spoken language essay examples

Essays About Language: Top 5 Examples and 7 Prompts

Language is the key to expressive communication; let our essay examples and writing prompts inspire you if you are writing essays about language.

When we communicate with one another, we use a system called language. It mainly consists of words, which, when combined, form phrases and sentences we use to talk to one another. However, some forms of language do not require written or verbal communication, such as sign language. 

Language can also refer to how we write or say things. For example, we can speak to friends using colloquial expressions and slang, while academic writing demands precise, formal language. Language is a complex concept with many meanings; discover the secrets of language in our informative guide.

5 Top Essay Examples

1. a global language: english language by dallas ryan , 2. language and its importance to society by shelly shah, 3. language: the essence of culture by kelsey holmes.

• 4.  Foreign Language Speech by Sophie Carson
• 5. ​​Attitudes to Language by Kurt Medina

1. My Native Language

2. the advantages of bilingualism, 3. language and technology, 4. why language matters, 5. slang and communication, 6. english is the official language of the u.s..

“Furthermore, using English, people can have more friends, widen peer relationships with foreigners and can not get lost. Overall, English becomes a global language; people may have more chances in communication. Another crucial advantage is improving business. If English was spoken widespread and everyone could use it, they would likely have more opportunities in business. Foreign investments from rich countries might be supported to the poorer countries.”

In this essay, Ryan enumerates both the advantages and disadvantages of using English; it seems that Ryan proposes uniting the world under the English language. English, a well-known and commonly-spoken language can help people to communicate better, which can foster better connections with one another. However, people would lose their native language and promote a specific culture rather than diversity. Ultimately, Ryan believes that English is a “global language,” and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages

“Language is a constituent element of civilization. It raised man from a savage state to the plane which he was capable of reaching. Man could not become man except by language. An essential point in which man differs from animals is that man alone is the sole possessor of language. No doubt animals also exhibit certain degree of power of communication but that is not only inferior in degree to human language, but also radically diverse in kind from it.”

Shah writes about the meaning of language, its role in society, and its place as an institution serving the purposes of the people using it. Most importantly, she writes about why it is necessary; the way we communicate through language separates us as humans from all other living things. It also carries individual culture and allows one to convey their thoughts. You might find our list of TOEFL writing topics helpful.

“Cultural identity is heavily dependent on a number of factors including ethnicity, gender, geographic location, religion, language, and so much more.  Culture is defined as a “historically transmitted system of symbols, meanings, and norms.”  Knowing a language automatically enables someone to identify with others who speak the same language.  This connection is such an important part of cultural exchange”

In this short essay, Homes discusses how language reflects a person’s cultural identity and the importance of communication in a civilized society. Different communities and cultures use specific sounds and understand their meanings to communicate. From this, writing was developed. Knowing a language makes connecting with others of the same culture easier. 

4.   Foreign Language Speech by Sophie Carson

“Ultimately, learning a foreign language will improve a child’s overall thinking and learning skills in general, making them smarter in many different unrelated areas. Their creativity is highly improved as they are more trained to look at problems from different angles and think outside of the box. This flexible thinking makes them better problem solvers since they can see problems from different perspectives. The better thinking skills developed from learning a foreign language have also been seen through testing scores.”

Carson writes about some of the benefits of learning a foreign language, especially during childhood. During childhood, the brain is more flexible, and it is easier for one to learn a new language in their younger years. Among many other benefits, bilingualism has been shown to improve memory and open up more parts of a child’s brain, helping them hone their critical thinking skills. Teaching children a foreign language makes them more aware of the world around them and can open up opportunities in the future.

5. ​​ Attitudes to Language by Kurt Medina

“Increasingly, educators are becoming aware that a person’s native language is an integral part of who that person is and marginalizing the language can have severe damaging effects on that person’s psyche. Many linguists consistently make a case for teaching native languages alongside the target languages so that children can clearly differentiate among the codes”

As its title suggests, Medina’s essay revolves around different attitudes towards types of language, whether it be vernacular language or dialects. He discusses this in the context of Caribbean cultures, where different dialects and languages are widespread, and people switch between languages quickly. Medina mentions how we tend to modify the language we use in different situations, depending on how formal or informal we need to be. 

6 Prompts for Essays About Language

In your essay, you can write about your native language. For example, explain how it originated and some of its characteristics. Write about why you are proud of it or persuade others to try learning it. To add depth to your essay, include a section with common phrases or idioms from your native language and explain their meaning.

Bilingualism has been said to enhance a whole range of cognitive skills, from a longer attention span to better memory. Look into the different advantages of speaking two or more languages, and use these to promote bilingualism. Cite scientific research papers and reference their findings in your essay for a compelling piece of writing.

In the 21st century, the development of new technology has blurred the lines between communication and isolation; it has undoubtedly changed how we interact and use language. For example, many words have been replaced in day-to-day communication by texting lingo and slang. In addition, technology has made us communicate more virtually and non-verbally. Research and discuss how the 21st century has changed how we interact and “do language” worldwide, whether it has improved or worsened. 

We often change how we speak depending on the situation; we use different words and expressions. Why do we do this? Based on a combination of personal experience and research, reflect on why it is essential to use appropriate language in different scenarios.

Different cultures use different forms of slang. Slang is a type of language consisting of informal words and expressions. Some hold negative views towards slang, saying that it degrades the language system, while others believe it allows people to express their culture. Write about whether you believe slang should be acceptable or not: defend your position by giving evidence either that slang is detrimental to language or that it poses no threat.

English is the most spoken language in the United States and is used in government documents; it is all but the country’s official language. Do you believe the government should finally declare English the country’s official language? Research the viewpoints of both sides and form a conclusion; support your argument with sufficient details and research. 

Check out our guide packed full of transition words for essays .If you’re stuck picking your next essay topic, check out our guide on how to write an essay about diversity .

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Speaking, writing and reading are integral to everyday life, where language is the primary tool for expression and communication. Studying how people use language – what words and phrases they unconsciously choose and combine – can help us better understand ourselves and why we behave the way we do.

Linguistics scholars seek to determine what is unique and universal about the language we use, how it is acquired and the ways it changes over time. They consider language as a cultural, social and psychological phenomenon.

“Understanding why and how languages differ tells about the range of what is human,” said Dan Jurafsky , the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor in Humanities and chair of the Department of Linguistics in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford . “Discovering what’s universal about languages can help us understand the core of our humanity.”

The stories below represent some of the ways linguists have investigated many aspects of language, including its semantics and syntax, phonetics and phonology, and its social, psychological and computational aspects.

Understanding stereotypes

Stanford linguists and psychologists study how language is interpreted by people. Even the slightest differences in language use can correspond with biased beliefs of the speakers, according to research.

One study showed that a relatively harmless sentence, such as “girls are as good as boys at math,” can subtly perpetuate sexist stereotypes. Because of the statement’s grammatical structure, it implies that being good at math is more common or natural for boys than girls, the researchers said.

