English as the main language of education in non-English-speaking countries
The question
In some non-English-speaking countries, English is used as the main language of education. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?
How to answer it
An advantages-and-disadvantages essay needs both sides weighted, not a disguised opinion piece. Advantages: access to research, mobility, and one shared academic language. Disadvantages: students learning difficult content in a second language understand less of it, local academic vocabulary stops developing, and it advantages children whose parents already speak English. That last point is the one most candidates miss.
What moves the band
- Do not turn this into 'English is important' — the prompt is about it being the medium of instruction.
- Language lexis: mother tongue, medium of instruction, linguistic heritage, a barrier to comprehension.
These are candidate recalls. These are questions reported by test-takers after their exams, not official or leaked IELTS material. Wording varies by test version, location and memory. Use them for timed practice — never as a prediction of what you will be asked.
Practise these next
Know the number. Now move it.
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