TEOFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion Should you learn the language of the country you are traveling in? (Revised)

 

Do you agree or disagree that foreigners should learn the language of the country they are traveling in?

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        Have you ever talked to by a person from overseas in the local language? If so, share the experience.

2.        What are the purposes of learning a language?

3.        What is your stance on the professor’s question?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Agree

1.       It is natural to learn the language of the country you are traveling in unless you are a recluse or have a kind of superiority complex.

2.       Travelers who speak the local language relate to the residents and can be a liaison between countries.

3.       To understand or make friends with someone, you have to talk with him or her. Without conversation, communication will be hampered and will be superficial.

4.       To learn about some culture, the knowledge of the language is a must because language is part of culture and plays a very important role in it.

5.   Especially in countries where no major languages are spoken, ability to speak the language is crucial for safety and comfort.

 

Disagree

1.       In the case of a minor language, there is little chances to use it after the tour.

2.       Phrase-book communication is not very deep.

3.       Machine translation is enough to interact with the locals.

 

 

☆Sample Response

【Thesis】Main purposes of traveling is to see the world and enjoy life outside of your daily lives. For that matter, it is crucial to learn the language of the place you are visiting.

【Supporting Details】Language learning helps understand the culture of the country and allows smooth communication with the natives, and therefore, your trip will be more fruitful and memorable if you speak even a fraction of the vocabulary. Especially, memorizing words representing the culture, national character, and the mentality of the people because they will work as keys for you to comprehend the ethos of the society and get into the heart of the people you meet there.

【Counterargument-treatment】It is true that non-verbal communication, tour guides, and translation apps, as David mentions, help travelers do without the language ability, but not speaking even a basic level of the language of the country will make them miss precious moments of true interaction with the people of the country because language breaks the ice, deepens interactions, and helps make good memories. For instance, I always feel happy when tourists from abroad talk to me in my language even if they are just repeating simple expressions like “Thank you!” It shows their friendship and their kindness to share joy of life through intimacy that speaking the same language creates.

【Conclusion】Therefore, I definitely agree with the idea that travelers should learn the locals’ language. (232 words)

          

 

【Thesis】I agree / disagree that foreigners should learn the language of the country they are traveling in because …

 

【Supporting Details】For example,

 

【Counterargument-treatment】It is true that …          However, …

 

【Conclusion】Therefore,

 

☆Speech Time

a.        Make a speech on this topic. Don’t worry. Everybody speaks at the same time.

b.        Have a debate on this topic.

TEOFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion Is fashion and clothing important? (Revised)

Some people argue that investing effort and money in dressing fashionably and attractively is important. Others believe that spending resources on clothes is unnecessary and that money and effort should be better utilized elsewhere. Given these perspectives, do you think fashion and clothing are important, and why?

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

Which do you spend more of your discretionary money, pocket money, on, dressing fashionable and attractively or other activities like hanging out with your friends or buying books? Why?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

The first view (fashion)

1.       We communicate partly by how we dress, and to dress yourself fashionably is to show others your good will and to get a good impression about you from others.

 

2.       In capitalism, fancy attire means wealth, which is supposed to earn respect. In this materialistic mindset, people judge you by your appearance, especially how you embellish yourself with clothing and other materials.

 

3.       Enjoying fashion is enjoying life. You have to respect and take care of yourself, and naturally you will be conscious of fashion. You have to make a decision on what to wear seriously and try to enjoy embellishing yourself as part of this philosophy.

 

4.       How you dress shows your identity. The choice gives you a sense of belonging to a certain group of people who enjoy the same type of fashion. Thus, you have to take it seriously to spend some amount of money on clothes.

 

The second view (other things)

1.       As the saying goes, you cannot judge a book by its cover. What counts more is one’s personality, not what he or she wears. Money and energy should be spent on self-improvement. A good appearance will follow later naturally with or without fancy outfit. 

 

2.       Fashion seems to be just another factor to make life colorful like art and music that is not necessarily the priority in individual lives.

 

3.       Fashion is not eternal. Its trend changes every year. You should be focused more on something that lasts forever such as arts, science, or political actions.

 

4.       Fashion is part of the industry or the economic activity. Advertisements make many of us buy more than what we need. Spending much money on fashion is a result of brainwashing of consumerism.

 

 

☆Sample Response

【Thesis】Although I know the sentiment relating to being dressed well and high spirit it arouses in you that Emma points out, I agree with Tim in terms of the importance of expanding your horizon.

【Supporting Details】As far as I know, knowledge of fashion is inversely proportional to how interesting the person is. Most people who are dressed extremely well and utter various brand names talk about little else. On the other hand, people who never make others bored with their talks full of knowledge and experiences are often dressed plainly, some in a very cool way even though they wear no brand names.

【Counterargument-treatment】Of course, fashion is part of culture, even regarded as an art, and so there are pandits who are also dressed gorgeously. However, fashion is merely a part of their education, a result of spending their resources on learning other more significant things like history, literature, music, and fine art. They have never prioritized fashion in their lives. To do so is to put the cart before the horse.

【Conclusion】Therefore, I believe that to invest resources in improving your inner self is more important than to pathologically pursue fashion trends. (192 words)