are important but not the only reasons, because languages broaden personal, cultural and professional horizons even for people who never leave their country.

Ideas and arguments

• Learning a language takes years of effort, so many people naturally expect a practical return such as a job or easier travel.
• Many professions abroad, such as nursing, teaching or engineering, require proof of language ability.
• Tourists who speak the local language can communicate more easily and experience a country more deeply.
• Many people use foreign languages without leaving home, for example with international clients, online colleagues or at multinational companies in their own city.
• Languages give access to books, films, music and news in their original form, which deepens cultural understanding.
• Research suggests that learning a second language can benefit memory, concentration and problem-solving.
• Speaking the language of migrant communities or family members helps people connect with neighbours and relatives.
• For some people, studying a language is simply an enjoyable and intellectually rewarding hobby.

Band 8+ model answer

281 words · An original model answer written for ieltswrites, not an official answer. It stays in English, as in the exam.

Why this answer scores highly

Task Response

Both views are discussed fully in separate paragraphs, each supported by specific examples, and the writer's opinion is stated clearly in the introduction and confirmed in the conclusion.

Coherence and Cohesion

The essay follows a clear structure from the first view to the second, with topic sentences that signal each perspective and cohesive devices such as from this perspective, however and in addition.

Lexical Resource

Precise vocabulary such as practical returns, globalised world, in their original form and intellectually rewarding is used naturally, and the key ideas of the question are paraphrased.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

The answer uses a range of complex structures, including conditional sentences, relative clauses and concessive clauses with although and while, with consistently accurate grammar.

Useful vocabulary

motivation

the reason why someone wants to do something

practical returns

useful benefits gained from an effort or investment

employment prospects

the chances of getting a job or a better job

overseas

in or to a foreign country

globalised world

a world in which countries are closely connected through trade, travel and communication

multinational company

a business that operates in several countries

cultural understanding

knowledge and appreciation of the customs and ideas of other groups

in the original

in the language in which something was first written or produced

cognitive benefits

improvements in mental abilities such as memory and thinking

intellectually rewarding

satisfying because it develops the mind

broaden horizons

increase a person's range of knowledge and experience

proficiency

a high level of skill in a language

sole purpose

the only reason for something

Common mistakes

• Discussing only one view or giving it far less development than the other, which limits the Task Response score.
• Forgetting to give your own opinion, or giving it only in the final sentence of the essay.
• Missing the word only and arguing that travel and work are not reasons at all, which misrepresents the second view.
• Writing about how to learn a language or which language is most useful instead of why people learn languages.
• Listing many reasons in one paragraph without explaining or illustrating any of them.
• Repeating foreign language and travel throughout instead of using alternatives such as a second language, going abroad and overseas employment.

Frequently asked questions

Which Cambridge book is this question from?

This question about whether travel and work abroad are the only reasons to learn a foreign language is Writing Task 2 of Test 3 in Cambridge IELTS 11 Academic, published in 2016.

Where should I give my opinion in a discuss both views essay?

State it briefly in the introduction and confirm it in the conclusion. You can also signal it in the body, for example by explaining why one view is more convincing.

Can I agree with both views?

You can accept that travel and work are important reasons while agreeing that they are not the only ones. Just make sure your overall position on the word only is clear.

How many words should I write for this Task 2?

Write at least 250 words; about 270-310 words is usually enough to discuss both views fully in 40 minutes.