Some teachers think that international student exchange would be beneficial for all teenage school students. Do you think that its advantages would outweigh its disadvantages?

Essay Plan:

∙ Introduction: (1) refer to the statement (2) my opinion – the advantages outweigh the disadvantages

∙ Paragraph 2: disadvantages: (1) financial costs – poor families (2) some teenagers may be too immature for such an

experience

∙ Paragraph 3: advantages: (1) students studying a foreign language (2) other students – new cultural experience, new

friendships

∙ Conclusion: the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Essay:

It is true that some teachers consider that all their teenage students would benefit from an international student exchange scheme. While such a scheme might not be a valuable experience for every student, I think that for the great majority its advantages would outweigh its disadvantages.On the one hand, there are a few potential drawbacks if schools organise an international exchange programme for all teenage students.

 Firstly, there are considerable costs involved, and not every family may have the money to spare for travel or other expenses which would be incurred. For example, in the UK single-parent families are quite common, and they usually have to manage on a limited budget. Secondly, some teenagers are relatively shy and immature and may not be ready for the challenge of living with a family overseas. Not every adolescent develops at the same pace in terms of confidence and independence.

On the other hand, there are enormous advantages to be gained, which outweigh the disadvantages. For teenagers studying languages, an international exchange offers the chance to immerse themselves in the language of their host family. They will make much more rapid progress than is possible in the classroom. However, not only language students would benefit. Experiencing a different culture really broadens the horizons of all young people, exposing them to a culture shock that will encourage them to develop critical thinking skills and habits. Sometimes, these students may even form lifelong friendships as a result of such exchanges.

NOTES:

potential [adjective]: that can develop into something or be developed in the futureto spare [verb]: to make something such as money or time available to somebody or for something, especially when it requires an effort to do this 

to incur [verb]: if you incur costs or expenses, this means that you have to pay for them

single-parent families [noun]: families in which one person takes care of their child or children without a husband, wife or partner

to manage [verb]: to succeed in doing something, especially something difficultimmature [adjective]: not developed, behaving in a way that is typical of people who are much younger

to immerse oneself [verb]: to become completely involved in something

host family [noun]: a family which offers their home for an international student to stay

to broaden one’s horizons [expression]: to increase your knowledge and experience

expose [verb]: to let somebody discover something by giving them experience of it

culture shock [noun]: a feeling of confusion or anxiety that somebody may feel when they live or visit another country

critical thinking [noun]: the process of analysing information and experiences in an objective way, in order to make a judgement about