Senior School Students Should Learn A Wide Range Of Subjects | Band 7.5 IELTS Essay Sample

Some people think that older school children should learn a wide range of subjects to acquire more knowledge, while other people believe they should learn a small number of subjects in detail. Discuss both views and give your opinions.

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IELTS essay sample

Some people insist that schools should offer comprehensive education which covers a variety of subjects, but others opine that studying a small range of subjects in detail gives students more benefits.

On the one hand, when a wide range of subjects are included in the curriculum, students can easily discover their true interests and aptitudes. Students, especially senior school students, have to choose what to study at university so it is necessary for them to identify their true interests and goals. For example, if students learn both science and arts in high school, they can easily decide whether they should choose physics or literature as their majors at university. Conversely, if they studied only a few subjects in high school, their choices are limited and they may not find what they actually like.

On the other hand, senior students who study a small number of subjects in detail stand a better chance of finding a good job. Learning specific subjects in detail can help students develop specific skills, which are essential for finding a job. This argument is based on the assumption that by the time a student reaches high school, they have already realized their true interests. While this is true for some students, it is not always the case. In fact, many students cannot decide what they should study at university even after finishing higher secondary school.

In my opinion, for the comprehensive development of students, the school should not only provide a well-rounded curriculum, but also offer a few elective subjects for students to develop in-depth knowledge. For example, in China, most public senior high schools provide students with the N+1 model, which includes various foundation subjects plus one specific subject. This model helps students find their true interests as well as develop the skills required for job search. This model has been awarded as one of the most successful education models in China.