Some people think secondary school students should study international news as one of their subjects, while others believe that this is a waste of valuable school time. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Written by Lilie
Scored a 7 twice in the writing test
November 1, 2023
Some people think secondary school students should study international news as one of their subjects, while others believe that this is a waste of valuable school time. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
This IELTS Writing Task 2 question was reported in June 2023. Click here to read more questions reported in 2023.
Sample Essay
Opinions differ regarding the inclusion of global news as a subject in secondary schools. In my perspective, delving into worldwide news holds the potential to foster young minds destined for future greatness, thus making it a subject worth studying.
On the one hand, it can be argued that studying international news may not directly benefit students’ future careers. Gaining knowledge about current affairs, such as earthquakes in foreign countries, may not provide tangible skills that increase employability down the line. Consequently, precious school hours that can be allocated to subjects more relevant to students’ future careers, such as math and science, may be going to waste. However, I disagree with the argument above, as not every individual aspires to pursue a path in science or engineering. For some students, exploring global events might kindle an interest in journalism.
On the other hand, studying worldwide news has the power to ignite future greatness in students. When schools incorporate international news into their curriculum, students are regularly exposed to headlines and business news that shape the world today, including rocket launches by entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. This consistent exposure helps inspire them to make impactful contributions to the world as they grow up, just as the influential figures featured in the news do. I firmly support this perspective because I believe that, apart from imparting knowledge, schools should also be a source of inspiration for students to discover their highest aspirations, and this can be achieved through the study of global news.
In conclusion, while studying world affairs may not have a direct career benefit, it has the potential to spark greatness in young students and, therefore, should be included as a subject in secondary schools. (287 Words)