2009年3月28日托福大作文

　　Topic: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Teachers should make their social or political views known to students?

　　It must be emphasized that teachers’ significant role in the cause of education can never be neglected, because teachers are not only instructing but also inspiring groups of students who attend their classes. Admittedly, teachers’ comments on political or social affairs can affect their students. As to the necessity of making students aware of teachers’ social or political views, people’s attitudes differ.

　　Those who deem that teachers should not convey their personal views on society and politics mainly reckon that it is a waste of time. First, from the perspective of academy, they argue that school is a place where students should primarily concentrate on learning. Therefore, what teachers actually need to do is to pay more attention to the foster of students’ academic capability. In addition, they claim teachers’ views on society or politics, sometimes, are nonsensical, which probably mislead a number of students. To conclude, they believe that these views disturb the normal academic study and work in school life.

　　Despite some negative attitudes towards this issue, there are others who are in favor of teachers’ expressing those views. First of and foremost, what convinces them is that school is a mini-society, where students should develop their independent points of view on social and political issues. By referring to teachers' comments, students can either accept or criticize those viewpoints. In this way, they can gradually construct independent thinking styles and their horizon is broadened to a large extent. More importantly, being aware of some social or political affairs can definitely assist students, graduates in particular, in preparation for future social life and work. After all, modern society is a highly competitive place, where opportunities always favor those who are prepared. To sum up, teachers’ social or political views, they believe, can be favorable for students’ range of knowledge and future social life.

　　Personally, I can hardly agree with the first view. What makes me convinced is that the ultimate goal of education is to foster talents who are not only excellent in academy, but also capable of completing practical social or political work successfully. That is the key to the all-around development of students. In this sense, it is indispensible for teachers make their social or political views known to students.

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