Writing for an Academic Discussion Should physical exercise be a mandatory part of th school education or should schools concentrate solely on academic subjects?

Do you believe that physical exercise should be a mandatory part of the school education, or should schools concentrate solely on academic subjects?

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.     What is the purpose of education?

2.     Is physical exercise a required activity in you school curricula? Why do you think it is or it is not?

3.     Are there any other benefits in making physical exercise mandatory than what Alice mentioned?

4.     What is Bob’s point? Do you agree?

 

 

☆Hints for points

・The purpose of education

1.    To promote physical, mental, and social development of individuals.    

2.    To develop every individual to their full potential.

3.    To equip individuals with earning ability.

 

・The purposes or benefits of physical education

1.    Healthy mind and body: Not only can it promote physical fitness and develop motor skills but also it can help students better concentrate on their study if they exercise moderately.

2.    Healthy lifestyle: Students who are not interested in sports can learn to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.

3.    Familiarity with some popular sports: Having some hands-on experience with some popular sports will help students enjoy playing or watching them.

4.    Intimacy with classmates and social skills: Playing sports or doing exercise together will help students gain intimacy with other students and develop social skills.

                               

・Physical exercise is available outside of school while academic subjects are not, so time should be spent on the latter and the former should be an elective.

 

 

☆Sample Responses

Sample 1

【Thesis】I think P.E. should be mandatory because it fulfills the purpose of education: to promote physical, mental, and social development of individuals.

【Supporting Details】For example, playing basketball develops physical fitness, heightens mental activities, and promotes friendship and team work. P.E. also allows students to relax as Alice mentions. I’m sure everybody remembers the refreshed feeling after moving their body in a P.E. class between intensive academic classes. Studies find that exercise even directly raises learning ability.

【Counterargument-treatment】Although I understand Bob’s concern about losing precious time for academic studies by allocating some school hours to P.E., but it could be a little narrow-sighted in light of the purpose of education. It is not just academic performance but also well-rounded personality and physical fitness that are required for a successful future.

【Conclusion】Thus, I believe P.E. should be a requirement. (136 words)

 

Sample 2

【Thesis】I agree with Bob because academic subjects are available only in school while physical exercise can be done anywhere.

【Supporting Details】Awareness on health issues has become high nowadays, and there are enough opportunities to exercise outside of the school. Also, it is questionable if sports are indispensable for the health. Doing household work or walking a long distance, for example, has the same positive effects on the body and mind.

【Counterargument-treatment】 Of course, many, including me, benefit from physical exercise at school in terms of what Alice cites. However, it won’t get unanimous agreement as some people don’t like sports or doing exercise and a P.E. class is nothing other than a torture to them. In the end, physical exercise is one of the practical subjects such as music and art, and music and art are elective in high school.

【Conclusion】Therefore, I think physical exercise should be treated as such. (148 words)

Write your response in 10 minutes. Show each other your responses. Write down questions or suggestions to each other’s response.

 

                                                   DRAFT