CAE Essay: Computer studies at school

Source of the task: Succeed in Cambridge English Advanced: 10 CAE Practice Tests: New 2015 format  by Andrew Betsis and Lawrence Mamas

That the secondary educational system needs overhauling has been obvious in the past five years. A recent radio program discussed the introduction of computer courses and Ancient Greek and Latin studies to the school curricula. The question is which course school children would benefit from most.

With the accelerated speed of technological development and computer sciences, it goes without saying that the introduction of computer studies would open the doors to a myriad of educational and future career opportunities for schoolers. For one, they would be better able to write projects, do some research and produce texts, to name but a few. For another, schoolchildren would be interested in seeking a career in IT, one of the biggest growing fields in demand nowadays.

Some might favour for the addition of Anient Greek and Latin studies to the school program. It is true that learning these languages can give insight into the world history and roots of modern languages. But being dead languages, Ancient Greek and Latin are almost never used these days. Besides, the volume of schoolchildren’s workload--both propelled by school and extra-curricular activities--deem the studies of dead languages irrelevant.  

In light of the above, it follows that while studying Ancient Greek and Latin can teach schoolers some facts about history, their value would be considerably limited as compared to computer studies. This is because the more able people are to use computers, the more knowledgable they are likely to be. Also, some might be encouraged to seek career in the IT industry, which is thriving and generating most income nowadays.