Should schools make learning a foreign language compulsory?

How to answer: structure and key points

Essay outline

1. Introduction: restate the question in your own words and give your position.
2. Body paragraph 1: your main reason, with an example.
3. Body paragraph 2: a second reason, or the other side and why it is weaker.
4. Conclusion: restate your position in one or two sentences.
5. Stay on the topic: a response that misses the topic scores zero on every trait.

An outline for this prompt

• The question: Should language lessons be mandatory at school?
• Position: Language study should be broadly available, with a realistic school commitment.
• Paragraph 1: A common introductory course gives pupils a chance to encounter another language.
• Paragraph 2: Curriculum time and teaching resources constrain how extensive the requirement can be.
• Conclusion: Support the aim while explaining a feasible level of obligation.

These are key points and a structure written by RealPTE, not a script to memorise: say or write it in your own words.

RealPTE numbers

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From RealPTE practice records and students’ “I sat this” reports, counted weekly (last count 2026-10-31). Reports are what students tell us; predictions are not guaranteed.

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