Language can play a big role in how we and others perceive the world, and linguists work to discover what words and phrases can influence us, unknowingly.

How well-meaning statements can spread stereotypes unintentionally

New Stanford research shows that sentences that frame one gender as the standard for the other can unintentionally perpetuate biases.

Algorithms reveal changes in stereotypes

New Stanford research shows that, over the past century, linguistic changes in gender and ethnic stereotypes correlated with major social movements and demographic changes in the U.S. Census data.

Exploring what an interruption is in conversation

Stanford doctoral candidate Katherine Hilton found that people perceive interruptions in conversation differently, and those perceptions differ depending on the listener’s own conversational style as well as gender.

Cops speak less respectfully to black community members

Professors Jennifer Eberhardt and Dan Jurafsky, along with other Stanford researchers, detected racial disparities in police officers’ speech after analyzing more than 100 hours of body camera footage from Oakland Police.

How other languages inform our own

People speak roughly 7,000 languages worldwide. Although there is a lot in common among languages, each one is unique, both in its structure and in the way it reflects the culture of the people who speak it.

Jurafsky said it’s important to study languages other than our own and how they develop over time because it can help scholars understand what lies at the foundation of humans’ unique way of communicating with one another.

“All this research can help us discover what it means to be human,” Jurafsky said.

Stanford PhD student documents indigenous language of Papua New Guinea

Fifth-year PhD student Kate Lindsey recently returned to the United States after a year of documenting an obscure language indigenous to the South Pacific nation.

Students explore Esperanto across Europe

In a research project spanning eight countries, two Stanford students search for Esperanto, a constructed language, against the backdrop of European populism.

Chris Manning: How computers are learning to understand language​

A computer scientist discusses the evolution of computational linguistics and where it’s headed next.

Stanford research explores novel perspectives on the evolution of Spanish

Using digital tools and literature to explore the evolution of the Spanish language, Stanford researcher Cuauhtémoc García-García reveals a new historical perspective on linguistic changes in Latin America and Spain.

Language as a lens into behavior

Linguists analyze how certain speech patterns correspond to particular behaviors, including how language can impact people’s buying decisions or influence their social media use.

For example, in one research paper, a group of Stanford researchers examined the differences in how Republicans and Democrats express themselves online to better understand how a polarization of beliefs can occur on social media.

“We live in a very polarized time,” Jurafsky said. “Understanding what different groups of people say and why is the first step in determining how we can help bring people together.”

Analyzing the tweets of Republicans and Democrats

New research by Dora Demszky and colleagues examined how Republicans and Democrats express themselves online in an attempt to understand how polarization of beliefs occurs on social media.

Examining bilingual behavior of children at Texas preschool

A Stanford senior studied a group of bilingual children at a Spanish immersion preschool in Texas to understand how they distinguished between their two languages.

Predicting sales of online products from advertising language

Stanford linguist Dan Jurafsky and colleagues have found that products in Japan sell better if their advertising includes polite language and words that invoke cultural traditions or authority.

Language can help the elderly cope with the challenges of aging, says Stanford professor

By examining conversations of elderly Japanese women, linguist Yoshiko Matsumoto uncovers language techniques that help people move past traumatic events and regain a sense of normalcy.

Language - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

Language is a system of communication consisting of sounds, words, and grammar used by a particular community to communicate. Essays on language could explore its evolution, the impact of language on culture and identity, language acquisition, or the relationships between language, thought, and society. The study of linguistics and the exploration of different languages and dialects might also be discussed. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Language you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Early Childhood Language and Literacy Development

Early childhood language and literacy development for the children aged 0-8 years old is strongly influenced by the linguistic environment of the child. ""Many educators and researchers have attempted to address the literacy skills that children will need to succeed in the 21st century and, in doing so, have discovered something of a paradox. Young children these days are so immersed into Ipads and smart phones, (which their little hands can easily hold and navigate by swiping) that they learn […]

Demonstrative Speech of American Sign Language Phrases

The presentation is going to last 5.5 minutes, and the speaker is going to demonstrate skills that and knowledge of the topic discussed. There is going to have a specific way that the introduction is going to be put, steps to follow and a valid conclusion. The theme chosen will work as long as it supports a specific criterion and measures to accomplish the objective. The speech needs to use a visual aid since it is dealing with the deaf. […]

Dyslexia as a Common Disease

Dyslexia Learning to read and write can be a challenging task but imagine if you had a learning disability. This task would become much more difficult and you would have to work twice as hard as your peers. Although there are many different types of learning disabilities, this paper will be discussing the learning disability called dyslexia. The signs, causes, and treatments of dyslexia will be discussed thoroughly as well as how dyslexia affects a child's reading and writing skills. […]

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Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Language Discrimination and Color Perception

It is compelling how there exists a connection between language use and thoughts and behaviors. The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis is the theory that thoughts and actions of a person are influenced by the languages that a person speaks. Winawer et al., (2007) further investigated how color perception is indicative of cultural differences and the effects of language on thought. Winawer and colleagues tested perceptual discrimination on objectively easy tasks by asking participants to complete these tasks with and without verbal intervention. […]

Why Might it be Important to Learn a Second Language?

Today, the world is dominated by an economy which is dynamic in nature. With the advent of new thoughts and their infusion into trade and commerce has made the society being solely led by business. The theory propounded by Charles Darwin, survival of the fittest is now being hailed as the ultimate principle in the struggle of the achievement of the individual objective-SUCCESS.Here the importance of a second language has come to the forefront. An individual who is bilingual has […]

King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail

Letter from a Birmingham jail, written by Martin Luther King Jr, depicts the visceral experience of black minorities during the 1900s. including a response to the clergymen who criticized him for his non-violent efforts. These clergymen had accused King of being an outside agitator whose demonstrations were “unwise and untimely.” Dr. King structured the letter using multiple literary techniques throughout the piece, including intense imagery, and emotional appeal in order to make his message effective. The letter gives his readers […]

Language Barrier as a Challenge of Intercultural Communication

Modern academic environment is becoming increasingly multicultural, therefore higher educational faculty have the added responsibility to learn more about students’s cultural, educational, linguistic background. Since Englishes spoken in the classroom can vary greatly from Standard British English norms, it is essencial for educators to be aware of possible deviations in order to enhance communication and boost student achievement. The phonetic alterations in the Nigerian English are being discussed as the one widely represented in Ukraine. Key words: intercultural education, language […]

Language Layers: Exploring Connotative Vs. Denotative Meanings

Language, in its essence, is an ever-evolving tapestry of expression. It's not just about the words we choose; it's about the depth and variety of meanings those words convey. This brings us to the fascinating dichotomy between connotative and denotative meanings in language. Understanding this distinction is essential, not only for students of language and literature but for anyone seeking to communicate effectively and appreciate the richness of language. At its core, the denotative meaning of a word is its […]

