ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 16/07/2023
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 17/07/2023
Question: Some people say that schools are no longer necessary because children can get so much information through the Internet, and they can study just as well at home.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
(IELTS Academic – 15/07/2023)
ANSWER (8.0+):
It is sometimes argued that online learning will eventually eradicate the existence of schools as children can study well using the Internet. I largely disagree with this idea given the fact that only physical classes can provide qualified educators as well as effectively foster their social skills even though the internet can be a rich source of knowledge.
The foremost rationale for my disagreement to the eradication of schools is the importance of educational professionals. These specialized employees at schools are those who cannot only help children build up a solid knowledge base but also fill them with a sense of curiosity thanks to years of academic training and experience in teaching. By contrast, parents are generally short of both experience and expertise to deliver appropriate guidance even if they are given instructions from the internet.
Another argument for why I support schools is that these educational institutions provide an ideal environment for children’s interpersonal skills to establish and flourish. It is because young students are given the opportunities to interact with their peers, teachers as well as school staff in diverse projects or situations, which nurture their communication, teamwork, or problem-solving capability. However, these valuable opportunities are not available if they solely study in front of a computer or tablet monitor.
Nevertheless, I concede that the internet is currently an abundant source of learning materials. The educational content in various forms encompassing teaching videos, interactive textbooks or visually-appealing infographics can make the pursuit of knowledge of young learners more intriguing. In comparison, traditional classroom learning typically involves reading from tedious printed textbooks and one-way dialogues from teachers to students.
In conclusion, I am mostly against the possibility of schools being replaced by homeschooling online as they possess well-trained and experienced teachers as well as continue to be the place where children can learn important soft skills. However, I also acknowledge that learning from the internet with more diverse materials is potentially an interesting experience. That is why governments should provide financial assistance for schools to incorporate modern teaching methods, including both online and offline learning to ensure the highest standard of children’s education.
(Word count: 354)
WORD LIST
ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
Eradicate the existence | Xóa bỏ sự tồn tại |
Qualified educators | Giáo viên có trình độ |
Educational professionals | Các chuyên gia giáo dục |
Fill them with a sense of curiosity | Khiến họ có cảm giác tò mò |
Interpersonal skills | Kỹ năng giao tiếp |
Problem-solving capability | Khả năng giải quyết vấn đề |
Tablet monitor | Màn hình máy tính bảng |
Visually-appealing infographics | Đồ họa thông tin trực quan hấp dẫn |
The pursuit of knowledge | Tích lũy kiến thức |
Traditional classroom learning | Lớp học truyền thống |
Homeschooling online | Học tại nhà trực tuyến |