Benefits of Education
- Education gives people knowledge and skills
- People with qualification are more likely to find work
- They can earn a higher salary
- They can contribute positively to society
- Schools aim to teach young people moral values such as tolerance and sharing
- Schools prepare children to be members of a society
Benefits of Studying Abroad
- Foreign institutions may offer better courses
- Many students want to attend a prestigious university
- The best universities employ teachers who are experts in their fields
- Qualifications gained abroad can open the door to better job opportunities
- Living abroad can broaden students’ horizons
- Overseas students are exposed to different cultures and
- They become more independent
- They are responsible for cooking, cleaning and paying bills
- They will learn a foreign language
Drawback of Studying Abroad
- Living and studying abroad can be difficult
- Students have problems with paperwork such as visa applications
- The language barrier can be a problem
- Students have to find accommodation and pay bills
- Studying in a foreign language is challenging
- Living alone in an unfamiliar culture can cause homesickness
Technology in Education: Advantages
- Technology is a powerful tool to engage students
- Technology can make lessons much more interesting
- Students can do research using online resources
- Students can study at their own place
- Adults can take distance learning courses
- Students can study whenever and wherever they want
- Students also learn skills which are useful for their future jobs
- For example, they learn to write reports using a word processor
Technology in Education: Disadvantages
- People rely too much on computers
- Young learners do not become proficient in some basic skills
- They use word processors and spelling may suffer
- People should be able to write a letter by hand
- Technology is no substitute for a real teacher
- Learners need a structured course
- An experienced teacher knows what materials to choose
- Computers are expensive to maintain and can be unreliable
Technology in Education: Opinion
- Institutions should supplement traditional teaching with the use of technology
- Technology is part of everyday life
- It can enhance a teacher’s lessons
- Students can use online resources to help with homework
- Students must still learn to write by hand
- They should still use traditional sources of information such as books
Education in Developing Countries: Problems
- Children often have to work from an early age
- There are no schools in many areas
- Families do not have access to books or computers
- Literacy rates are often low
- People in developing countries need knowledge and skills
- Education is the key to improving the economy of these countries
Education in Developing Countries: Solutions
- Developed countries could help developing nations by providing money
- They could invest in schools and technology
- They could supply the funds to build schools and pay for teachers
- Children need to have access to free schooling
- Computer equipment could be donated
- The Internet can expose students to a world of knowledge and information
- Governments should make education compulsory for all children
- They should encourage parents to send their children to school
- Governments of developed and developing countries must work together
Higher Education: Advantages (also see ‘Benefits of Education’)
- There are many benefits to going to university
- A degree can open the door to better employment prospects
- Economies are becoming increasingly knowledge-based
- Most jobs require specific knowledge and skills
- Skilled workers are needed for sectors such as information technology and engineering
- Repetitive manual jobs are now done by machine
- Many factories have moved to developing countries
Higher Education: Disadvantages
- A healthy economy needs a wide range of workers
- Some manual workers will always be needed
- A university degree is not necessary for many service professions
- Practical training is more important in some industries
- In the UK, for example, there is currently a shortage of plumbers
- Their services are therefore becoming more and more expensive
Advantage of Home-schooling
- Some parents decide to educate their children at home
- Some families live in isolated areas with poor transport
- Other parents are not satisfied with local schools
- Parents can respond to what their children need and how they learn best
- One-to-one lessons allow much faster progress
- The child can work at his or her own pace
- Discipline problems are avoided by home-schooling
Disadvantages of home-schooling
- Most parents do not have the time to educate their children at home
- One parent would need to give up work
- School subjects are normally taught by up to ten different teachers
- Most parents do not have the necessary knowledge or resources
- Private tutors are expensive
- Children will miss out on the social experience that school offers
- At school, children learn how to get on with each other
- Home-schooled children may lack social skills
- Schools offer a better overall educational experience
Bad Behavior in Schools: Causes
- Bad behavior is due to a lack of structure and discipline
- There are too many children in some classes
- Large classes are difficult to manage
- May disruptive students come from an unstable family background
- Other parents are too lenient and spoil their children
- Some children are used to getting whatever they want
- Schools can do very little if they are not supported by parents
Bad Behavior in Schools: Solutions
- Schools need a clear code of conduct
- Schools need a clear set of rules about behavior
- They need to create a positive working atmosphere
- Teachers must have the power to punish disruptive students
- Schools should remove difficult children from lessons
- Schools need to work closely with parents
- Discipline could be lacking at home
- Parents must support the school rules
- They should take responsibility for their children’s behavior
Corporal Punishment: Opinion
- Corporal Punishment is not a good idea
- Physical punishment is a way of controlling children using fear
- This does not promote trust between adults and children
- Children who are punished physically may become shy or resentful
- Corporal punishment creates an atmosphere of fear and anger
Single Sex Education: Advantages
- Some people believe that male and female students should go to separate schools
- This is often for religious or cultural reasons
- Discipline problems might be avoided by separating boys and girls
- Boys and girls may learn in different ways and have different needs
- Student at single-sex schools often get better exam
Single-sex Education: Disadvantages
- Separating boys and girls is unnecessary
- It is unhealthy in terms of children’s social development
- Many coeducational schools are extremely successful
- A mixed-sex environment is more representative of real life
- Coeducational schools provide children with better social skills for adult life
Advantages of Streaming (Grouping Children According to Ability)
- Some schools separate students according to their academic ability
- Teachers can work at the right speed for their students
- Teachers can plan more suitable lessons
- High-level groups may progress faster
- Lower level groups can benefits from a slower pace
- Some teachers and parents support streaming for these reasons
Disadvantages of Streaming
- Grouping by ability may have a negative impact on students
- Children do not want to be seen as less intelligent than others
- Streaming could damage students’ self esteem
- They may lose motivation
- Students from wealthier families tend to be better prepared
- Children from poorer families may receive less support from parents
- Mixed ability classes encourage everyone to achieve their
