Experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primeray schools rather that secondary school the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
The diagrams below show the changes that have taken place at West Park Secondary Schools since its construction in 1950.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.
Topic 8. Some say that the standard of behaviour among children has worsened and that this is their parents' fault; others say that schools are to blame. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
In many cities, planners tend to arrange shops, schools, offices and houses in specific areas and separate them from each other. Do you think the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages?
Some people think that schools should reward students with the best academic results, while others believe it is more important to reward students who show improvements. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
With the increase in computer use, many people feel that schools do not need to put the emphasis that they used to on basic handwriting skills or mathematics skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
More and more parents are deciding to educate their children at home rather than sending them to schools.
What are the causes of this phenomenon?
Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
Some people find it difficult to present a speech/presentation in the public. Therefore it is suggested that public speaking should be taught in schools.
Do you think it is important to know how to speak well?
Do you agree or disagree with the view?
Some people believe that subjects such as art, music, drama and creative writing have a bright future. Therefore, schools should spend more time teaching these subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
These days, in many countries, fewer and fewer people want to become teachers, particularly in secondary schools.
What are the reasons for this?
How could more people be encouraged to come into the teaching profession?
It is the responsibility of schools to teach children good behaviour in addition to providing formal education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Schools should stop using books to teach and use films, TV, and computers in the classroom instead.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some schools are very strict about their school uniforms and the appearance of their pupils,while other schools have a very relaxed dress code. What are the advantages and disadvantages of children of having a school uniform?
Schools should teach children the academic subjects which have a close relationship with their future careers, so other subjects like music, arts and sports are not important. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In developing countries, children in rural communities have less access to education. Some people believe that the problem can be solved by providing more schools and teachers, while other think that the problem can be solved by providing computers and internet access. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Students at schools and universities learn far more by lessons with their teachers compared to other sources (e.g. television, the Internet). Do you agree or disagree?
Some people say that the extensive use of computers in schools will replace the role of teachers.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The role of education is to prepare children for the modern world. Schools should cut arts and music out of that curriculum so that children can focus on the useful subjects such as information technology.
To what extent do you agree?
Some people think that it is better to educate boys and girls in separate school. Others, however,
believe that boys and girls benefit more from attending mixed schools. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Nowadays schools should not use textbooks because children get bored with books. Using games, computers and TV is a better way to give them new information and knowledge. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some schools put the most advanced students in separate classes from their peers so they can study more challenging materials. Do the advantages of this practice outweigh the disadvantages?
All parents wants the best opportunities for their children. There are some who think that schools should teach children skills but others think having a range of subjects is better for a children's future.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
Some people think that it is better to educate girls and boys in separate schools. Others, however, believe that boys and girls benefit more from attending mixed schools.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
In some countries, secondary schools provide students with an opportunity to learn skills such as cooking, basic repairs, drawing and woodwork. What are the advantages and disadvantages of teaching such non-academic classes in school?
All pare ts want the best opportunity for their children. There are some people who think that schools should teach children skills but others think having a range of subjects is better for a children's future. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Some people think that schools should stop teaching students by using books, because students find them boring and that children can learn from films, TV, video games and computers instead.
To what extent do you agree?
Some people think that the main purpose of schools is to teach children to be a good citizen or worker rather than to benefit them as individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Childhood obesity is increasing in Australia. As many as two third of children are now obese.
Schools have a responsibility to monitor what their students eat and the amount of exercise they do.
To what extend do you agree with this statement?
It is the responsibility of schools to teach children good behavior in addition to providing formal education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree
Topic: Schools are no longer necessary because children can get so much information available through the Internet, and they can study just as well at home.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
“Many children these days have an unhealthy lifestyle. Both schools and parents are equally responsible for solving this problem”
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement.
Some high schools require all students to wear school uniforms. Other high schools permit students to decide what to wear to school. Which of these two school policies do you think is better?
Some people feel that schools should be mixed with both girls and boys attending while others feel the gender ought to be separated. Discuss both views and give your own opinion
Some people believe that schools should only teach children’s subjects which are beneficial to their future career and therefore other subjects such as music and sports are not important. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Some people think it’s better to educate boys and girls in separate schools. However, others believe that boys and girls benefit more from attending the same school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Some people say that time and money spent on music classes in schools aren’t necessary; instead, children should be learning a useful subject such as science and computer. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your own opinion and include relevant examples
Some people think that schools should stop teaching students by using books, because students find them boring and that children can learn from films, TV, video games and computer instead. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Most schools in Vietnam, nowadays, put more weight on ”teach to the test” lessons rather than experiential lessons so that students can easily enter their dreaming universities with flying colors. Do you think it is a good trend
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
A good friend has just changed schools and is having difficulty fitting in and needs your advice.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
• make suggestions as to how they could make friends
• suggest joining clubs, participating in school activities
• give any extra general advice
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear...,
You should write at least 150 words.
Art classes, such as painting and drawing are as important to a child's development as other subjects so it should bes compulsory in high schools. To what extend do you agree or disagree?
Some people think that the main purpose of schools is to turn children into good citizens and workers, rather to benefit them as individual. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Some think schools should reward students who have the best academic results, while others think it’s more important to reward students who achieve other types of success (such as sports, music, and good behaviour).
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Nowadays computer education is compulsory for your learners in most schools. Do you think this is necessary or will children acquire these skills naturally from their daily interaction with technology everywhere? Provide your opinion and use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Some believe that more academic subjects such as chemistry, physics and history should be taught in schools, while others believe that students will derive more benefit from studying practical subjects, such as motor mechanics and cooking. Discuss both views and provide your own opinion with relevant examples.
The given table illustrates the proportions of attendance in secondary schools in India. These values are given from 2000 to 2015 with a gap of 5 years.
Art classes, such as painting and drawing, are as important to a child's development as other subjects, so it should be compulsory in high schools. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
All parent want the best opportunities for their children. There are some people who think that schools should teach children skills but others think having a range of subjects is better for a child’s future.
Discuss both the sides and give your opinion
Some people feel that boarding schools whoare an excellent option for children while other people disagree for a number of reasons.
Consider both sides and give your opinion.
Some people say the money spent by governments on space programmes would be appropriate. Others believe that it is better spent on vital public services such as schools and hospitals.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Most career choices demand vocational skills or specialist knowledge. However, despite this, most schools still teach academic subjects such as history or social studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this?