Some People Believe That University Education Should Focus on The Skills- IELTS Writing Task 2

Some people believe that university education should focus on the skills of employment for the future. Others think they should focus on academic study only. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Outline

Essay Type

Discussion essay

Introduction

Explain in brief what you are going to write in the body of your essay.

Some individuals feel colleges should focus on developing students’ professional abilities, while others believe universities should focus on theoretical knowledge.

Body paragraphs

Paragraph 1: Some people place emphasis on the practical value of university education.

Paragraph 2: Others believe that colleges exist solely to conduct academic study since theoretical knowledge can assist individuals in becoming capable.

Conclusion

Summarize the points and restate your opinion in clear and direct sentences.

Sample Essay

A higher education degree is now a must for respectable employment. As a result, some individuals feel colleges should focus on developing students’ professional abilities, while others believe universities should focus on theoretical knowledge. From my perspective, educational institutions should take both factors into consideration. In the following paragraphs, I shall discuss both views and give reasons to support my opinion.

On the one hand, some people place emphasis on the practical value of university education. In many cases, students’ sole goal is to improve their employment prospects, so skills should take precedence over other considerations. In this sense, if colleges can assist students in enhancing their vocational talents and turn them into skilled employees needed by society, graduates will be able to find an ideal job that will benefit their future growth, especially at a time when youth unemployment is a major concern.

On the other hand, others believe that colleges exist solely to conduct academic study since theoretical knowledge can assist individuals in becoming capable. Academic education provides learners with the chance to build abilities that are useful in their daily lives. Students can use critical thinking and logical thinking, for example, to help them solve difficulties they will encounter at work. Academic knowledge, on the other hand, can extend learners’ horizons. Professors’ ideas might educate them with unique and insightful perspectives and help them examine situations from differing viewpoints. This will allow students to generate creative ideas, qualifying them for academics and employment.

In conclusion, professional skills and academic knowledge are essential components of higher education. Thus, these two elements should be considered, and students must be encouraged to apply theory to practice.

Vocabulary

• Emphasis 

Meaning: (noun) special importance, value, or prominence given to something.
Eg: The teacher asked students to underline the words to put emphasis on them.

• Precedence 

Meaning: (noun) the condition of being considered more important than someone or something else; priority in importance, order, or rank.
Eg: Safety must be given precedence.

• Assist 

Meaning: (verb) help (someone), typically by doing a share of the work.
Eg: Divya greatly assisted her cousin after her surgery.

• Enhancing 

Meaning: (verb) intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value or extent of.
Eg: This company provides superior, performance-enhancing goods which are good value for money.

• Vocational

Meaning: (adj) relating to an occupation or employment.
Eg: Not all the courses are purely vocational.

• Capable 

Meaning: (adj) having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing.
Eg: Rudra is capable of running an organization alone.

• Encounter

Meaning: (verb) unexpectedly be faced with or experience (something hostile or difficult).
Eg: Jessica had a frightening encounter with a poisonous snake.

• Horizons 

Meaning: (noun) the line at which the earth’s surface and the sky appear to meet.
Eg: The ship sailed towards the horizon.

• Insightful 

Meaning: (adj) having or showing an accurate and deep understanding; perceptive.
Eg: Your insightful feedback is very valuable to the company.

• Essential 

Meaning: (adj) absolutely necessary; extremely important.
Eg: Patience is essential for learning.