Students should be given one long vacation each year

IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some people believe that students should be given one long vacation each year. Others believe that students should have several short vacations throughout the year.

Which viewpoint do you agree with?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer:
Nowadays, schools across the country tend to switch their schedule to a year-round curriculum, which suggests that both teachers and students no longer have the traditional two months of summer vacation. However, many proponents of an extended summer vacation contend that long vacation each year is better for students. As the seemingly simple notion of several short vacations throughout the year triggers a firestorm of debate, we need to understand the realistic effects of several short vacations. If students have more frequent breaks, they can avoid the “brain drain”. Several short breaks also make it easier to get a fresh start when necessary. Finally, I think that the purpose for which long summer vacation was introduced is no longer exist.

First of all, frequent short break is the antidote of the dreaded “brain drain” that students experience during the summer vacation. Most of the cases, students forget knowledge and skills they acquired over the previous academic year. Teachers report that the first month of each school year is spent figuring out what students have retained and reviewing what they have forgotten over the summer vacation. Various studies support this notion that children tend to forget the knowledge of math and language art during the long summer vacation. In contrast, some data present that several short breaks increase retention rates, as students in year-round schools have paraded higher scores on some standardized tests.

Secondly, frequent short breaks allow both students and teachers to get a fresh start more easily when they need one. Many teachers who work for year-round schools share their experience that it gives them a break when they most need it. That is to say that the year-round schedule provides teachers with the work days they need at the times they most need them, for example at the end of a grading period when demands for their time are specially high. Therefore, teachers on a year-round calendar tend to view it as a positive experience. Students also have generally positive feelings toward frequent breaks because the year-round schooling allows them to re-energize and recharge as well.

Last but not at all least, the traditional school calendar does not have its original purpose for which it was introduced. The traditional American school year consists of a nine month schedule requiring 180 days in the classroom. This schedule was designed when America was still a largely agrarian country. At that time, this system was established due to children were often needed to work in the fields during the summer period. As those reasons no longer make sense in this modern era, I support year-round education instead of nine-month school year.

In a nutshell, I think several short vacations are better than long summer vacation in many ways. Students are able to rest and regain energy in between the classes and exams, and their recollection of lesson is considerably enhanced. Furthermore, it also meets teachers’ high demand for their time at the end of grading period. Lastly, the long summer vacation is not what is best for today’s students since traditional long summer vacation is no longer essential. So, I believe it is a plan that every school should implement.