Some people believe that reducing the number of students in each class is the best way to improve education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
3 IELTSbiz learners have answered this Task 2 question and had it marked on the four official criteria; bands ranged from 5.5 to 7, with a median of Band 7. Compare the answers below to see exactly what the higher bands did differently.
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These are learner answers, not model answers — including the ones that scored well. Read them for what the criteria reward and punish, not as text to copy. A memorised essay attached to a slightly different question scores worse than an honest attempt, and examiners recognise recited material quickly.
It is often argued that reducing the size of the class is the most optimal way to enhance the quality of education. I agree that having fewer students in a classroom can significantly benefit both teachers and learners; I believe that other factors, such as the quality of teaching and access to hands-on learning resources, are equally important.
One major advantage of smaller classes is that teachers can easily provide more individual attention to students. They can track the progress of students effectively by checking if the learner has completed all the tasks assigned within the time provided. In overcrowded classrooms, it is often difficult to identify weaknesses and address their specific learning needs. As a result, students may fall behind academically. For example, students who struggle with mathematics can receive additional guidance; moreover, teachers can keep extra classes to provide support to those students, which may help them to understand difficult concepts and improve their academic performance.
Another benefit is that smaller classes encourage greater participation. In a classroom, there are some students who struggle with understanding the concepts and are unable to ask questions to their respective teachers during the lecture because of hesitation. A smaller learning environment encourages them to put their confusion in front of their teacher so they can address their questions. It also helps those students to participate in the group activities, which improves their interpersonal skills. Nevertheless, reducing class sizes alone cannot guarantee better educational outcomes. Even in a small class, students may perform poorly if the teacher lacks the necessary skills or the school does not provide suitable learning materials. Therefore, governments should also invest in teacher training, modern educational facilities, and effective teaching methods.
In conclusion, I largely agree that reducing the number of students in each class can improve education by enabling individual attention and encouraging classroom participation. However, I do not believe that it is the best solution on its own. A combination of smaller classes, qualified teachers, and adequate learning resources is more likely to produce better educational outcomes.
The initiative to reduce class sizes to improve education quality has been widely debated. I agree that a smaller number of students can result in a higher quality of education for the following reasons.
Having smaller class sizes makes it easier for the teachers to pay attention to each student individually. They can tailor their lessons according to each student's needs. This enables one-on-one interaction between the students and teachers, which also promotes learning and trust. When students find it easier to approach their teacher, they are more likely to receive better guidance.
In larger class sizes, the chaos is inevitable. Noise, students talking or playing, and the sheer responsibility of managing several students at once can be distracting for both the teacher and the students. These distractions result in a negative impact on education. Students seated close to the teacher might be able to understand the lesson well, whereas students seated farther from the teacher or being distracted may not be able to receive the same guidance.
A good example of the effectiveness of reducing class size is the focused learning classes held for students with special needs. Class sizes are intentionally smaller in such schools so that the teacher can give her full attention to each and every student. Vaila's School for Special Students in Karachi, Pakistan, typically has ten students per class. There, the teachers are trained to impart quality education through one-on-one interaction, focused listening, and tailored guidance for every student.
In conclusion, a smaller class size allows educators to be more focused, interact with their students productively, and impart guidance without chaos, distractions, or burnout. This results in an improved quality of education.
A group of people argue that it is the best way to develop education by minimizing students in each class. I largely agree with that.
In the present time, most of the classrooms are bigger and full of students in every institution. Some students tend to understand slower than others, some are the opposite. In both cases, teachers play the same role in teaching. The attention of the teachers are less prominent to individual student because of having a class full of students. That makes everything hasty alongside studies. Students are less concentrated and their understanding level drops in an environment like this. Furthermore, teachers also cannot give individual attention to each students because of limited class time. This issue can be erected by reducing students in each class. That is how a teacher can enhance the study environment with the proper attention and facilities. Students will receive direct attention and proper learning individually from the teachers. Alongside, their communication and understanding level will be better in this way.
On the contrary, taking the step of minimizing students in class will be challenging if some points are not taken seriously. Reducing class sizes will require more teachers and classrooms. This attempt will also need good funding. More classes will require more qualified teachers. Besides, better teaching methods, teacher quality and developed materials are also required for student's better education. To make it happen, it will need better funding, investment and analytical thinking.
In my opinion, i strongly agree that reducing the number of students in each class is the best way to improve education since it has potential good outcome. Thus, the students will get better education by learning from a spacious and comfortable environment.
What band do answers to this IELTS question usually get?
Across 3 graded answers on IELTSbiz, bands ranged from 5.5 to 7, with a median of Band 7. Each was marked on Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range & Accuracy.
What separates the Band 7 answer from the Band 5.5 answer?
The largest difference is Lexical Resource: 7 in the Band 7 answer against 5 in the Band 5.5 answer. Open each answer to read the examiner's reason for every criterion.