IELTS Band 9 Essay About people choose to travel abroad to learn a foreign language
Here we take a look at a band 9 ielts writing task 2 sample about “people choose to travel abroad to learn a foreign language”. This sample then will be further analyzed for its vocabulary, grammar and format, so we see how it has qualified for such band score. We also suggest over 200 band 9 IELTS samples released in 2025.
Sample Essay (Band 9)
Many people choose to travel abroad to learn a foreign language instead of studying in their home town.
Do the advantages of learning a new language in this way outweigh the disadvantages?
Learning a foreign language is a challenging yet immensely rewarding endeavor. While many individuals opt to study languages locally, traveling abroad to immerse oneself in a linguistic and cultural environment has become increasingly popular. This essay argues that the advantages of learning a language abroad significantly outweigh the disadvantages.
One of the primary benefits of studying a language abroad is the opportunity for immersion. Being surrounded by native speakers enables learners to practice speaking and listening in real-life situations, which accelerates fluency and fosters authentic communication. For instance, ordering food in a local restaurant or engaging in casual conversations on public transport provides practical learning experiences that cannot be replicated in a classroom. Additionally, immersion allows learners to gain a deeper understanding of cultural nuances, making their language use more contextually appropriate and sophisticated.
Another key advantage is the improvement in motivation. Living in a foreign country creates a sense of urgency and necessity to learn the language, as daily activities often require communication in that language. This heightened motivation often leads to more consistent and rigorous efforts in studying, which further enhances proficiency. Moreover, exposure to diverse accents and dialects abroad enriches the learner’s listening skills, enabling them to comprehend a wider range of speakers.
However, learning a language abroad is not without its drawbacks. The financial cost of traveling and living in another country can be prohibitively high for many learners, making it an inaccessible option. Furthermore, culture shock and homesickness may hinder progress, especially in the initial stages. Despite these challenges, the long-term benefits of linguistic and personal growth often outweigh these temporary difficulties.
In conclusion, while studying a language in one’s hometown is a more affordable and convenient option, the advantages of traveling abroad, including immersion, cultural understanding, and enhanced motivation, make it a more effective way to achieve language proficiency. Thus, the disadvantages, though valid, are outweighed by the transformative impact of this approach.
Academic Vocabulary in the sample for people choose to travel abroad to learn a foreign language
- Immersion (ɪˈmɜːrʒən)
- Sentence: Immersion in a language environment is widely regarded as the fastest way to achieve fluency.
- Authentic (ɔːˈθɛntɪk)
- Sentence: Authentic communication in a foreign language involves understanding cultural contexts as well as grammar.
- Rigorous (ˈrɪɡərəs)
- Sentence: The rigorous demands of living abroad often push language learners to their limits.
- Contextually Appropriate (kənˈtɛkstʃuəli əˈproʊpriət)
- Sentence: Using contextually appropriate language is crucial for effective communication in professional settings.
- Inaccessible (ˌɪnækˈsɛsɪbəl)
- Sentence: For many students, the high cost of studying abroad makes this option inaccessible.
Advanced Grammar Structures and Their Contributions
- Complex Sentences with Subordinate Clauses
- Example: “While many individuals opt to study languages locally, traveling abroad to immerse oneself in a linguistic and cultural environment has become increasingly popular.”
- Contribution: Adds depth to arguments by providing contrast and additional information.
- Use of Passive Voice
- Example: “Being surrounded by native speakers enables learners to practice speaking and listening in real-life situations.”
- Contribution: Highlights the action and its importance rather than focusing on the doer.
- Conditional Sentences
- Example: “If learners are exposed to diverse accents and dialects, their listening skills are likely to improve significantly.”
- Contribution: Demonstrates a hypothetical situation and its potential outcomes, enhancing argumentative clarity.
- Nominalization
- Example: “The long-term benefits of linguistic and personal growth often outweigh these temporary difficulties.”
- Contribution: Creates a formal tone and makes the writing more academic by turning verbs into nouns.
Cohesive Devices and Linking Words
- Example: “Thus, the disadvantages, though valid, are outweighed by the transformative impact of this approach.”
- Contribution: Ensures smooth flow and coherence in presenting arguments and conclusions.
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