A Cultural Value

A cultural value is a term which is widely used to describe the people's way of living in their own community. This can as well be discussed as the people's way of life which is considered to be acceptable and it does not offend anyone in the community at large. It also clearly explains how a certain group of people do their things systematically according to their society. This can include both the acceptable and inacceptable where the acceptable is […]

Language of the Windy City: the Richness of the Chicago Accent

Imagine walking down the bustling streets of Chicago, and you're immediately hit by a symphony of sounds unique to the city. Among these sounds is the distinctive Chicago accent, a linguistic melody that's as much a part of the city as deep-dish pizza and the Cubs. This isn't just any accent; it's a badge of Chicago's identity, steeped in rich history and cultural diversity. Let's take a walk through the linguistic landscape of the Windy City, exploring the nuances of […]

The American Tongue(s): why the U.S. Skips an Official Language

Let's dive into a quirky fact about the United States – it's a linguistic jigsaw puzzle without a picture on the box. That's right, the U.S., known for its "melting pot" culture, doesn't have an official language at the federal level. In a country where you can order your coffee in Spanish in Miami, speak Chinese in San Francisco's Chinatown, and hear dozens of other languages on a New York subway, the absence of an official language is both a […]

New Country, New Life

Traveling, exploring, and moving are life changing experiences. The new things that individuals are able to explore gives them the chance to learn about the ways of life in another culture. People move to a new country for various reasons. I, along with my family, moved to the United States from England in 2004. However, long before this it all started with the Scandinavians who discovered native people in North America around A.D. 1000. Short lived as their stay was, […]

The Tale of Two Spellings in Language: ‘Travelled’ Vs. ‘Traveled

Ever found yourself second-guessing your spelling of the word 'travelled' or 'traveled'? You're not alone. This spelling conundrum isn't just a quirky feature of English; it's a linguistic snapshot of history, a tale of two Englishes – the British and the American. Let’s unpack the story behind these two spellings and what they say about the evolution of the English language. Here's the deal: 'Travelled' with double 'l' is how the Brits spell it. Across the pond, Americans prefer 'traveled' […]

Alliteration: the Sonic Symphony of Figurative Language

In the captivating mosaic of language's artistic arsenal, alliteration emerges as a virtuoso, orchestrating a symphony of sounds that reverberate through the corridors of literature. Like a skillful conductor, it weaves a melodic tapestry, binding words with a harmonious resonance that transcends mere expression, elevating language to a realm of poetic charm and vivid imagery. Alliteration, born from the marriage of consonant clusters, breathes life into prose and verse alike. Its rhythmic repetition of initial consonant sounds serves as a […]

Broca’s Area: Deciphering the Brain Language Maestro

Nestled within the convoluted landscapes of the brain lies an enigmatic realm crucial to our linguistic prowess—Broca's area. This cerebral gem, christened after the pioneering neuroscientist Paul Broca, reigns supreme as the linchpin orchestrating the symphony of language comprehension and production. Seated majestically in the left frontal lobe, Broca's area emerges as a cerebral cornerstone governing the intricate mechanisms underpinning speech and language processing. Its prowess extends far beyond mere articulation, delving into the complex web of language comprehension and […]

Conjunctive Adverbs: the Connective Tissue of Language

Conjunctive adverbs, often overlooked in discussions of grammar and style, are like the connective tissue of language. They serve a pivotal role in binding sentences and ideas together, providing clarity, continuity, and nuance to our expressions. These versatile words or phrases are more than mere linguistic ornaments; they are essential tools that enhance the coherence and complexity of our communication. This essay explores the nature, usage, and importance of conjunctive adverbs, shedding light on their role in the tapestry of […]

Esperanza in ‘House on Mango Street’

The American Book Award is not easily achievable, however, The House on Mango Street is highly known due to it is required to read in Middle Schools, High Schools, and some Universities across the country, The House on Mango Street is known for its vignettes that is filled with literature and the struggle of Esperanza, where she struggles to find herself and still be able to fit into society where Hispanics are oppressed because their primary language is not English, […]

Unraveling the Layers: Denotation and Connotation in Language

The complexity and beauty of language lies not just in the formation of sentences or in poetic verses, but deeply within individual words themselves. Each word, depending on its usage and context, can paint a picture worth a thousand more words. This is particularly true when we explore the concepts of denotative and connotative meanings. Understanding the interplay between these two is vital, as it sheds light on how language impacts thought, emotion, and society at large. The denotative meaning […]

Me Talk Pretty One Day Analysis: Overcoming Language Barriers

Introduction to "Me Talk Pretty One Day" The essay "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris is an essay about overcoming a difficult task while learning something new and never giving up on the main goal. The author describes the learning environment, personal feelings, and difficulty with the teacher. By revisiting the essay, I am reassured that the goal of this essay was to entertain and give the reader the background of what it was like to learn French […]

Language Learning Essay: Motivation and Bilingualism’s Impact

Exploring the Depth of Bilingualism: Research Insights on Motivation and Cognitive Growth Robert, C. & Wallace, E. (1972). Attitudes and Motivation in Second-Language Learning. The book uses a summary of a 12-year research program that mainly focused on second language acquisition as well as the different factors that can affect students’ academic achievement. The authors also focused on how different students have different skills while learning new languages, specifically students who were learning French and English. The authors first hypothesized […]

Overcoming Language and Gender Shyness: Journey in the USA

"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it." Molière. 'When I came to the US, There were many obstacles in my life as Language and Gender Issues.' I have never imagined my life here. When I came here, I faced a lot of problems. My most big problems were language and a lack of confidence because of Gender Issues. My first problem was my language because my native language is Urdu. I had not spoken proper English in […]

Dominance of English in the World

1. Introduction As English has established its position as the commonest language in the world, its imperialistic and dominant aspects have been often discussed among scholars. It is even argued that the world has been dominated by English and its speakers and English has had strong power. Indeed, English is spoken by a variety of speakers all over the world not only in English speaking countries which are called 'inner circle countries' but also in other countries which have other […]

Research Related to Learning a New Language

There have been many research findings when it comes to the topic of bilingualism. Whether it is how it comes with good or bad things, how it can affect your cognition and even what it takes to possibly learn a new language. We have seen the positives with being bilingual and that is having better cognitive abilities, different parts of the brain can be seen differently and even in the neurological area we have seen some changes. Some positive that […]

Realization in Life through the Language

Ironically, growing up in a Mexican household I was taught to speak English rather than Spanish. English is known for us to be a universal language that can bring many opportunities; making English prefered over our mother tongue. Some of the opportunities English promises are access to higher education, better jobs, and social status. Although learning English at a young age would be beneficial in the future, I realized it deteriorated my Spanish linguistics. Being identified as a bilingual person […]

Mastering the Second Language

 Mastering our primary language happens as naturally as learning to walk. We do not suffer through hours of phonics practice, parents’ frustration at futile attempts to burn words into our brains, or the fate of being disciplined. Our language skills develop naturally in an informal, fun way. We learn painlessly without knowing we are learning. So too, can young children learn secondary languages at a young age. In order to be competitive in the world, students must begin learning a […]

