Some students like classes where teachers lecture (do all of the talking) in class. Other students prefer classes where the students do some of the talking. Which type of class do you prefer? Give specific reasons and details to support your choice.

Model Essay

As a high school student, I have experienced both traditional lecture-based classes and more modern participation-based classes. Based on my experience, I strongly believe that the latter is more effective and engaging compared to the former.

While traditional lecture-based classes have their advantages, such as imparting detailed information and catering to individual learning, they largely rely on the teacher to transfer information to the students. This does not guarantee full understanding or retention of the material. In contrast, participation-based classes, where students are encouraged to ask questions, contribute to discussions and work in groups, promote active learning and critical thinking.

Participation-based classes are designed to promote a collaborative culture of learning. Such classes allow students to share knowledge and ideas, challenge each other’s point of view, and brainstorm together to come up with new solutions to problems. Students in these classes are usually more engaged in the material being taught, leading to deeper understanding and better retention of information.

Participation-based classes offer valuable opportunities for students to develop public speaking and presentation skills. Students learn how to express themselves in front of others and how to communicate their ideas effectively. They also develop strategies to overcome shyness and stage fright, which are useful skills that can be applied in other areas of life.

In my personal experience, I have found participation-based classes to be highly effective. For example, in one of my English classes, our teacher encouraged us to participate in group discussions. We read and analyzed Shakespeare’s play, “Romeo and Juliet” together, which I enjoyed more than if we had just read the play in class. By engaging in discussions, we came up with new interpretations of the play, related it to modern life and even acted out scenes from it. These activities made us more invested in the play and helped us understand the nuances of the language better.

Critics argue that participation-based classes can be less efficient in terms of time management and can lead to students dominating discussions. While these are valid concerns, they can be overcome by clear structuring of discussion and group work sessions and the use of participation marks to hold students accountable for active engagement.

In conclusion, participation-based classes offer a more engaging and effective learning experience than traditional lecture-based classes. They promote active learning, critical thinking, collaboration, and self-expression. My hope is that educators will continue to incorporate more group work and discussion in their classes to create a more positive and enriching learning experience for students.