Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-07

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In some educational systems, children are required to study one or more foreign languages. In others, foreign language study is not a requirement. What are the potential benefits of foreign language study? 

Do you think foreign language study is an important part of education?

Give reasons for your answer, and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Many people believe that learning a foreign language is important for education and the overall development of a country. However, others argue that learning a foreign language solely for educational purposes does not make a significant difference to a society.

Firstly, knowing a foreign language can help individuals develop a valuable skill while also making it easier for them to learn about other cultures. When a person moves to a new country, knowing the local language allows them to communicate more effectively with locals and socialize with people in the community. This can help them adapt to their new surroundings and build meaningful relationships. For instance, countries like Canada, Germany and Japan would ask their students who immigrate to their country to speak French, German or Cantonese.

Secondly, education plays a vital role when it is introduced to the younger generation. Children can understand and grasp knowledge about languages more easily at an early age. Teaching a new language can also help them gain a deeper understanding of its culture and heritage. So many kids can speak and understand French in Canada because of mandatory foreign language education.

I believe that a person can learn a new language at any age. The main difficulty they may face is remaining consistent with their learning and developing fluency, as achieving a level of proficiency similar to that of native speakers can be challenging.

In conclusion, learning a foreign language is important for young people. However, forcing children to learn a new language may also have some negative consequences, as they may lose interest or feel pressured.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses both parts of the prompt: the benefits of foreign language study and the writer's opinion on its importance in education. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. While the benefits are touched upon, the explanation regarding the importance of language study in education is a bit superficial. The example provided regarding Canada, Germany, and Japan is factually confusing, as Cantonese is not a national language of Japan or Germany, and the claim about mandatory language education in these specific contexts is not clearly linked to the prompt's core argument. To reach a higher band, the writer should provide more nuanced arguments and more accurate, well-integrated examples to support their position.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is generally easy to follow. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion' is appropriate, though somewhat mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, although the transition between the benefits of language study and the potential negative consequences in the conclusion feels a bit abrupt. The essay maintains a consistent focus, and the structure supports the overall argument effectively, even if the depth of the content is limited.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication. The writer uses some relevant terms such as 'overall development', 'meaningful relationships', and 'proficiency'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler phrasing. There are no significant errors in word choice that impede meaning, but the essay lacks the 'less common' lexical items that would demonstrate a higher level of sophistication. To improve, the student should incorporate more precise academic collocations and topic-specific vocabulary related to linguistics or educational policy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There is generally good control over basic grammar, and punctuation is used correctly. While there are no major errors that cause confusion, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. For example, the sentence 'So many kids can speak and understand French in Canada because of mandatory foreign language education' is quite simple. To achieve a higher band, the writer should aim for a greater variety of complex grammatical forms, such as conditional sentences or more sophisticated passive constructions, while maintaining the current level of accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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