IELTS SPEAKING AND WRITING TEST TOPIC 17

IELTS SPEAKING AND WRITING TEST TOPIC 17
Oversea studying – foreign language
1.The idea of going overseas for university study is an exciting prospect for many
people. But while it may offer some advantages, it is probably better to stay home
because of the difficulties a student inevitably encounters living and studying in a
different culture. To what extent do you agree or disagree this statement? Give
reasons for your answer.
Advantages of going abroad:
- Studying other languages abroad expands and improves our abilities and job
prospects.
- In addition, by studying or simply travelling abroad, we can discover many
differences in terms of culture, way of thinking, history, customs and lifestyle; the
awareness of these differences makes us more tolerant and open-minded.
- What is more, we gain a broader experience of life in general.
- The students must have much more responsibility than ever.
- New friends that offer some advantages.
- Making a new friend is a good exercise to cooperate work with others.
What are disadvantages?
- alter the traveller''s way of thinking so greatly, that they lose their cultural identity.
- If he or she integrates into the new society, they will almost certainly meet
difficulties when they try to readjust later to their own culture.
- Another potential problem is that the traveller or student may become a victim of
discrimination, and lose their confidence as a result.
- Since their behaviour and customs may be very different from those of the
inhabitants of the host culture, they may encounter negative reactions –
unfriendliness, or even hostility, for example.
2. Mtivation to learning plays a very important role in the success of foreign
language learning.
- what is motivation?
- Internal motivation: desire to learn a foreign language in order to identify with that
language speaking community.

- External motivation: need to learn it so as to pass an exam or to meet certain
requirements of one’s job.
- How internal motivation can help us studying foreign language?
- Want to belong to that community, and communicate with it
- Exp: a babe, a person married with foreigner.
- How internal motivation can help us studying foreign language?
- Want to communicate with counterparts.
- Promotion.
3. Studying the English language in an English-speaking country is the best but not
the only way to learn the language Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Why study in English speaking country:
- Language school.
- Pronunciation better.
- Teacher: native speaker.
- Culture
- Improved Listening reading writing speaking.
- In the non English –speaking Highschool/university:Students must work hard -> no
adequate investment.
Why not study in English speaking country:
- Problems with homesickness
- Live with the Australians.
- Homestay. Advantage: money, parent’s help Dedication.
- Spoken English not good
- Study and living costs
- At home: Grammar skill good for later.
4. Difficulties for studying a new language:
At your age and level of language learning, there are some things you can''t change.
For example, you can''t change
• the innate language learning ability that you were or were not born with;
• your ability to distinguish between different sounds and your ability to make them;

• your power of memorization and recall.
5. Millions of people every year move to English – speaking countries such as
Australia, Britain or American, in order to study at school, college or university.
Why do so many people want to study in English? Why is English such an
important international language?
6. Why study English?
- It will enlarge your intellectual, cultural and emotional horizons.
- You experience the unparalleled richness of the narrative, drama, poetry and other
texts produced in English over nearly 1500 years.
- You can explore the variety, subtlety and complexity of the English language in a
wide range of uses.
- It deepens your cognitive skills of critical enquiry and aesthetic sensitivity – and
your personal skills of clear presentation of ideas and self-confidence.
- The best way to learn about the world
- Provide access to a larger range of knowledge such as in the fields of literature,
science and business.
- Most of databases and information are in English.
- International language.
- Promotion in career
7. How to study English well?
Reading and writing
- read newspaper and articles in English: take information of concerned issues in
English from net and read it.
- Try to read the English part of signs or menus rather than the Vietnamese so you''ll
know how things should be said in English.
- Use an English dictionary rather than a Vietnamese/English- English/Vietnamese
one.
- Keep a diary in English- 2 or 3 times a week if you don''t have time to do it
everyday.
- Writing email and letter in English

- Write autobiography in English.
Speaking and listening
- Speak English into a tape recorder rather than writing it.
- Thinking of my most beloved person, who I want to talk with and talk alone with
him/her.
- Not to be embarrassed about making mistakes;
- To ask questions when you do not understand something;
- To get into the habit of asking other Vietnamese-English bilinguals the question,
"How do you say __________ in English?" or ''What does ___________ mean?";
- Get approach to foreign speaker.
- Listen to radio daily.
8. Talk about your English teacher (either your present teacher or a teacher you
have had in the past)
Describe your teacher
• what is his or her teaching method?
• why do you like/dislike him or her?
• and how has he/she helped you with your language-learning
9. All secondary school students should learn a second language
Why should study second language in secondary school?
- the advantages offered by English.
- It is easier to learn a second language when a child rather than when an adult, even if
the second language is not used later in life, the process of learning it is good
academic training.
Why shouldnot study second language in secondary school?
- Few people ever need a second language,
- Time could be better spent studying more relevant subjects.
- Training teachers could be a significant drain on a country’s resource
10. The increasing role of English in the world means that the learning of other
languages is being neglected. What’s your opinion of this statement?