49. In pairs discuss the following questions. Use the Essential Strategy Language.

WRITING. The essay suggesting solutions to the educational problems.

50. Study the essay format. In pairs discuss how you can organize this type of essay.

Problem

Effect

1)

The basic problem of British education lies in the fact that there is no common, but a dual system of education. The root of the educational problem in England is the social importance of the private schools, constituting only 6% of all schools. More and more middle-class parents doubt the efficiency of the comprehensive schools and try all costs to enroll their children in one of the public schools.

a)

It will negatively affect the learning environment. Disruptions interrupt lessons for all students, and disruptive students lose even more learning time. Teachers can’t teach effectively and pupils can’t learn if schools can’t keep order. It disrupts class work. Teachers suffer stress, loose confidence at work being physically hurt by a student. Nearly 1,000 children are suspended from school for abuse and assault every school day. Persistent disruptive behaviour accounts for nearly a third of all cases of permanent exclusions in secondary schools.

2)

Low academic performance.

Children spend at school fifteen years, from age 3 to age 18. And still they leave it with appalling, shameful shortcomings. Grades awarded in school level exams are no indicator of literacy, numeracy or general ability to think.

b)

Many children loose their sparkling imagination, fertile minds, and a willingness to take risks with what they think. Most students never get to explore the full range of their abilities and interests. Instead of developing a student’s natural abilities enabling him to make his way in the world, the individual talents and abilities of too many students are killed as well as their motivation to learn.

3)

Students do too many test and exams. A-level leaves many students with poor general knowledge and unable to think for themselves. Exams have been dumbed down.

c)

It sustains inequality. Educational privilege, social prestige may help the public leavers to achieve high positions in all fields of life. The “old school tie”, especially that of a Public School, guarantees professional success. Therefore the existence of a separate system of education for the wealthy is an important factor in preserving and perpetuating class distinction in Britain.

4)

British approach to education, which is mostly prescriptive, is stifling the creativity of teachers and their pupils – the most important capacity that young people now need to make their way in the increasingly demanding world of the 21st century – the power of creative thinking.

d)

English secondary pupils slide down rankings of attainment in science. Far too many students have such a weak grasp of spelling and punctuation that they cannot write up their work accurately. Many companies, for example, Tesco, have difficulty in recruiting young workers of the right calibre. International ranking now puts Britain’s education, once the envy of the world, sixth after Finland, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

5)

Discipline is the area where state education has got worse. Bullying is a problem present in current primary and secondary schools, normally affecting children from four to sixteen years old. The bully uses disrespectful remarks and threatening words which intend to harm the victim or affects physically the target by resorting to violent acts such as hitting, punching or pulling without having a necessary reason to do so.

e)

The scandalous and racist neglect that has left not British children at the bottom of the table for academic achievement.

6)

Truancy rate rises. Children miss school without a decent excuse.

f)

Poor transitions from one Key stage to the next create disruptions which damage the educational experience of pupils. Pupils fall back when they change schools. Elevating some disciplines over others only reinforces outmoded assumptions of industrialism and offends the principle of diversity.

7)

Massive rise in disruptive behaviour. Teachers deal with a challenging or disruptive students during the school year, with verbally or physically aggressive students. Students are disrespectful and ignore the teacher’s instructions. Teachers complain that students talk in class, do not pay attention and mess around. Teachers are threatened with physical abuse, called disgusting names, sworn at, argued with, shouted at, had books thrown at, and had things stolen and broken.

g)

Tests have become more than simply a tool of education and have turned into the focus of it. Many maths and science undergraduates need “remedial” classes because they have been woefully underprepared by their lessons and exams in school. Employers are complaining that graduates cannot spell.

8)

The curriculum is too “bloated”.

h)

They do poorly academically. Poor attendance at school can have a hugely damaging effect on a child’s education. Children who attend school regularly are four times more likely to achieve five or more good GCSEs, including English and maths, than those who are persistently absent.

9)

New problems for the British education system arose through the existence of ethnic groups concentrated in special areas.

i)

The school faces a crisis. Discipline has collapsed. Children are physiologically affected, creating in most cases traumas leading to social issues such phobias to develop relationships with other classmates due to a low self-esteem.

Possible suggestions

Expected results

1)

The restoration of discipline encouraging responsible behaviour and discouraging misconduct.

a)

If pupils know WHY they’re learning a particular fact or skill, then it’ll make learning it more interesting and

they’ll be better able to adapt those skills to the world of work once they leave school.

2)

The restoration of traditional teaching methods of old-fashioned literacy skills (as opposed to clearly failed “modern” teaching methods) as well as old-fashioned mathematics skills which have practical application to everyday life.

b)

It will make sure that the ability to pass A-Levels translates directly into ability to perform well at Oxford University.

3)

The schools have been encouraged to take into account the ethnic and cultural background of their pupils.

c)

Bullying, racial and sexual harassment might be put an end to.

4)

In order to make certain that exams “mean something” all A-Level exams will include at least one question drawn from the Oxford University prelims exam for their subject.

d)

The system won’t be blamed for the stagnation in maths and the decline in science.

5)

It’s necessary to make a point of improving pupils’ awareness of the relevance of what they’re learning.

e)

It could create an environment conducive to learning.

A useful suggestion would be …

This would help you to …

Another solution is to …

The effect of this would be …

The problem could be solved by …

As a result, you would …

The most effective way to get to the root of the problem is …

You would be able to …

The easiest / only way to get to the bottom of this dilemma

The final suggestion to confront the problem would be …