Interpersonal Communication and Cultural Stereotypes

Abstract In recent years interactions between people from different cultures have increased, and this has been primarily due to globalization. Nowadays, many of us are living in a globalized society, and we must be able to understand other cultures better to connect with them. Cultural stereotypes and interactions can be difficult to navigate for the individual who's part of this particular culture and those from a different one. This paper will take an in-depth look at how interpersonal communications help […]

Different Dimensions of Diversity

The issue of diversity has always raised debates. Diversity means different things to different people. In a study of 180 Spanish corporate managers, explored perceptions of diversity and found that depending on who is answering, diversity usually means one of three things: demographic diversity (our gender, race, sexual orientation, and so on), experiential diversity (our affinities, hobbies, and abilities), and cognitive diversity (how we approach problems and think about things). All three types shape identity — or rather, identities (Aragón, […]

Effect of Writing Anxiety on Students’ Performance

Writing is one of the important language proficiency for academic and occupational aim that almost all people use to accomplish their purposes in their daily activities.  A great number of researches have been done to investigate the effect of writing anxiety on students' performance in the target language in different parts of academic setting in different institution around the world. scovel (1978 as cited in Saghafi, Adel, & Zareian, 2017) defines anxiety as "apprehension, a vague fear that is only […]

Differences between Chinese and American Cultures

Growing up near a neighbor that was a different culture than me was insightful. We were the same age and went to the same school. His name is Francis Kimura. It was neat to watch the way he did traditions and to see what he valued. He was adopted when he was ten years old. He also has a sister who was adopted from China, but they do not have biological parents. Even though his adopted parents were American, they […]

Creolization as a Cultural and Linguistic Event

Language is one very important aspect of the society and is the basis of communication, and without this, the essence of living won't be in existence. Though time then languages may develop and through the man dialects, a new language may come up as a result of the fabrication of the same and the essence of coming up with culture. Most importantly, this is part of a cultural formation that leads to the emergence of dialects. Culture defines what people […]

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• Example of a great essay | Explanations, tips & tricks

Example of a Great Essay | Explanations, Tips & Tricks

Published on February 9, 2015 by Shane Bryson . Revised on July 23, 2023 by Shona McCombes.

This example guides you through the structure of an essay. It shows how to build an effective introduction , focused paragraphs , clear transitions between ideas, and a strong conclusion .

Each paragraph addresses a single central point, introduced by a topic sentence , and each point is directly related to the thesis statement .

As you read, hover over the highlighted parts to learn what they do and why they work.

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Table of contents

Other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about writing an essay, an appeal to the senses: the development of the braille system in nineteenth-century france.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

In France, debates about how to deal with disability led to the adoption of different strategies over time. While people with temporary difficulties were able to access public welfare, the most common response to people with long-term disabilities, such as hearing or vision loss, was to group them together in institutions (Tombs, 1996). At first, a joint institute for the blind and deaf was created, and although the partnership was motivated more by financial considerations than by the well-being of the residents, the institute aimed to help people develop skills valuable to society (Weygand, 2009). Eventually blind institutions were separated from deaf institutions, and the focus shifted towards education of the blind, as was the case for the Royal Institute for Blind Youth, which Louis Braille attended (Jimenez et al, 2009). The growing acknowledgement of the uniqueness of different disabilities led to more targeted education strategies, fostering an environment in which the benefits of a specifically blind education could be more widely recognized.

Several different systems of tactile reading can be seen as forerunners to the method Louis Braille developed, but these systems were all developed based on the sighted system. The Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris taught the students to read embossed roman letters, a method created by the school’s founder, Valentin Hauy (Jimenez et al., 2009). Reading this way proved to be a rather arduous task, as the letters were difficult to distinguish by touch. The embossed letter method was based on the reading system of sighted people, with minimal adaptation for those with vision loss. As a result, this method did not gain significant success among blind students.

Louis Braille was bound to be influenced by his school’s founder, but the most influential pre-Braille tactile reading system was Charles Barbier’s night writing. A soldier in Napoleon’s army, Barbier developed a system in 1819 that used 12 dots with a five line musical staff (Kersten, 1997). His intention was to develop a system that would allow the military to communicate at night without the need for light (Herron, 2009). The code developed by Barbier was phonetic (Jimenez et al., 2009); in other words, the code was designed for sighted people and was based on the sounds of words, not on an actual alphabet. Barbier discovered that variants of raised dots within a square were the easiest method of reading by touch (Jimenez et al., 2009). This system proved effective for the transmission of short messages between military personnel, but the symbols were too large for the fingertip, greatly reducing the speed at which a message could be read (Herron, 2009). For this reason, it was unsuitable for daily use and was not widely adopted in the blind community.

Nevertheless, Barbier’s military dot system was more efficient than Hauy’s embossed letters, and it provided the framework within which Louis Braille developed his method. Barbier’s system, with its dashes and dots, could form over 4000 combinations (Jimenez et al., 2009). Compared to the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet, this was an absurdly high number. Braille kept the raised dot form, but developed a more manageable system that would reflect the sighted alphabet. He replaced Barbier’s dashes and dots with just six dots in a rectangular configuration (Jimenez et al., 2009). The result was that the blind population in France had a tactile reading system using dots (like Barbier’s) that was based on the structure of the sighted alphabet (like Hauy’s); crucially, this system was the first developed specifically for the purposes of the blind.

While the Braille system gained immediate popularity with the blind students at the Institute in Paris, it had to gain acceptance among the sighted before its adoption throughout France. This support was necessary because sighted teachers and leaders had ultimate control over the propagation of Braille resources. Many of the teachers at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth resisted learning Braille’s system because they found the tactile method of reading difficult to learn (Bullock & Galst, 2009). This resistance was symptomatic of the prevalent attitude that the blind population had to adapt to the sighted world rather than develop their own tools and methods. Over time, however, with the increasing impetus to make social contribution possible for all, teachers began to appreciate the usefulness of Braille’s system (Bullock & Galst, 2009), realizing that access to reading could help improve the productivity and integration of people with vision loss. It took approximately 30 years, but the French government eventually approved the Braille system, and it was established throughout the country (Bullock & Galst, 2009).

Although Blind people remained marginalized throughout the nineteenth century, the Braille system granted them growing opportunities for social participation. Most obviously, Braille allowed people with vision loss to read the same alphabet used by sighted people (Bullock & Galst, 2009), allowing them to participate in certain cultural experiences previously unavailable to them. Written works, such as books and poetry, had previously been inaccessible to the blind population without the aid of a reader, limiting their autonomy. As books began to be distributed in Braille, this barrier was reduced, enabling people with vision loss to access information autonomously. The closing of the gap between the abilities of blind and the sighted contributed to a gradual shift in blind people’s status, lessening the cultural perception of the blind as essentially different and facilitating greater social integration.

