Writing for Academic Education Should there be age restrictions on university education? - revised -

Should there be age restrictions on university education? (education)

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        Are there age restrictions on university education?

                                                         Note: There is no upper age limit in college or university admission.

2.        Discuss the topic regarding the following words. Share examples if you know any.

・Lifelong learning and university

・Career change and university

・Equality and access to higher education

・Diverse perspectives and older, more mature students

・Budget constraints in meeting the needs of students

・Other advantages and disadvantages of having age restrictions in accepting elderlies in college

3.        Neoliberalists maintain that elderlies are not productive and therefore they should be gotten rid of society, some even saying that they should commit collective suicide when they turn a certain age. Do you agree?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Lifelong Learning: Lifelong learning is the "ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated" pursuit of learning for either personal or professional reasons. Lifelong learning is important for an individual's competitiveness and employability, but also enhances social inclusion, active citizenship, and personal development. Professions typically recognize the importance of developing practitioners becoming lifelong learners. Many licensed professions mandate that their members continue learning to maintain a license. Lifelong learning institutes are educational organizations specifically for lifelong learning purposes. Informal lifelong learning communities also exist around the world.  ―Wikipeda

 

Career Change: 11% of U.S. adults are considering going back to school for career change. ―Google search

 

Equality and Access to Education: A society must be brought into being in which the people can continue to learn throughout their lives, on all occasions and in all places, and in which they can suitably apply the outcomes of their lifelong learning to refine themselves and lead fulfilling lives. ―Basic Act on Education of Japan, Article 3, the Japanese Constitution

 

Diverse Perspectives: Mature students can provide viewpoints that are different from those of young students and help deepen discussions and understanding of the subjects. Older students can also provide younger students with advice on various matters in life.

 

Budget Constraints: Necessary resources such as services, facilities, and subjects of interest of elderlies are different from those of young people. Universities may have financial difficulties in meeting the needs of older students.

 

 

☆Sample Answer for Ideas and Expressions

【Thesis】No one is too old to learn, as the cliché goes. A number of adults want to restart learning. Therefore, there should not be age restrictions on university education.

【Supporting Details】Most people keep learning after graduation. Workers constantly need to update their knowledge and skills. Huge corporations have their employees take training courses or go to graduate schools for Master’s degrees. People who want to change careers and homemakers who have finished child-rearing may want to resume studies to equip themselves with degrees before going back to work. Also, people who missed the opportunity to go to university for poverty or other reasons may want to go to university later in life. Besides, aging society is potentially full of senior citizens who have time and money to return to school. Universities must accommodate the needs.

【Counterargument-treatment】I understand the point of Alex that needs of young students should be prioritized in using the limited resources of university so that they can get ready to work, and I totally agree with him. However, age restriction in acceptance is another matter. It is age discrimination based on the neoliberal idea that only those who are productive should be prioritized. This is unconstitutional in that it violates elderlies’ rights to have a healthy and cultural life and pursue happiness. In terms of resources, universities can take full care of younger students without excluding older people from the campus.

【Conclusion】After all, having old people on campus may well not be unproductive. On the contrary, it is manifestation of the richness of inclusive, egalitarian society.    (258 words)

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

 

 

                                                   DRAFT