Nov 21 IELTS Speaking

I feel that children should learn mental math skills because this can help them in real-life situations, such as shopping or any daily tasks that require calculations. Being able to perform quick calculations also builds their logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Besides, learning basic survival/səˈvaɪv(ə)l/ skills is crucial. Although rarely needed, knowing how to react in emergencies/i'mə:dʒənsiz/, like finding shelter/ˈʃeltə(r)/ or basic first aid, can be life-saving in dangerous/ˈdeɪndʒərəs/ situations. Such skills build resilience/rɪˈzɪliəns/ and prepare children for unforeseen/ˌʌnfɔːˈsiːn/ events.

I think the main difference is that adults tend to learn subjects /ˈsʌbdʒɪkts/that require more logical thinking and reasoning/ˈriːzənɪŋ/, such as complex problem-solving, decision-making/dɪˈsɪʒ(ə)n/, or advanced technical skills. This is because they already possess/pəˈzes/ a mature/məˈtʃʊə(r)/ cognitive/ˈkɒɡnətɪv/ structure to handle such tasks. In contrast/ˈkɒntrɑːst/, children focus on more straightforward and concrete/ˈkɒŋkriːt/ learning, as they lack the foundational logical and critical thinking abilities. You know, their learning often involves basic concepts and skills, which are easier to understand and essential for their cognitive development.

I suppose one major reason is that some people tend to be shy and are reluctant/rɪˈlʌktənt/ to ask questions because they fear/fɪə(r)/ their inquiries might seem too basic, leading to potential embarrassment/ɪmˈbærəsmənt/. They worry about being judged/dʒʌdʒd/ or ridiculed/ˈrɪdɪkjuːl/. Also, some believe that encountering difficulties is a natural/ˈnætʃ(ə)rəl/ part of the learning process /ˈprəʊses/and prefer to spend more time figuring/'figəriŋ/ things out independently rather than seeking help from others. You know, they may view self-reliance/rɪˈlaɪəns/ as a sign of determination/dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n/ and perseverance/ˌpɜːsəˈvɪərəns/.

I think one of the most practical skills children should learn before going to school is communication skills. If they master this skill early on, it will be very beneficial for them. They can make many good friends, and this can help them build a strong support network. You know, with good communication skills, they can express their thoughts more effectively and also understand others better, which will make their daily interactions smoother/ˈsmuːðə(r)/ and help them succeed academically/ˌækəˈdemɪkli/ and socially.