The Braille system also had important cultural effects beyond the sphere of written culture. Its invention later led to the development of a music notation system for the blind, although Louis Braille did not develop this system himself (Jimenez, et al., 2009). This development helped remove a cultural obstacle that had been introduced by the popularization of written musical notation in the early 1500s. While music had previously been an arena in which the blind could participate on equal footing, the transition from memory-based performance to notation-based performance meant that blind musicians were no longer able to compete with sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997). As a result, a tactile musical notation system became necessary for professional equality between blind and sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997).

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

Bullock, J. D., & Galst, J. M. (2009). The Story of Louis Braille. Archives of Ophthalmology , 127(11), 1532. https://​doi.org/10.1001/​archophthalmol.2009.286.

Herron, M. (2009, May 6). Blind visionary. Retrieved from https://​eandt.theiet.org/​content/​articles/2009/05/​blind-visionary/.

Jiménez, J., Olea, J., Torres, J., Alonso, I., Harder, D., & Fischer, K. (2009). Biography of Louis Braille and Invention of the Braille Alphabet. Survey of Ophthalmology , 54(1), 142–149. https://​doi.org/10.1016/​j.survophthal.2008.10.006.

Kersten, F.G. (1997). The history and development of Braille music methodology. The Bulletin of Historical Research in Music Education , 18(2). Retrieved from https://​www.jstor.org/​stable/40214926.

Mellor, C.M. (2006). Louis Braille: A touch of genius . Boston: National Braille Press.

Tombs, R. (1996). France: 1814-1914 . London: Pearson Education Ltd.

Weygand, Z. (2009). The blind in French society from the Middle Ages to the century of Louis Braille . Stanford: Stanford University Press.

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

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The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

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At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

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Essay on English as a Global Language

500 Words Essay On English as a Global Language

A global language is one that is spoken and understood at an international level by a wide variety of people. Moreover, no language in the world better fits this description than the English language. This essay on English as a global language will shed more light on this issue.

                                                                                                  Essay on English as a Global Language

Why English is a Global Language

When it comes to languages, one can make a strong argument that a strong link exists between dominance and cultural power. Furthermore, the main factor that the languages become popular is due to a powerful power-base, whether economic or political or military.

The derivation of the English language took place from languages like French, Latin, German, and other European languages. This can be a reason why many Europeans don’t find English a difficult language to learn. Furthermore, linguists argue whether the simplicity of the English language is the main reason for it becoming a global language.

The Latin script of the English language appears less complicated for people to recognize and learn. Also, the pronunciation of the English language is not as complex as other languages like Korean or Turkish for example.

Generally, the difficulty level of a language varies from person to person and it also depends on the culture to which one may belong. For example, a Korean person would find less difficulty in mastering the Japanese language in comparison to a German person. This is because of the close proximity of the Korean and Japanese cultures.

Due to the massive British colonial conquests , no culture is in complete oblivion of the English language or words. As such, English is a language that should not appear as too alien or strange to any community. Consequently, learning English is not such big of a deal for most people as they can find a certain level of familiarity with the language.

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The Effectiveness of the English Language

English is a very effective language and this is evident due to the presence of various native and non-native speakers on a global scale. Furthermore, according to statistics, one-fourth of the world is either fluent in the English language or content with it. While it’s true that the number of native Mandarin speakers is the greatest in the world, Mandarin is not the global language due to its complex spellings, grammar , and letter system.

The English language, on the other hand, does not suffer from such complexity problems. Furthermore, the English language has a lot of words and synonyms to express something. As such, any word or its meaning can be expressed with a high level of accuracy.

Conclusion of the Essay on English as a Global Language

English is certainly the most widely spoken language in the world by far. On a global scale, English has the most number of speakers, who speak English either as a first or second language. Without a doubt, no other language in the world can come close to English in terms of its immense popularity.

FAQs For Essay on English as a Global Language

Question 1: Why English is referred to as the global language?

Answer 1:  Many consider English as a global language because it is the one language that the majority of the population in almost every region of the world can speak and understand. Furthermore, the language enjoys worldwide acceptance and usage by every nation of the world. Therefore, it is an extremely essential global language.

Question 2: How English became the global language in the world?

Answer 2: By the late 18th century, the British Empire had made a lot of colonies. Moreover, they had established their geopolitical dominance all over the world. Consequently, the English language quickly spread in the British colonies.

There was also the contribution of technology, science, diplomacy, commerce, art, and formal education which led to English becoming a truly global language of the world.

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Perception of Spoken and Written Language Essay

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Introduction

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Human beings are the most complex of all living things due to their developed communication tools that involve the use of language and written words. While other animals use non verbal communication methods, human beings have evolved and advanced their methods of communicating to include writing, drawing, reading and also imagination as a way of communicating. This essay aims at outlining the process of perception of spoken and written languages and formulation of the response.

Human beings have five main sensory organs that detect and transmit the stimuli from the environment to the Central Nervous System for appropriate action to be taken. These sensory organs include the nose, skin, tongue, eye and ear that perceive smell, touch, taste, vision and sound respectively.

The main function of the ear is to perceive sound from the atmosphere and transmit it to the brain for necessary actions to be taken. The outer visible part of the ear called the auricle or pinna collects sound waves from the environment and directs it to the eardrum also known as the tympanic membrane through the ear canal (McMillan 26). The pinna and ear canal amplifies the waves to the right proportion to be felt by the eardrum. The middle ear that is comprised of the eardrum receives sound waves from the outer ear and converts these waves to vibrations in fluids at the cochlea of the inner ear.

When the tympanic membrane is hit by sound the waves it vibrates and moves the tiny bones in the middle ear known as ossicles that transmits the vibrations to the fluid of the cochlea. The cochlea is a spiral fluid filled structure and it propagates the vibrations from the fluid to the nerve impulses that direct them to the brain via the auditory nerve which is a collection of many nerve fibers that connects the ear to the brain.

The message then reaches the thalamus of the brain and relayed to the Central Auditory System which is the cortex located in the temporary lobe and is responsible for any decision making regarding the ear in relation to sound pitch and frequencies. When there is a loud sound in the environment this part of the brain directs the person to cover the ears or walk away from the noise (McDowell 67). When sound gets here it is interpreted to make sense and the individual is now able to get the message and prepares the body for answering or taking the necessary actions.

When information has been relayed to the brain from the ear the brain coordinates with the spinal cord that sends the message to the relevant part of the body. For instance, when a person hears a scream and the message is relayed to the brain it will release adrenaline that is responsible for quick reactions as the message is perceived as danger (McMillan 49). Then the brain stimulates the necessary body parts for appropriate action that may include the body turning towards the source of the scream or the muscles responsible for movement to get prepared to run away or combat the perceived enemy.

The eye is the only way through which human beings perceive light and are able to see. This is usually possible due to reflection of light rays falling on an object then reflected to the eye. Without reflection there will be no vision since the eye acts on the impulse send by reflection of light from objects (Fox 212). When a person looks at a book the light rays reflected by the books enter the eye through the cornea which is a clear front window of the eye.

