Full IELTS Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Many people have problems managing money.
What skills does a person need to manage their money well? Who should teach children these skills?
Write at least 250 words.
Paraphrase the topic about money management problems. State that the essay will discuss the skills needed and who should teach them to children.
Discuss the skills needed for managing money well. Skill 1: Budgeting (definition + example of allocating income for savings/investments). Skill 2: Financial literacy (definition + example of understanding concepts like interest/inflation and investment risk).
Discuss who should teach children these skills. Party 1: Parents (reason: first teachers, examples: including in budgeting, explaining savings, matching pocket money). Party 2: Schools (reason: important role, examples: including financial literacy in curriculum, practical exercises like pretend budget).
Summarize the main points: skills needed (budgeting, financial literacy) and who should teach them (parents and schools, combining practical and structured learning).
The topic of managing finances is a universal one, impacting people from all backgrounds. This essay will discuss the skills needed for successful money management and who should teach these skills to children.
The first key skill for managing money well is budgeting. This means wisely dividing your income to cover necessary expenses, savings, and investments. For example, someone who reserves a portion of their earnings for savings and investments while covering their basic needs shows good budgeting skills. The second skill is financial literacy, which includes understanding how money works, like interest rates, inflation, and investment opportunities. A financially literate person, for instance, would know the difference between high-risk and low-risk investments, making decisions that could grow their wealth.
Moving on to who should teach children these skills, parents are arguably the main responsibility holders. Parents are a child's first teachers and can start teaching these skills early by including children in family budgeting or explaining the idea of savings. For instance, a parent could show the importance of savings by matching the amount a child saves from their pocket money. Schools also have an important part to play. They can include financial literacy in their curriculum, offering theoretical knowledge and practical exercises. For example, a school project could have students make a pretend budget, teaching them the value of money and the importance of wise spending.
In conclusion, successful money management needs skills like budgeting and financial literacy, which can be developed through hands-on experience and understanding of financial concepts. Both parents and schools have a duty to teach these skills to children, combining practical learning at home with structured educational programs.
The issue of financial management is a pervasive one, affecting individuals across various walks of life. This essay will delve into the skills necessary for effective money management and explore who should be responsible for imparting these skills to children.
The first skill essential for adept money management is budgeting. This involves the ability to allocate financial resources judiciously, ensuring that income is distributed across necessary expenses, savings, and investments. For instance, a person who sets aside a certain percentage of their income for savings and investments while meeting their basic needs demonstrates a good understanding of budgeting. The second skill is financial literacy, which encompasses understanding the dynamics of money, such as interest rates, inflation, and investment opportunities. A financially literate individual, for example, would be able to discern between high-risk and low-risk investments, thus making informed decisions that could potentially increase their wealth.
Transitioning to the question of who should teach children these skills, the primary responsibility arguably lies with parents. Parents are a child's first teachers and can instill these skills early on by involving children in household budgeting or explaining the concept of savings. For example, a parent could demonstrate the importance of savings by matching the amount a child saves from their allowance. Schools, however, also have a crucial role to play. They can incorporate financial literacy into their curriculum, providing theoretical knowledge and practical exercises. For instance, a school project could involve students creating a hypothetical budget, thereby teaching them the value of money and the importance of prudent spending.
In summary, effective money management requires skills such as budgeting and financial literacy, which can be fostered through practical experience and understanding of financial concepts. It is incumbent upon both parents and schools to impart these skills to children, combining practical home-based learning with structured educational programs.