In the minds of ESL exam candidates, e ssay writing is one of the most daunting tasks they are required to complete, regardless of the level of the exam, the administering body or the ease with which they themselves use the language. The same applies to students who are asked to write an essay by their teachers at school. In the previous sample essays posted on the blog, the main point I stress is the need to become acquainted with this form of writing (as opposed to writing a letter, review or report, for instance), to get a feel of what authorial voice is and how to organize and progressively express the arguments you wish to make in a coherent manner. Unfortunately, the best way to prepare for exam writing or learn how to write good essays for school is to read as many essays from as many sources as possible, then write as
If you are not taking an exam but need ideas on the topic of attending an immersion school, then read on and note down what you deem useful. Don't forget: paraphrase to avoid plagiarism!
The following topic was taken from a Michigan State University English Language Examinations publication (Go For MSU - CELP (C2), Super Course System). As you will notice, the topic is similar to what candidates would expect in any other C2 level examination in that examiners want to see a well-organized, coherent and cohesive discussion of the issue with arguments, explanations and examples.
MSU –CELP Writing Sample
Essay
In some countries, a
number of parents enroll their children in immersion schools, where all of
their classes are conducted in another language. It is believed that in this
way, they will learn this other language fluently. Other parents, however,
object to immersion schools, as they find it too demanding for their children
not to study in their mother tongue. What is your opinion of students attending
a school where a foreign language is spoken exclusively? Be sure to support
your opinion with examples, reasons and explanations.
Doing what is best for one’s
child is a priority when it comes to education and parenting. In the search for
the perfect educational institution which will enable graduates to find a
promising position and start off their careers, parents often decide to
register their children in a school where all classes are taught in a foreign
language. Although many see this as taxing on students, my view is that in the
long run the rewards outweigh the challenges.
The fact of the
matter is that in today’s world, those who know a language other than their
mother tongue enjoy a greater amount of freedom in finding a job. This
versatility is the result of being able to work not only for firms within their
native country, but outside it as well. If, for example, a child from Italy graduates
from a German immersion school, they will be able to work for a local company
that exports goods to Germany or if no work is found in Italy, that graduate
could apply for a job in Germany, as communicating in German will not be an
obstacle.
Likewise,
continuing into tertiary education in the country whose language a student has
learnt in an immersion school will also be an option. Many parents nowadays
worry about the quality and standard of education offered at universities in
their country. Greek parents, for instance, know that frequent student or staff
strikes disrupt an academic year, so enrolling their child in an international
school where English is the primary language used guarantees their child higher
chances of being admitted into a college or university in the UK or the
United States. Consequently, a more prestigious degree from either of these
countries opens many more career paths.
In contrast to
this, the argument that students already have too much on their plates as it
is, is not improbable. It is true that it takes children time and effort to
adjust to an educational environment where the demands of teachers require many
hours of dedicated work. Imagine the stress these students would have to endure
if these same requirements had to be met in a foreign-language environment.
Nonetheless, children are not the weaklings adults often see them as. They are
resilient and quick to adjust provided they receive all the support they can
from family and educators alike.
All things
considered, placing a child in an immersion school is indeed a gamble but not
one without its merits. The key, in my opinion, lies in the age at which the
child is first sent to such a school: the younger, the better. Speaking from
personal experience, having been a student in such a school myself, the first
two years might be difficult, almost daunting, but all the hardships are soon
forgotten.
(Word count: approximately 460 words)