In this lesson, you will master the art of expressing your opinions clearly and convincingly about educational topics, as well as comparing different education systems and discussing their advantages and disadvantages.
You’ll gain access to powerful opinion phrases, linking structures, comparison language, and real IELTS model answers—so you can stand out in IELTS Speaking Part 3.
Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test often asks you to analyze, compare, justify, and evaluate issues connected to education.
Examiners are looking for your ability to:
Present and support your personal opinion
Make balanced comparisons
Weigh up pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages)
Show flexibility in language
Use cohesive devices to organize your ideas
Building these skills can make the difference between a Band 5 and a Band 6 score.
Use these phrases to introduce your own views in a sophisticated way:
“In my opinion, …”
“Personally, I believe that …”
“From my point of view, …”
“As far as I’m concerned, …”
“I would argue that …”
“It seems to me that …”
“I tend to think that …”
“I am of the opinion that …”
Example:
“Personally, I believe that education should focus on developing practical skills as well as academic knowledge.”
To support your views, use these useful expressions:
“The main reason is that …”
“This is because …”
“One of the key reasons why … is that …”
“This can be explained by the fact that …”
“Another important factor is …”
“This is mainly due to …”
Example:
“I would argue that online learning is effective for most students. The main reason is that it allows greater flexibility for learners.”
To show how strongly you feel, use:
“I firmly believe that …”
“I’m absolutely convinced that …”
“I’m not sure, but I think …”
“I’m not entirely convinced that …”
“To some extent, I agree that …”
Example:
“To some extent, I agree that exams are important, but I also think continuous assessment has many advantages.”
IELTS often asks you to discuss both sides. Use these phrases:
“One advantage of … is that …”
“A major disadvantage is that …”
“On the plus side, …”
“On the downside, …”
“The main drawback is that …”
“However, there are also some disadvantages, such as …”
Example:
“One advantage of private schools is that they often have better resources. On the downside, they can be very expensive.”
To compare two or more things, use:
“Compared to …, …”
“… is more/less … than …”
“… is as … as …”
“While …, …”
“Whereas …, …”
“Both … and …”
“In contrast, …”
“However, …”
“On the other hand, …”
Example:
“Compared to state schools, private schools usually have smaller class sizes.”
“Similarly, …”
“Likewise, …”
“In the same way, …”
“Unlike …, …”
“In contrast to …, …”
“On the contrary, …”
Example:
“Unlike traditional learning, online education offers more flexibility.”
State school: a school funded by the government
Private school: a school funded by private money, often with higher fees
Boarding school: a school where students live as well as study
Single-sex school: a school for only boys or only girls
Co-educational (co-ed) school: a school for both boys and girls
Traditional education: based on lectures and textbooks
Progressive education: student-centered, often includes group work and projects
Distance learning: learning via the internet or post, away from the classroom
Blended learning: a combination of classroom and online learning
Academic pressure
Discipline
Access to resources
Equal opportunities
Quality of education
Student-teacher ratio
Parental involvement
Standardized testing
Critical thinking skills
Lifelong learning
Model Answer:
“In my opinion, co-educational schools provide a better environment for social development because boys and girls learn to communicate and collaborate from a young age. One advantage is that students get used to interacting with the opposite sex, which prepares them for real-world situations. However, some people believe that single-sex schools allow students to focus more on their studies, without the distraction of the opposite gender. While there are benefits to both systems, I tend to think that mixed schools offer more advantages overall.”
Model Answer:
“Distance learning has become increasingly popular, especially since the pandemic. One major advantage is flexibility; students can study at their own pace and schedule. Another benefit is that people from remote areas can access quality education. However, the main drawback is the lack of face-to-face interaction, which can affect motivation and communication skills. In comparison to traditional classroom learning, distance learning can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation. Nevertheless, with the right support, it can be just as effective.”
Model Answer:
“Compared to some Western countries, the education system in my country is more exam-oriented. While students achieve high academic standards, there is less focus on developing critical thinking and creativity. On the other hand, countries like Finland place greater emphasis on student well-being and practical skills. I believe that a balance between exams and skill development is essential for a modern education system.”
A simple structure to follow:
State your opinion/point
Give a reason or example
Present an alternative viewpoint (optional)
Make a comparison if asked
Conclude your answer
Sample Answer Structure:
“In my opinion, [your point]. This is because [reason/example]. However, some people think [alternative view], but I believe [your justification].”
“Traditional education is often seen as more disciplined, whereas progressive education encourages creativity and teamwork.”
“While online courses offer flexibility, classroom-based learning is more interactive.”
