IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample: In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general education across a range of subjects. In others, children focus on a narrow range of subjects related to a particular career. Which of these two systems is more appropriate in today's world?

In some countries, secondary schools aim to provide a general education across a range of subjects. In others, children focus on a narrow range of subjects related to a particular career. Which of these two systems is more appropriate in today's world?
Designing the school curriculum is of paramount importance in any education system. The dilemma is whether to teach secondary pupils a wide range of subjects or to focus on a small number of practical courses that lend themselves to the future career of students. In this essay, I will first analyze the benefits of each education system and then argue for the first one.

There is no doubt that providing secondary students with a limited number of hands-on subjects is beneficial to their career paths in the future. Children will definitely have more time to focus on study, putting aside the exam pressure of subjects that are irrelevant to their jobs. This helps them gain an in-depth knowledge of their chosen career before entering the workforce. For example, children who have specialised in IT skills and physics at secondary school will have a head start on other children when applying for jobs in engineering.

On the other hand, an education system in which children are taught a range of subjects gains my support due to several reasons. At its simplest, secondary students are merely too young to define correctly their jobs for life, meaning that teaching them a small number of practical subjects should be delayed until later on. Another reason is that children can learn knowledge of different courses, which may help to grow their passion for a particular field. If we educated children only in narrow specialisms in secondary schools, there would be no artists, philosophers or historians of the next generation.

In conclusion, posterity will judge which system is superior to the other. However, it seems to me that giving secondary schoolchildren a chance to learn a wide range of subjects is a more desirable solution in contemporary society.

(292 words – written by Thay Vinh IELTS)