‘Although this development has brought real benefits, some are concerned about its impact on learning.‘.

Meaning 1: advantage

TOP TIP:

Whenever you talk about the benefits or drawbacks (advantages/disadvantages), try to add an adjective. It makes you sound more authoritative, and makes your language more precise.

Adjectives:

• considerable, enormous, great, major, real, substantial e.g. This [policy] could bring real benefits for [teachers].
• additional e.g. This [system] has many additional benefits.
• mutual e.g.The different [environmental ]groups could work together to their mutual benefit.
• potential 
• long-term, short-term
• economic, environmental, financial, health, social 

Expressions

• This option would be to everyone’s benefit.
• This option would be of benefit to everyone.
• People managed to survive without the benefit of modern technology.

‘Benefit’ as a verb

• These [laws] will clearly benefit those earning the most money.

Meaning 2: money (from the government)

e.g. ‘One way to cut spending is to reduce/restrict unemployment and welfare benefits.‘