IELTS Essay Sample: National vs. International Literature

Why Teaching Diverse Literature Benefits Children's Education

Overview

The essay discusses whether children should primarily be taught the literature of their own country or that of other countries. The author disagrees with focusing solely on national literature, arguing that knowledge is boundless and that understanding different cultures is essential. While acknowledging the importance of national literature for instilling patriotism and preserving history, the essay concludes that a balance between national and international literature is most beneficial for children's education.

Key Features

  • Presents a clear opinion against solely teaching national literature.
  • Argues that knowledge transcends national boundaries.
  • Highlights the importance of national literature for cultural preservation and patriotism.
  • Advocates for a balanced approach between national and international literature.
  • Lacks specific examples to support claims.

Our Review

We find that while the essay presents a clear stance, it lacks depth in its argumentation. The points are somewhat generic and could benefit from more concrete examples to illustrate the benefits of studying diverse literature or the potential drawbacks of focusing solely on national literature. The language, while understandable, could be more sophisticated and varied. The grammatical errors also detract from the overall impact of the essay. A stronger conclusion summarizing the main points more effectively would also improve the essay.


Student Submission

Some people believe that it is more important to teach children the literature of their own country than other countries. Do you agree or disagree? In this contemporary day and age, literature is still a part and parcel of a nation’s culture to preserve the cultural heritage from one generation to another. Literature plays an important role. However, I disagree about teaching children solely national literature than other countries. Knowledge does not have any boundary. For instance, the global map has changed a lot with a flow of time. Therefore, the literature of a country is still connected with many of its neighboring countries. That is why, children will not gain effective and complete knowledge, if they only try to learn about their own literature. borders of the current world cannot restrict the cultural exchange happened in the past, which still has substantial effects on today's modern world literature. In contrast, literature is crucial for preserving the glorious history of a country. That is why, people give more emphasis on learning literature of their own country which give the pupil the idea of unity and patriotism of their own country. In addition to that, no nation takes steps to preserve other countries’ literature. Therefore, people of that country need to step up to teach their children the culture, custom, history and literature of their own country. To sum up, learning about the culture of one's own country is important, but only focusing on that one point may hamper the overall education of children. Hence, teaching about different literature is more helpful to connect several ideas and gain knowledge about overall literature.However, maintaining balance between national and international literature will benefit the children more than focusing solely on nationalliterature in the long run.


IELTS Essay Assessment

1. IELTS Writing Score: 6/9 ■■■■■□□□
2. Score Breakdown:
  • Task Achievement: 6/9 - The essay addresses the task and presents a clear opinion. However, the arguments are not fully developed and lack specific examples to support the claims. The conclusion restates the opinion but doesn't offer a strong, concise summary of the main points.

  • Coherence and Cohesion: 6/9 - The essay is generally well-organised with a clear introduction and conclusion. However, the paragraphing could be improved. The connection between some paragraphs is not always smooth, and there's a lack of cohesive devices to link ideas effectively. The repetition of "literature" becomes monotonous.

  • Lexical Resource: 6/9 - The vocabulary is adequate, but there's a lack of range and precision in word choice. Some phrases are awkwardly phrased ("part and parcel," "knowledge does not have any boundary"). While the vocabulary is understandable, it lacks sophistication.

  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy: 5/9 - The grammar contains several errors, including sentence fragments, incorrect use of articles, and problems with subject-verb agreement. While the essay is generally understandable, the grammatical inaccuracies detract from the overall quality.

3. Error Analysis:
  • Vocabulary Errors:

    • [part and parcel] -> [ integral part ] : "Part and parcel" is somewhat cliché and less formal.
    • [knowledge does not have any boundary] -> [ knowledge is boundless ] : More concise and natural.
    • [effective and complete knowledge] -> [ a comprehensive understanding ] : More sophisticated phrasing.
    • [borders of the current world cannot restrict the cultural exchange happened in the past] -> [ globalisation transcends national borders and continues to influence modern literature.] : More concise and sophisticated sentence structure.
  • Grammar Errors:

    • [In this contemporary day and age, literature is still a part and parcel of a nation’s culture to preserve the cultural heritage from one generation to another. Literature plays an important role. However, I disagree about teaching children solely national literature than other countries.]-> [ In this contemporary era, literature is an integral part of a nation's culture, preserving its heritage across generations and playing an important role. However, I disagree with teaching children solely national literature.] : This combines two short, choppy sentences into one more grammatically sound sentence. The comparison is also improved.
    • [That is why, children will not gain effective and complete knowledge, if they only try to learn about their own literature.]-> [ Therefore, children will not gain a comprehensive understanding if they only study their own national literature.] : Improved grammar and word choice.
    • [no nation takes steps to preserve other countries’ literature] -> [ No nation solely focuses on preserving the literature of other countries.] : More natural phrasing.
    • [However, maintaining balance between national and international literature will benefit the children more than focusing solely on nationalliterature in the long run.]-> [ However, a balanced approach to both national and international literature will benefit children more in the long run.] : Corrected spelling and improved flow.
4. English Model Essay:

Some people believe that it is more important to teach children the literature of their own country than that of other countries. I disagree. While understanding one's national literature is crucial for cultural preservation and fostering a sense of national identity, limiting children's exposure solely to their own country's literature significantly hampers their overall development.

A strong national identity is undeniably important. National literature provides insights into a country's history, values, and social structures, fostering a sense of belonging and patriotism. However, in today's interconnected world, limiting education to a single national perspective is short-sighted. Exposure to diverse literary traditions broadens children's understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and storytelling techniques. Reading works from other countries fosters empathy, critical thinking, and a more nuanced worldview. For example, exposing children to works from diverse cultures can challenge preconceived notions and promote tolerance.

Furthermore, many national literatures are intrinsically linked to international influences. Ignoring these connections creates an incomplete and potentially inaccurate understanding of a nation's literary heritage. A balanced curriculum that incorporates both national and international literature provides a richer and more comprehensive educational experience.

In conclusion, while a strong grounding in national literature is essential, a truly enriching education must include exposure to a diverse range of literary works from around the world. This approach fosters a more well-rounded individual, equipped with the critical thinking skills and global perspective necessary to thrive in the 21st century.


Fifth graders in their classroom at school

Join 100,000+ Achievers with the IELTS Writing Checker next level.

Get AI-powered instant feedback aligned with official band descriptors — no registration or hidden costs.


© Copyright 2025, All Rights Reserved by IELTSWRITINGCHECKER.UK