IELTS Speaking Part 3: тема «Education (образование)», вопросы и ответы

What makes a good teacher?

Is online learning as effective as learning in a classroom?

Should university education be free?

Do schools prepare young people well for working life?

Is it better to study in your own country or abroad?

How might education change in the next twenty years?

Is online learning as effective as learning in a classroom?

For motivated adults, it can be. Online courses are flexible and often cheaper, which is a huge advantage if you work. But for children I don't think it's a full replacement, because so much of school is about learning to work with other people, and that's very hard to do through a screen.

Should university education be free?

I'd say it should be free for students who can't afford it, rather than for everyone. Free education for all sounds fair, but it's extremely expensive for the state. A system of grants based on need and ability seems like a better balance, and Uzbekistan has been moving in that direction.

Do schools prepare young people well for working life?

Only partly. Schools are good at teaching knowledge, but much weaker at practical skills like communication, managing money or working in a team. A lot of graduates find that their first job is where they actually learn how to work.

How might education change in the next twenty years?

I suspect it'll become much more personalised. AI tutors can already adapt to each student's level, so teachers may spend less time explaining basics and more time guiding projects and discussions. The risk is that students who don't have good internet access fall even further behind.