“One advantage of learning a second language at school is that it improves job prospects. On the other hand, it may put extra pressure on students.”
“For example, in Japan, students have a longer school day compared to many Western countries, which is believed to contribute to their high academic performance.”
Efficient / Inefficient
Effective / Ineffective
Affordable / Expensive
Accessible / Inaccessible
Flexible / Rigid
Motivating / Demotivating
Supportive / Isolating
Examples:
“Online learning is very flexible but sometimes isolating.”
“State education is generally more affordable, while private education may be expensive but offers better resources.”
Firstly, Secondly, Finally
Furthermore / Moreover / In addition
However / Nevertheless / Nonetheless
For instance / For example
In contrast / On the contrary
As a result / Therefore / Thus
Overall / On the whole
Example in IELTS:
“Firstly, access to technology has improved learning. However, not all students have the same resources at home. As a result, there is a gap in educational equality.”
Mistake: “I very agree with this.”
Correction: “I strongly agree with this.”
Mistake: “In my opinion is …”
Correction: “In my opinion, …”
Mistake: “This is more better than …”
Correction: “This is better than …”
Mistake: “Compare to …”
Correction: “Compared to …”
Task 1: Give your opinion and compare.
Question: “Do you think academic achievement is more important than creativity at school?”
Step-by-step answer:
State your opinion:
“Personally, I believe academic achievement is important, but creativity should not be ignored.”
Give your reason:
“This is because academic success can open doors to good universities and jobs, but creativity helps students solve problems and adapt to new situations.”
Present another viewpoint:
“On the other hand, some people think schools should focus only on academic results.”
Make a comparison:
“Compared to creativity, academic achievement is easier to measure. However, both are necessary for a well-rounded education.”
Conclude:
“Overall, I think a balance between the two is best.”
Expressing Preferences:
“I prefer … because …”
“I would rather … than …”
“If I had to choose, I’d go for …”
Expressing Similarity:
“Both … and … are …”
“In the same way, …”
“Likewise, …”
Expressing Difference:
“There is a big difference between … and …”
“Unlike …, …”
“In contrast to …, …”
Prompt 1:
“Is it better for students to study in large classes or small classes?”
Answer Example:
“In my opinion, small classes are better because teachers can pay more attention to each student. Compared to large classes, students in small groups usually participate more actively. However, I realize that in some countries, large classes are necessary due to limited resources.”
Prompt 2:
“Should schools focus on academic subjects or practical life skills?”
Answer Example:
“I would argue that both are equally important. Academic subjects provide essential knowledge, while practical life skills prepare students for real-world challenges. In contrast, some people believe that schools should prioritize traditional academic subjects. Nevertheless, a balanced curriculum benefits everyone.”
Prompt 3:
“What are the differences between private and state education?”
Answer Example:
“Private education often has smaller class sizes and more resources, which can lead to better academic achievement. In contrast, state education is more affordable and accessible to a larger number of students. Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses.”
“While …, …”
“Although …, …”
“Despite …, …”
“On one hand …, on the other hand …”
“Even though …, …”
Example:
“Although online learning is convenient, it lacks the personal connection found in classroom settings.”
Sometimes, it is good to sound less absolute. Use:
“To some extent, …”
“It depends on …”
“In certain cases, …”
“For some people, … while for others, …”
Example:
“To some extent, exams are necessary to measure academic achievement, but they can also create a lot of stress for students.”
express an opinion
make a comparison
weigh the advantages and disadvantages
justify a viewpoint
academic standards
co-educational environment
traditional/classroom-based learning
distance/online learning
lifelong learning
equal opportunities
develop critical thinking
flexible curriculum
student-centered approach
standardized testing
exam-oriented system
creativity vs. academic achievement
resource allocation
teaching methodology
inclusive education
support diversity
Use opinion phrases and justify your answers with reasons.
Present balanced comparisons, using a variety of structures.
Address both advantages and disadvantages.
Avoid common mistakes in grammar and word choice.
Use linking words and discourse markers to organize your ideas.
Personalize your answers with real or hypothetical examples.
Practice speaking with these patterns until they feel natural.
Choose any question below and record yourself answering. Try to use at least five phrases or collocations from this lesson:
“Should higher education be free for everyone?”
“How do traditional and modern teaching methods differ in your country?”
“What are the pros and cons of homework?”
After recording, listen and identify:
Did you clearly state and support your opinion?
Did you use comparison language?
Did you organize your answer logically?
The ability to express opinions and make comparisons confidently is a vital skill for IELTS Speaking Part 3. Master these patterns and vocabulary, and you’ll be ready for whatever the examiner asks you about education!