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 an in-bound tourist who were trying to speak the language of your country? 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 a person with ethnocentrism.

2.       Travelers who speak the local language relate to the residents. They can even 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.

4.       Non-verbal communication such as smiling plays much more important roles in communication.

 

 

☆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 will be keys to the comprehension of the ethos of the society and mutual understanding with 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, which I always feel whenever I reply to them in my native tongue even when it is clear that we both speak English.

【Conclusion】Therefore, I definitely agree with the idea that travelers should learn the locals’ language. (248 words)

 

 

☆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.