The cornea then refracts the light rays through the pupil located in the iris that has muscles that relax and contract to regulate the amount of light entering the eye. This is then passed through the lens that has the ability to lengthen or shorten to allow for proper focusing on the image. The light rays are then passed through the transparent gel substance called the vitreous that brings the light to sharp focus on the retina (Fox 231).

The light rays are then processed into light impulses by the many photoreceptor sensory nerve endings spread all over the back of the retina then send to the optical fiber that is connected to the brain. The visual cortex then interprets the impulses as words, pictures or images as they appear in the book. The visual cortex of the brain is responsible for the interpretation of all visual signals coming from the eye and communicates with the spinal cord to effect the necessary actions.

After the message is communicated to the brain and interpreted the brain prepares the body to process the feedback in coordination with the spinal cord and the rest of the body. The feedback is usually affected through the association of the brain with hormones to regulate the type of feedback to be sent. For instance, if a person sees a snake immediately the message will be relayed to the brain and interpreted as danger. This immediately triggers the release of adrenaline which is a hormone responsible for quick control of movements of the limbs. The person will thus take off very fast or take a stick and hit it within split second.

The Wernicke is located in the anterior section of the cerebral hemisphere and surrounds the auditory cortex that is responsible for message and signal interpretation received from the eyes and ears (McMillan 78). People develop the ability to speak language immediately they are born and this develops as the person grows and this determines the ability to hear and understand the messages. Understanding all the parts of speech forms a great part of learning for instance, in most written languages the sound of the words used are coded and assigned specific meanings depending on communities.

Hearing these words is very important for one to learn how to read and understand them and helps individuals learn new communication skills and new languages within the shortest time possible. The time frame taken to learn and acquire new communication skills and foreign or second languages depends on the individual’s ability to keep the codes of these words and their meanings (Fox 412). People with high mental ability to keep multiple word codes are usually at an upper hand when it comes to learning new communication skills, languages and general knowledge on all issues that deal with learning.

Any damage caused to the wernicke region of the brain results to a condition called ‘Wernicke’s Aphasia’. This condition makes a person unable to comprehend language although the natural sounding of the speech will not be affected as it retains its normal rhythm and syntax (McDowell 89). A person suffering from ‘Wernicke’s Aphasia’ has a great problem in the categorization of words, this means that they can not identify or isolate specific sound characteristics and put them in ways that are understood. They may have mixed speech whereby they speak meaningful words but the order of the words is mixed up in their speech and it takes long for others to get the message they are passing across and and they can not write.

The human body is very complex and all parts play a very important role in ensuring the body functions properly. While most parts may seem to work independently they are internally connected by the Central Nervous System that synchronizes all the body activities.

Fox, Stuart. Human Physiology . New York: McGraw Hill, 2006. Print.

McDowell, Julie. Nervous System and Sense Organs (Human Body Systems). Westport: Greenwood, 2004. Print.

McMillan, Beveny. Human Body: A Visual Guide (Visual Guides) . Richmond Hill: Firefly Books, 2006. Print.

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Understanding The Difference Between Formal and Informal Language in Writing

A good writer knows when to use formal or informal language in their writing. We’ll go over the difference between the two and provide examples.

Quick Summary of Formal and Informal Language

• The main difference between formal and informal language in writing is that formal language is more rigid and less personal, whereas informal language is more easygoing and adaptive.
• Deciding on using formal or informal language depends on what you’re writing and who you’re writing it for:
• Formal language is usually reserved for professional and academic settings, while informal writing is used for more casual settings, like friendly text messages and creative writing.
• There are many differences found in formal and informal writing. One of them is that contractions shouldn’t be used in formal writing, but are acceptable in informal writing .
• Vocabulary is another major difference between formal and informal language.

Formal vs. Informal Language

Effective writing has a lot to do with not only what you write but also how you write it. The type of language you use— formal or informal —must suit your audience and setting.

If you want your message to resonate, then it wouldn’t be a good idea to use colloquialisms in formal settings. Similarly, you shouldn’t use rigid language when you’re writing about something light, playful, or funny.

But what exactly is the difference between formal and informal language in writing? That’s what we’ll be covering in this blog. We’ll also provide helpful examples so you can better recognize the difference.

Plus, we’ll show you a paraphrasing tool that’ll ensure your text is pristine, regardless of what you’re writing.

Let’s begin!

What Is The Difference Between Formal and Informal Language?

Compared to formal language, informal language is considered more casual. Informal language also evolves much more rapidly than formal language. While new words or phrases can be introduced to informal language seemingly overnight (e.g., GOAT referring to the greatest of all time) , these changes can take years in formal language (e.g., you replacing thou, thee, and thy ).

But there are also more notable differences between formal and informal language. We’ll give some examples below.

1. Contractions

It is advised to avoid contractions (shortened versions of words) in formal language, but they’re acceptable in informal language.

Unfortunately, the team could not replicate the results. (Formal)

Unfortunately, the team couldn’t replicate the results. ( Informal)

2. Colloquial Phrases/Slang

Formal language is also marked by an absence of colloquial phrases and slang (words or phrases that are common only in everyday speech), but are typically used in informal language.

Everyone was disappointed . (Formal)

Everyone was bummed . ( Informal)

3. First-Person Pronouns

Generally, first-person pronouns (like I and we ) are avoided when writing with formal language. However, it’s accepted (and expected) in informal language.

The students were asked to fill out the questionnaire. (Formal)

Informal: We asked the students to fill out the questionnaire. ( Informal)

4. Phrasal Verbs

When using formal language in your writing, it is also recommended to replace phrasal verbs (proper verbs that are followed by one or more prepositions and act as a single verb).

It was something the protestors could endure . (Formal)

It was something the protestors could put up with . ( Informal)

5. Grammar Rules

When writing for formal settings, it is recommended to follow all grammar rules, even those that are considered trivial. In informal settings, some grammar rules can be ignored. For example, in informal settings, it’s okay to use who in place of whom . However, always using who in place of whom is not recommended when writing with formal language.

Whom do I have to speak to? (Formal)

Who do I have to speak to? ( Informal)

6. Vocabulary Choice

Formal language tends to use longer, more complex vocabulary. Sometimes it is not recommended to use this type of vocabulary with informal language (depending on what you’re writing) because it can confuse or distract your audience.

They needed assistance while recovering from the outcomes of the hurricane. (Formal)

They needed help while recovering from the effects of the hurricane. ( Informal)

Whether you’re writing in a professional or academic setting or a casual and creative one, LanguageTool can provide stronger vocabulary options—all you have to do is double-click on the word. This multilingual spelling and grammar checker can also detect different types of errors, whether you choose to write in formal or informal language.

