Choose one of the two alternatives.

Alternative 1 – Advantages and disadvantages
Choose one of the following topics and write a short report outlining the advantages and disadvantages, and summarising your point of view.

• single-sex vs. coeducational schools
• formal examinations vs. continuous assessment and project work
• a fixed syllabus of the core subjects: maths, science, language vs. a more flexible syllabus
• rote learning vs. experiential learning
• education now vs. education 50 years ago

Try to incorporate the language that you have focused on in this section. For example:

Generalising: as a rule, by and large, generally speaking, in general, in most cases, in principle, on the whole, to a great extent
Contrasting: but, however, on the other hand, whereas, while
Emphasising contrast: in spite of this, mind you, still, yet
Adding: besides, in addition, in any case, moreover, on top of that, what's more
Summarising: all in all, in conclusion, in short, to sum up

Write no more than 300 words. Check spelling, grammar and organisation carefully before sending the text to your tutor.

Alternative 2 – Pros and cons

Write an essay to your tutor discussing the pros and cons of one of the following topics, or of one of your own choice:

• flexi-time vs. a fixed timetable
• working from home vs. working in an office
• working in a team vs. working alone
• online learning vs. face-to-face classes
• your own educational experiences vs. an ideal education

(This essay will be useful for you to refer to during the Speaking Tutorial, which follows.)

Write approximately 300 words. Use language that you have focused on in this unit, as outlined in Alternative 1, above. Check spelling, grammar and organisation carefully before sending the text to your tutor.