IELTS Writing Task 2 – Two-Part Question (Adults Returning to Education)

In recent years, a growing number of adults have chosen to return to higher education. In my view, most of them do this to improve their careers or to follow an old dream, but they often struggle to find enough time and to feel confident in the classroom.

Adults return to education for two main reasons. The first is career development. Many jobs change quickly because of new technology, so workers need fresh skills to keep their position or to earn a higher salary. For instance, an office worker might take an evening course in data analysis to qualify for a promotion. The second reason is personal fulfilment. Some adults could not go to university when they were young, perhaps because their family needed them to work. Now that they have more financial security, they want to finally study a subject they love, such as history or literature, simply for the satisfaction of earning a degree.

However, returning to study also brings two main difficulties. The first is finding enough time. Most adult learners have a full-time job and a family, so setting aside a few quiet hours each week for lectures and homework can be very stressful. For example, a parent who works until six may only be able to study late at night, when they are already exhausted. The second difficulty is a lack of confidence. After many years away from school, adult learners may feel nervous about exams or worry that their younger classmates learn faster. As a result, some of them give up during the first year.

In conclusion, adults usually return to education for better jobs or for personal satisfaction. The main challenges they face are a lack of time and a lack of confidence, which can lead some of them to give up.

In recent years, a growing number of people have chosen to leave their home country to work abroad. In my view, they mainly do this for higher salaries and career development, although they often face loneliness and language barriers.

There are two main reasons why people move abroad for work. The first is higher salaries. Wages for the same job can be several times higher in richer countries, so workers can save money and support their families back home. For instance, a nurse from the Philippines who works in the UK can often earn enough to pay for her younger siblings' education. The second reason is career development. Some industries, such as technology and finance, are much larger in certain countries, so workers can gain experience in international companies and learn skills that are hard to find at home. As a result, they may return with a stronger CV and find better-paid jobs in their own country.

However, working abroad also brings two main difficulties. The first is loneliness. Migrant workers often leave their partners, children and friends behind and may only see them once a year. Without this support, many feel isolated, especially during holidays and family celebrations. The second difficulty is the language barrier. Even workers who are highly skilled at their jobs can struggle to understand colleagues, deal with paperwork or see a doctor if they do not speak the local language well. For example, many foreign construction workers in Japan find it hard to follow safety instructions at first, which makes their work more stressful and even dangerous.

In conclusion, people move abroad to work mainly for higher salaries and career development. However, they often have to cope with loneliness and language barriers.

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