Deciding When To Use Formal and Informal Language

Remember that choosing when to use formal or informal language in your writing depends on what you’re writing and who your audience is. However, you should also be mindful of the fact that formal and informal language is a spectrum, and some types of writing can fall in between these categories. Regardless of what type of language you’re using in your writing, keep these differences in mind to guarantee the most effective writing possible.

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Definition and Examples of Language Varieties

These "lects" refer to the different ways people speak

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In  sociolinguistics , language variety—also called  lect —is a general term for any distinctive form of a language or linguistic expression. Linguists commonly use language variety (or simply variety ) as a cover term for any of the overlapping subcategories of a language, including dialect ,  register ,  jargon , and  idiolect . Each of these subcategories can look different depending on the region you're in or the cultural background of the person you're conversing with.

Background on Language Varieties

To understand the meaning of language varieties, it's important to consider how lects differ from  standard English . Even what constitutes standard English is a topic of hot debate among linguists.

Standard English is a controversial term for a form of the English language that is written and spoken by educated users. For some linguists, standard English is a synonym for  good  or  correct  English  usage . Others use the term to refer to a specific geographical dialect of English or a dialect favored by the most powerful and prestigious social group.

Varieties of language develop for a number of reasons: differences can come about for geographical reasons; people who live in different geographic areas often develop distinct dialects—variations of standard English. Those who belong to a specific group, often academic or professional, tend to adopt jargon that is known to and understood by only members of that select group. Even individuals develop idiolects, their own specific ways of speaking.

The word  dialect —which contains "lect" within the term—derives from the Greek words  dia- meaning "across, between" and  legein  "speak."   A  dialect  is a regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation ,  grammar , and/or  vocabulary . The term  dialect  is often used to characterize a way of speaking that differs from the standard variety of the language. Sarah Thomason of the  Linguistic Society of America  notes:

"All dialects start with the same system, and their partly independent histories leave different parts of the parent system intact. This gives rise to some of the most persistent myths about language, such as the claim that the people of Appalachia speak pure Elizabethan English."

Certain dialects have gained negative connotations in the U.S. as well as in other countries. Indeed, the term  dialect prejudice  refers to discrimination based on a person's dialect or way of  speaking . Dialect prejudice is a type of  linguicism —discrimination based on dialect. In their article "Applied Social Dialectology," published in " Sociolinguistics: An International Handbook of the Science of Language and Society ," Carolyn Temple and Donna Christian observe:

"...dialect prejudice is endemic in public life, widely tolerated, and institutionalized in social enterprises that affect almost everyone, such as education and the media. There is limited knowledge about and little regard for linguistic  study showing that all varieties of a language display systematicity and that the   elevated social position of standard varieties has no scientific linguistic basis."

Due to this kind of dialectic prejudice, Suzanne Romaine, in "Language in Society," notes: "Many linguists now prefer the term  variety  or  lect  to avoid the sometimes  pejorative  connotations that the term ' dialect ' has."

Register is defined as the way a speaker uses language differently in different circumstances. Think about the words you choose, your tone of voice, even your body language. You probably behave very differently chatting with a friend than you would at a formal dinner party or during a job interview. These variations in formality, also called stylistic variation , are known as registers in linguistics.

They are determined by such factors as social occasion,  context ,  purpose , and  audience . Registers are marked by a variety of specialized vocabulary and turns of phrases, colloquialisms, the use of jargon, and a difference in intonation and pace.

Registers are used in all forms of communication, including written, spoken, and signed. Depending on grammar, syntax, and tone, the register may be extremely rigid or very intimate. You don't even need to use an actual word to communicate effectively. A huff of exasperation during a debate or a grin while signing "hello" speaks volumes.

Jargon  refers to the specialized language of a professional or occupational group. Such language is often meaningless to outsiders. American poet  David Lehman  has described jargon as "the verbal sleight of hand that makes the old hat seem newly fashionable; it gives an air of novelty and specious profundity to ideas that, if stated directly, would seem superficial, stale, frivolous, or false."

George Packer describes jargon in a similar vein in a 2016 article in the New Yorker magazine:

“Professional jargon—on Wall Street, in humanities departments, in government offices—can be a fence raised to keep out the uninitiated and permit those within it to persist in the belief that what they do is too hard, too complex, to be questioned. Jargon acts not only to  euphemize  but to license, setting insiders against outsiders and giving the flimsiest notions a scientific aura.”​

Pam Fitzpatrick, a senior research director at Gartner, a Stamford, Connecticut-based research and advisory firm specializing in high tech, writing on LinkedIn, puts it more bluntly:

"Jargon is waste. Wasted breath, wasted energy. It absorbs time and space but does nothing to further our goal of persuading people to help us solve complex problems."

In other words, jargon is a faux method of creating a sort of dialect that only those on this inside group can understand. Jargon has social implications similar to dialect prejudice but in reverse: It is a way of making those who understand this particular variety of language more erudite and learned; those who are members of the group that understands the particular jargon are considered smart, while those on the outside are simply not bright enough to comprehend this kind of language.

Types of Lects

In addition to the distinctions discussed previously, different types of lects also echo the types of language varieties:

• Regional dialect: A variety spoken in a particular region.
• Sociolect: Also known as a social dialect, a variety of language (or register) used by a socioeconomic class, a profession, an age group, or any other social group.
• Ethnolect: A lect spoken by a specific ethnic group. For example, Ebonics, the vernacular spoken by some African-Americans, is a type of ethnolect, notes  e2f , a language-translation firm.
• Idiolect:  According to e2f, the language or languages spoken by each individual. For example, if you are multilingual and can speak in different registers and styles, your idiolect comprises several languages, each with multiple registers and styles.

In the end, language varieties come down to judgments, often "illogical," that are, according to Edward Finegan in "Language: Its Structure and Use":

"...imported from outside the realm of language and represent attitudes to particular varieties or to forms of expression within particular varieties."

The language varieties, or lects, that people speak often serve as the basis for judgment, and even exclusion, from certain social groups, professions, and business organizations. As you study language varieties, keep in mind that they are often based on judgments one group is making in regard to another.

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Home — Essay Samples — Science — Language — Spoken Language In Spain Castilian Spanish

Spoken Language in Spain Castilian Spanish

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Essay – examples & model answers | B2 First (FCE)

FCE Essay Examples:  Topic (Environment) 

Example exam task:.

Example Answer (Grade: 3)

Example answer:.

I think that my country has problems with pollution to the environment like all other countries. This problem is normal for Russia. We have big problems with transport because there are too much cars in our country. And because of that we have problems with atmospeer, air in my city and in all Russia is really dirty and sometimes I can’t make a sigh because it smells around me and of course around that cars on the road. I’ve heard about tradition of one country. They don’t go anywhere by car one day a month or a year, they just use bycicle or their feet. I think it could be very good if we had a tradition like that.

So, what about the rivers and the seas? Yeah, there are some really good and clean rivers and seas where you can go, but there are not many of them. Once I saw the river OB in my city, it was about two years ago but I stil remember that in some places it was not blue, it was green or purple I didn’t really understand because it had different colours.

