Do you know that half of the students are more likely to have college success when high school
offers cautious
choices? This proves how important choosing subjects at school can be. However, choices could lead to serious
issues, such as skipping essential subjects. So, should students have more say in choosing what subjects they
study? Welcome to my presentation. I'm Nguyen The Minh, a student from class 71 at Nguyen Dang Dao
Lower Secondary School, and today I'm proud to stand here to share my opinion about this topic. First and
foremost, I want to wish everyone health and abundant happiness. Now, without further delay, let's dive into the
heart of the problem.
Firstly, we should discuss the benefits of choosing the subjects. The first and most undeniable benefit is that it
allows personalized learning. When you can choose the subjects, you can not only learn with passion but also
fit with other goals. As the saying goes, "Passion is the best teacher." Personalized learning improves
performance by 30%. Stars like Taylor Swift and Shawn Mendes also choose personalized learning, which
paves the way for success in their music careers. Personalization also boosts educational outcomes. Students
who study at schools that allow subject choice to have 15% higher graduation rates, according to research by
the OECD in 2018.
Secondly, choosing the subjects fosters deeper learning. Mozart practiced musical training daily from an early
age, tailored to his interests, while Elon Musk credits his success to choosing a study list for deep
understanding. By choosing their subjects, students have much more time to research their favorite topics.
According to Edutopia, a famous foundation created by George Lucas, student choice increases critical
thinking abilities.
In contrast, while the benefits are clear, there are also serious risks that we must consider. Firstly, students often
skip important subjects. While students may have the right to choose their subjects, they may skip the subjects
they hate, as 63% of students view their schoolwork as irrelevant. This can create more time for other subjects
and deeper research, but it creates gaps in skills development. A student who loves to study natural science
subjects may skip social studies, like literature or history, which can lead to a lack of communication skills in
the future.
Secondly, allowing students to choose subjects can lead to poor decision-making. Adolescents are at a
developmental stage where they may conceal information from their parents, yet lack the maturity to make
significant decisions independently. Research indicates that the prefrontal cortex—the brain region responsible
for planning, impulse control, and evaluating consequences—continues to mature into the mid-20s. This
ongoing development contributes to increased impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors during adolescence.
Now, it's time for me to reveal the answer. In my opinion, I think we should allow students to choose subjects.
However, instead of letting them choose all the subjects, we should let them decide on a part of the curriculum,
while all students should follow specific subjects. Finland, one of the top countries in educational outcomes,
prioritizes choosing subjects.
In conclusion, allowing students to choose their subjects can lead to personalized learning and foster deeper
understanding, but it is crucial to strike a balance. By integrating some choices within a structured curriculum,
we can support students' passions while ensuring they gain essential skills across all subjects.