Discussion (Discuss both views) Technology Task 2

Some people think that children should be taught to write computer programs from primary school. Others believe that time would be better spent on reading and writing.

A full IELTS Writing Task 2 answer to this question, with a paragraph plan, ideas you can use, and the vocabulary that fits this topic.

The question

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some people think that children should be taught to write computer programs from primary school. Others believe that time would be better spent on reading and writing.

Discuss both these 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.

How to read this question

The two views are presented as competing for the same curriculum time, and unlike some discussion questions this trade-off is real — a school day is genuinely fixed. The word worth pressing is "instead": the question is not whether coding is useful but whether it is more useful than the hours it would displace. An answer that praises coding without acknowledging what gets cut has not engaged with the choice.

Paragraph plan

Introduction — Paraphrase both views, then state a position: literacy is the prerequisite for everything including coding, so it wins where they genuinely compete.

Body 1 — The case for coding — computational thinking as a general reasoning skill, and early exposure widening who considers technical work.

Body 2 — The case for literacy — reading is the medium of all later learning, and gaps in it compound in a way that a late start in coding does not.

Conclusion — Literacy first on grounds of compounding, but the framing is partly false: coding taught well is largely a literacy and reasoning activity.

Model essay

Band 8.5–9.0 model essay

326 words

Some believe that primary school children should be taught computer programming, while others argue that this time would be better devoted to reading and writing. In my view, foundational literacy should remain the priority in early education, though basic exposure to programming can still be valuable if introduced without displacing core skills.

On the one hand, supporters of early programming education argue that coding cultivates logical thinking and prepares children for a technology-driven future. To clarify, learning to write simple code teaches children to break problems into sequential steps and identify errors systematically, skills that are transferable to mathematics and science, and this early analytical training can make later, more advanced study considerably more accessible. Moreover, given that digital literacy is increasingly essential across nearly all professions, introducing programming early may give children a valuable head start in an economy where technological competence is highly prized.

On the other hand, critics contend that reading and writing remain far more fundamental to a child's overall development. To illustrate, without strong literacy skills, children struggle to comprehend instructions in any subject, including programming itself, and their capacity for critical thinking, communication, and comprehension is severely constrained. Given that primary school curricula already face significant time pressure, introducing an additional subject risks crowding out the instructional hours needed to firmly establish reading and writing competence.

From my perspective, literacy should remain the central focus of primary education, as it forms the foundation upon which nearly all subsequent learning, including programming, depends. However, this does not preclude limited, informal exposure to coding concepts, such as through short, occasional activities that do not significantly reduce time devoted to reading and writing, allowing children to develop an early interest without compromising core academic skills.

To conclude, while both programming and literacy offer valuable skills, I believe reading and writing should remain the priority in primary education, with coding introduced only in a limited capacity that does not detract from these essential foundations.

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This is a discussion (discuss both views) question. The essay above shows you what a strong answer looks like when it is finished. What it cannot show you is how to get there from a blank page in forty minutes.

That is what our Writing Study Library is for: the structure we teach for this exact question type, the paragraph pattern that goes with it, and the sentence openers for each stage — so the essay is planned before you start writing rather than assembled as you go.

See the structure for this question type →

Ideas & vocabulary for this topic

Ideas you can use

Introduction: Paraphrase both views on teaching programming versus prioritising reading and writing in primary school, and state the opinion that literacy should remain the priority.
Body 1: Explain the case for early programming: it builds logical, sequential thinking transferable to maths and science and gives children a head start in a technology-driven economy.
Body 2: Explain the case for prioritising reading and writing: literacy underlies comprehension in every subject including programming, and crowded curricula risk losing instructional hours needed for core reading and writing skills.
Body 3: Give the writer's own opinion: literacy should stay central since it is the foundation for all later learning, but brief, informal coding exposure is fine as long as it does not cut into reading and writing time.
Conclusion: Restate that reading and writing should remain the priority in primary education, with coding introduced only in a limited capacity.

Word or phrase	Meaning	Used in a sentence
foundational literacy	basic reading and writing ability that underlies further learning	foundational literacy should remain the priority in early education
sequential steps	a series of steps following one after another in order	teaches children to break problems into sequential steps
transferable	able to be applied in a different context	skills that are transferable to mathematics and science
digital literacy	the ability to use digital technology effectively	digital literacy is increasingly essential across nearly all professions
comprehend	to understand fully	children struggle to comprehend instructions in any subject
curricula	courses of study offered by a school (plural of curriculum)	primary school curricula already face significant time pressure
preclude	to prevent from happening	this does not preclude limited, informal exposure to coding concepts
foundations	the basis on which something is built	coding introduced only in a limited capacity that does not detract from these essential foundations

Created by a Band 8.5–9.0 IELTS Writing achiever — Premium. Sign up free to see the ideas and vocabulary for this topic and unlock every model on the site.

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Common questions

Should I acknowledge what would be removed from the timetable?

Yes — it is what makes the answer feel real. The question contains "instead", so it is about a trade-off. Essays that list the benefits of coding without ever admitting something must go have answered an easier question, and examiners notice.

Can I end by saying the two views overlap?

You can, provided you have already given a clear answer to the choice. The Band 8.5 model decides firmly, then observes that the opposition is partly illusory. Leading with the overlap instead of the decision reads as avoidance.

Is it acceptable to write about equity or fairness in an education question?

Absolutely — it usually strengthens an answer, because it introduces a consideration beyond the obvious practical ones. Keep it specific: name who is affected and how, rather than asserting in general that something is unfair.

How do I show a strong opinion without sounding aggressive?

Use hedged but definite language — "the choice is not close", "my conclusion is firm but narrow". Certainty about your position combined with precision about its limits reads as confident rather than dogmatic, and it demonstrates the qualification the higher bands describe.