I don’t know what should we do. Maybe we should just open our eyes and look what we did. But Russian people don’t care about the world around them many people care only about themselves an that’s all.

So, the best idea is look around and try to do something good for our planet and for us and our children.

FCE, CAE, CPE

Practice, write & improve, examiners comments & grade:.

Example Answer (Grade: 3-4)

To begin with pollution and damage to the environment is the most serious and difficult problem for countries of all over the world. Scientists of different countries predict a global ecocatastrophe if people won’t change their attitude to our planet.

First of all a huge damage to the environment brings a transport. People can’t imagine their living without cars, buses, trains, ships and planes. But it’s an open secret that one of disadvantage of these accustomed things is harmful exhaust. Needless to say that use of environment friendly engines helps us to save atmosphere from pollution.

In addition to this our rivers and seas are in not less danger situation. It’s a fact of common knowledge that numerous factories and plants pour off their waste to ponds. Obviously that cleaning manufacturing water helps to avoid extinction of ocean residents.

Apart from this I’m inclined to believe that every person can and must contribute to solving this important problem. Doing a little steps for protection our environment every day we will be able to save our Earth. And it’s a task of each of us.

Model Answer (Grade: 5)

DEVELOPMENT VS ENVIRONMENT

If we surf the web looking for pollution and environmental catastrophes, we will find out that every country in the world suffers them. This is a natural consequence of the struggle between development and environment.

If a country decided to live isolated from the rest of the world, living on what it can naturally grow and produce, it surely wouldn’t be highly polluted. But we all want exotic food and technological items from all over the world, so we have to pay the price.

Investing on electrical transport would benefit the environment a lot. Even more if this electricity came from a natural source of energy like wind, rivers and solar boards. It’s difficult to achieve this because petrol companies will fight against these actions.

We also have to take care of our rivers and seas. We all have heard about factories throwing highly toxic substances to rivers, without minimizing their poisoning effects. A really strict law should be applied to fine these factories and make them change their policy.

But what about ourselves? We also can do a lot! If, when possible, we bought larger packs of food, we would be producing less rubbish. And this is only an example!

FCE Essay Examples: Topic (Fashion) 

In today’s world, the fashion industry has a strong importance in people’s lives. The fashion industry say to the society what to wear and creates new types of clothes all the time.

Some people claim that the fashion industry has a bad effect on people’s lives, they say that the fashion industry creates clothes that the society has to wear. Furthermore, the clothes’ price is extremely high and people, who can’t afford it, should not be in the society.

In the other hand, the fashion industry guide the people to be in a good appearance, because, nowadays, the appearance of the person is more important than the person itself.

In my opinion, the fashion industry doesn’t has a bad influence on people’s lives. It’s something which was created to help people what to wear.

Example Answer (Grade: 4)

Fashion industry is very a discussed subject nowadays: they create and design new clothes everyday in order to satisfy some people needs.

There are many people who claim that the fashion industry is important and good for society. According to them, this industry design beautiful clothes and thanks to that every person can wear shirts, trousers or any acessory which is on today’s fashion.

On the other hand, the fashion industry in some people opinion, controls the market of clothes and because of that they can’t wear what they want to. In addition, the industry can increase the price of clothes, forcing people who don’t want to be “oldfashioned” to buy and pay a large amount of money to keep “beautiful”.

In my opinion, we can’t let the fashion industry decide what we must or musn’t wear. We shouldn’t judge people for its appearance,because that is not important. We must wear whatever we like, want and feel confortable with.

The society we live today is characterised by technology in constant development, fast speed processes, information travelling and getting to people at a blink of an eye and a complex web of social networking. In this context, the fashion industry is becoming increasingly important and having a more and more paramount role in our lives.

On one hand, the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires millions of people all over the world and generates millions of dollars every year. Furthermore, such profitable business is also believed to be able to spread and make known the culture of a people, encouraging and enhancing a better understanding of each other.

Nevertheless, for those who are neither impressed nor motivated by numbers and figures, the fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people, isolating those who not fit their laws and commands. It is stated that people place too much importance on appearance and the material, world, sadly true, and the fashion industry just spurs on such situation. Moreover, not only are the costs of fashion item unrealistically high, it is thought to be a money better spent on more pressing issues, such as poverty and hunger.

I do believe that the fashion industry, as it is today, has a harmful effect, because it values a minority of people in detriment to the majority. However, it has such a wide reach that, it put into a good use, it can save lives.

FCE Essay Examples: Topic (Languages) 

“There are more reasons to learn a foreign language than to pass a test”

Everything around us revolves around language(s), it is the most important thing in our lives. Society would just not function without it. They are It is our future and I would personaly love to learn as many as I possibly can.

Not everything in life is done because it is necessary. Learning a new language can be a lot of fun. Many people only do it as a hoby, or their knowledge is something that brings them pride and pleasure.

Secondly, we have people who do it simply to challenge themselves. Truly I believe that having a great outcome that stems from your hard work and dedication to learn something new is a wonderful way to challenge prove your ability to yourself and others. Then there is travelling. It is very important to be able to understand and have a conversation with someone abroad, unless you would like to get lost or worse.

To conclude, I think that learning a new language is an amazing thing no matter why you do it. It is always better to do things out of enjoyment, but even if you do it for a test, that knowledge will always be useful.

Learning a a foreign languages is very important nowadays. English, in particular, is essential because it allows is spoken all over the world. That’s the reason why we start studying it from the age of six years old. Going abroad and being able to speak to native people is very satisfying and that’s why I want to improve my knowledge about foreign languages.

I decided to take this exam to know how high my level of English is, but also because I need this certification to go abroad next summer. I really want to come back to Cornwall, an amazing region in the South-West of England. I’ve been there twice with my family, but now I want to go alone. Only being there to England I can really improve my English comprehension and speaking skills.

Fortunately I can will have some English lessons which taught in English at university and I can’t wait for it because it will be an interesting challenge for me. Studying foreign languages is essential to live and to travel. It isn’t simple and I surely have to challenge myself everyday, but the result is so satisfying that we I can’t do without it.

FCE Essay Example: Topic (History) 

A very common topic that is being discussed nowadays is wether schools should teach subjects that some may consider useless later in life. A clear example is history, since it is quite difficult to learn and does not help us in day-to-day activities.

However, many people do not realize the importance of it or that it affects our lives today. For example, our political system would not be this way if it weren’t for the Ancient Greeks, numerous politicians and wars who helped shape democracy and our constitution. Yet it is still thought that it’s useless.

In addition, it is very important that we never forget about our past since we must know where we were standing years ago. Moreover, there are some things, such as World War II, that we have to remember to prevent them from happening again. We should also know where we we were standing a century ago: our origins, our identity. The more you learn about your ethnicity, the better.

All in all, I think that it is extremely important to learn about one’s own country’s history. Anyone who gets the chance to do this should not waste it, since they are very fortunate to have this opportunity

What is your level of English?