Peddie School, Hightstown, New Jersey Yvonne Zhou

   In the future, students may have the choice of studying at home using computers or TV sets, or of studying in traditional schools. Which would you prefer? — A topic selected from a TOEFL writing section

    There are now various ways of acquiring knowledge, which can lead to confusion over the best choice for an individual. But though options such as learning at home with the use of the Internet and other modern media does sound very attractive, studying at a traditional school is still the best method for me.

    I think that most students can learn best through face-to-face communication with teachers in a traditional school. Not only can the teachers provide extra help to the students who encounter difficulties, but they can also adapt their method of instruction so as to put emphasis on the topics which students consider more difficult. The guidance of the teachers is essential, and they can help students gain confidence by giving them feedback and encouragement. A good teacher is central to acquiring a good education.

    In addition, there are fewer distractions at school compared to the environment at home, and a teacher can also enforce discipline and promote a positive attitude towards learning. In the privacy of their home, some people tend to feel too relaxed and will lack any pressure to concentrate on their studies. Being surrounded by others who are engaged in the same activity of acquiring knowledge allows students to focus on their work.

    Also, students can develop their social and communication skills. They learn to be more tolerant and to accept criticism. In a school where people discuss and argue in order to solve problems, students acquire skills that will enable them to cope in the world beyond the classroom.

    Though cutting-edge technology is now often used in the field of education, an overreliance on these deprives students of the opportunities to share their thoughts and interact with others in person. Therefore, at the risk of sounding very conservative, I think that the most efficient way of acquiring an education is by attending a traditional school.