AC-T2-001 Academic · Task 2 · intermediate · 40 min · 250+ words Discuss Both Views Education

Online vs Traditional Education

The question

Some people believe that online education is as effective as traditional classroom learning, while others argue that face-to-face instruction is irreplaceable. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Instructions

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. • Present both sides of the argument • Give your personal opinion with justification • Use specific examples and evidence • Structure your essay with clear paragraphs

How to approach this discuss both views question

A discuss-both-views essay asks you to explain two opinions fairly and then give your own.

Introduce both views and say you will discuss them.
Paragraph 1: the first view with reasons and an example.
Paragraph 2: the second view with reasons and an example.
State your own opinion clearly (in the introduction or conclusion) and keep it consistent.

How to plan this answer

Structure

Introduction: paraphrase the contrast between online and classroom learning, and state your opinion (for example, that online study is effective for some learners but face-to-face teaching remains stronger overall).
Body 1: the case that online education is as effective, with reasons such as flexibility, access to top teachers and recorded materials.
Body 2: the case for face-to-face instruction, focusing on interaction, discipline and feedback from a teacher in the room.
Body 3 (optional): your own judgement, explaining which learners benefit most from each model.
Conclusion: restate your position in new words and do not introduce new ideas.

Idea bank

Online courses let learners study at any hour and from any place, which helps people who work full time or live far from a university.
Some MOOCs from leading universities have enrolled hundreds of thousands of students, showing that high-quality content can reach people who would otherwise be excluded.
In a classroom, a teacher can see confused faces and pause to explain again, whereas an online learner may silently fall behind.
Completion rates for free online courses are often low, suggesting that self-discipline matters more than the medium itself.
Hands-on subjects such as chemistry labs, nursing and music performance depend on practice with equipment and a teacher's immediate correction.
Peer discussion in a seminar room can develop argument skills that are harder to replicate in a video call with muted microphones.

Useful vocabulary

face-to-face instruction: Face-to-face instruction allows teachers to correct errors as they occur.
self-discipline: Online learning demands a high level of self-discipline from students.
flexible learning: Flexible learning schedules suit adults who work during the day.
it could be argued that: It could be argued that the quality of teaching matters more than the location.
by contrast: By contrast, a classroom offers immediate feedback from a teacher.
there is little evidence that: There is little evidence that online learners perform better than classroom learners.
on balance: On balance, I believe that the classroom remains the more effective setting for most learners.
to a large extent: Online courses are, to a large extent, a useful supplement rather than a replacement.
in the long term: In the long term, social skills developed in school may prove more valuable.
is more beneficial for: Hands-on training is more beneficial for practical subjects.

Common mistakes

Presenting only one side, or giving both views in one paragraph with no separation, which makes it hard for the examiner to see that both views are discussed.
Stating an opinion in the introduction and then contradicting it in the conclusion without explanation.
Using vague examples such as 'many students' or 'some people' without naming a course, a platform, a subject or a situation.
Assuming that all online courses are free, or that all classrooms are equally effective, which weakens the argument.
Writing a conclusion that introduces a new argument, such as a claim about the future of universities, rather than summarising the position.

Examiner tip: Give each view its own paragraph with at least one specific example, and make your opinion clear in the introduction and again in the conclusion.

Model answers by band score

Written for this question to show what changes from one band to the next. Try the task yourself first, then compare.

Band 6 answer

Nowadays many people study online and some people think it is as good as the classroom. Other people think that the teacher in the classroom can not be replaced. In this essay I will discuss both views and give my opinion. On the one hand, online education have many advantages. Firstly, students can study at any time and in any place, so it is very convenient for people who work or who live far from a university. Secondly, it is usually cheaper because students do not need to pay for transport or accommodation. For example, during the pandemic many students in my country learned from home and they could continue their studies. Also they can watch the video again if they do not understand. On the other hand, face-to-face teaching is also very important. In a classroom the teacher can see if the students understand and can answer the questions immediately. Students can also talk with each other and make friends, which is difficult online. Moreover, many students get distracted at home because they have phone, games and social media, so they do not study well. Some subjects, like science or medicine, need practical lessons which are not possible on a computer. In my opinion, online learning is useful but it is not as effective as the traditional classroom for most students. I think the best way is to combine both, for example some lessons online and some in the school. This way students can get the advantages of both methods. In conclusion, both kinds of education have good points and bad points, but the classroom is still more important, especially for young students who need guidance and discipline.

Why this is band 6

Both views are presented and an opinion is given, with a clear structure in four paragraphs and a conclusion.
Ideas are relevant but general: 'convenient', 'cheaper' and 'distracted' are mentioned briefly, with one example (the pandemic) not much developed.
Vocabulary is limited and errors appear ('online education have', 'can not', 'they have phone'), and linking is mechanical (Firstly, Secondly, Moreover).
Band 7 would develop each reason with explanation and use a more precise, varied range of language with fewer errors.

