Is Learning English More Important Than Learning Local Languages? | Band 7.5 IELTS Essay Sample

Learning English at school is often seen as more important than learning local languages. If these are not taught, many are at risk of dying out. In your opinion, is it important for everyone to learn English? Should we try to ensure the survival of local languages and, ifso, how?

Here is a band 7.5 IELTS essay on this topic submitted by one of our students. Send us your writing samples for a free band score estimate or get a detailed analysis of your writing for a fee.

Band 7.5 IELTS essay sample

Language is a way to communicate your ideas, thoughts and opinions with other people. English is one of the languages that is often considered essential to learn in today’s world. There is a considerable decline in the interest to learn the local languages. In fact, some of them are on the verge of dying out. In my opinion, it is important for everyone to learn English. At the same time, it is equally important to preserve local languages.

Firstly, English is the official language in more than 50 countries most of which are well-developed nations where one might be interested in settling down in the future. English speaking skills will come in handy in situations when you are trying to migrate abroad. The English speaking countries such as the US, the UK and Canada are considered to be the best destinations for higher education. One must, therefore, have a strong command of the language in order to successfully thrive in an English speaking country. In addition, the job opportunities for an individual with better English skills are numerous. The employers are only interested in those candidates who can have a good conversation with their clients and express their opinions fluently. This skill is extremely important in this age of globalisation as the clients of the employers are often from different parts of the world. A good knowledge of English is also required to make the best use of information available on the internet because most of the websites are in English.

However, I feel the local languages should also be taught so as to preserve them for future generations. There are many scriptures and books written in local languages that are full of knowledge and wisdom. For example, the books on Ayurveda, a traditional healing practice, are written in Sanskrit. As many people are leaning towards natural healing therapy, it has become all the more important to learn and preserve the minority languages that allow us to decipher such ancient texts. Including these languages in the school curriculum is one of the ways to preserve them. Parents should make an effort to teach their children by regularly conversing with them in their mother tongue. Also, the Government should provide incentives such as scholarship to students with local language skills.

To conclude, I believe that English is necessary to succeed in all walks of life as it makes one more confident. Nevertheless, the local language also needs to be given their due respect. I feel an equal effort should be made by individuals to learn both these languages.

Here is another band 7.5 IELTS essay on this topic.

Band 7.5 IELTS essay sample 2

English is becoming a popular medium of study in most of the schools across the world and a few people argue that this might become a threat to the survival of local languages. In my point of view and I think are both used to give your opinion. Use only one of them.

On the one hand, learning English is vital in this era / age of globalization because it is the most spoken language in the world. Being proficient in this global language opens the window for trade, travel and education. Moreover, most of the research material is published only in English and hence it is important for students to learn this language to excel in their higher studies. For example, most of the Doctorate programs are taught only in English so it is vital for the student to have a good grasp / knowledge of English language.

On the other hand, English proficiency has become a symbol of pride in most of the developing countries and parents encourage their children to speak in English at home and outside leading to the eventual demise of the local language. In order to preserve the regional language, individuals and the society should commit themselves to use their language abundantly within the community and motivate children to talk in their mother tongue. Governments should conduct free language classes, arrange competitions for young people and run campaigns to sustain and grow their language.

To conclude, although it is very important to study English in order to survive in this world, individuals along with governments should take sincere efforts to sustain their mother tongue, because it is the responsibility of everyone to preserve their culture and language.