Band 7 answer

Online education has expanded rapidly in recent years, and some people now claim that it is just as effective as traditional classroom teaching. Others maintain that face-to-face instruction cannot be replaced. I will examine both views before explaining why I believe that the classroom still has the advantage. Supporters of online learning point first to its flexibility. Students can learn at their own pace and at times that suit them, which is particularly valuable for adults who combine study with work. Recorded lectures can also be replayed, so a learner who has not understood a concept can revisit it as often as necessary. In addition, online courses give access to leading universities, so a student in a remote area can follow the same programme as someone in a major city. However, those who defend traditional teaching have a strong case. In a classroom, teachers can recognise confusion from a student's expression and adapt their explanation immediately, whereas online they often cannot. Direct contact also encourages discussion and teamwork, skills which employers value. Moreover, studying alone at home requires a great deal of self-discipline, and many students, especially younger ones, struggle to stay motivated, which explains the high drop-out rates on many online courses. In my view, online education is an excellent complement but not a complete replacement for classroom learning. It works best for motivated, independent adults and for subjects based mainly on information. Subjects that rely on practical work, such as nursing or engineering, and learners who need close guidance, still benefit most from being taught in person. In conclusion, although online learning offers real benefits in flexibility and access, I believe face-to-face teaching remains more effective for the majority of students.

Why this is band 7

Clear position and well-organised paragraphs: view one, view two, opinion, conclusion.
Ideas are relevant and supported with reasons (flexibility, replay, access versus feedback, discussion, self-discipline).
Good range of vocabulary and complex sentences ('combine study with work', 'drop-out rates') with few errors.
Band 8 would offer more precise, developed examples and more natural cohesion with fewer formulaic phrases.

Band 8 answer

Few developments in education have been as striking as the rise of online learning, and opinions differ as to whether it can match the traditional classroom. While I recognise the strengths of digital study, I believe that face-to-face teaching remains the more effective approach for most learners. Advocates of online education stress, with some justification, its flexibility and reach. A nurse working night shifts can complete a degree in the early morning, and a student in a remote village can follow lectures from a leading university that would otherwise be out of reach. Recorded material also allows learners to replay explanations at their own pace, something no live lesson can offer. For motivated, self-directed adults, these advantages can make online study fully equivalent to attending in person. Nevertheless, the case for the classroom is more compelling. A good teacher continually reads the room, noticing a puzzled expression and adjusting the explanation before confusion hardens into failure. The spontaneous discussion and teamwork that occur in a seminar are also difficult to reproduce through a screen, even though they develop skills that employers prize. Furthermore, online study demands considerable self-discipline, and the high dropout rates on many open courses suggest that many learners lack it, particularly younger ones, who are easily distracted by their devices. On balance, I would argue that online learning is a valuable complement rather than a substitute. Practical disciplines such as medicine or engineering depend on supervised, hands-on training, and school-age children need the structure and guidance that only a physical setting can provide. In conclusion, online education has widened access considerably, but face-to-face instruction is still superior for the majority of students.

Why this is band 8

Both views are discussed fairly, with a clear, nuanced position stated at the beginning and confirmed throughout.
Ideas are well developed and specific ('a nurse working night shifts', 'reads the room', dropout rates), rather than general statements.
Precise, flexible vocabulary ('hardens into failure', 'self-directed', 'prize') with natural cohesion and rare errors.
Band 9 would integrate the argument even more seamlessly, with fully developed examples and more distinctive control of emphasis.

Band 9 answer

Few developments in education have been as striking as the rise of online learning, and opinion remains divided over whether it can truly match the classroom. Although digital study has real strengths, I am convinced that face-to-face teaching is the more effective approach for most learners. Advocates of online education stress, with some justification, its flexibility and reach. A nurse working night shifts can complete a degree in the early morning, and a student in a remote village can follow lectures from a leading university that would otherwise be beyond reach. Recorded material also lets learners replay a difficult explanation as often as they need, something no live lesson can offer. For motivated, self-directed adults, these advantages can make online study every bit as rewarding as attending in person. Nevertheless, the case for the classroom is more compelling. A skilled teacher continually reads the room, noticing a puzzled expression and adjusting the explanation before confusion hardens into failure. The spontaneous debate and collaboration of a seminar are also hard to reproduce through a screen, yet they develop precisely the interpersonal skills that employers prize. Moreover, online study demands formidable self-discipline. The high dropout rates on many open courses suggest that a large proportion of learners lack it, particularly younger ones, who are tempted by the devices on which they study. On balance, then, online learning is best regarded as a valuable complement rather than a substitute. Disciplines such as medicine and engineering depend on supervised, hands-on training, and school-age children need the structure that only a physical setting can supply. In conclusion, online education has widened access remarkably, but for the majority of students, there is still no real replacement for being taught in person.

Why this is band 9

Position is stated clearly at the outset and sustained, with both views treated with genuine fairness and depth.
Ideas are fully developed with concrete illustration; every claim has a reason and a consequence ('before confusion hardens into failure').
Sophisticated, natural vocabulary and sentence variety ('formidable self-discipline', 'tempted by the devices on which they study') with essentially no errors.
Cohesion is seamless, with progression driven by the argument rather than formulaic connectors.

Band levels are our estimate against the public IELTS criteria; they are not official scores.

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