Do you agree with the following statement? School-age children (aged five to ten) should be required to study the arts, in addition to maths, languages, science and history. I myself do not agree. Usually, school curricula stress the importance of academic subjects - such as the above - whereas the arts are considered less important. I feel they are right - that the arts do not have as much educational value as academics do, and making them mandatory in elementary and middle school is unnecessary. There are two main reasons why I hold this opinion. First, apart from school classes, there are plenty of other ways to obtain an arts education. For example, we can take young students to plays, museums and concerts, where they can obtain firsthand experience of great works of art. Moreover, there are many books introducing the many facets of the arts, and if children are interested, they can easily find these books and acquire such knowledge. Second, For the few gifted arts students, studying under a professional artist is a better idea, because they need tailored lessons and guidance to become professionals. These are the reasons why I believe we can develop children’s knowledge and appreciation of the arts by means other than schooling.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Younger school children (aged five to ten) should be required to study art and music in addition to math, language, science, history. Usually, school curriculums concentrate on subjects such as math, language, science and history, whereas other subjects like art and music are considered less important. As for me, I admit that art and music are of the same educational value (as what?), but making them mandatory in elementary or middle school is unnecessary. There are two main reasons why I hold this opinion, which I will elaborate on in this essay. First of all, apart from at school, there are plenty of other ways of gaining artistic education. For example, we can simply take young students to art galleries, museums, and concerts, etc, where they can soak themselves in the artistic world and attain first-hand experience of appreciating great works of art and music. (During school time?) (this is not really active learning) Moreover, there are many relevant books about art history, artists, musicians, and masterpieces (?). If children are interested, they can easily read those books and acquire such knowledge. Another reason is that for gifted students, to study and practice under a specialized tutor is a better idea, because they need tailored lessons and guidance to become professionals. Therefore, I believe we can develop children’s artistic abilities and nurture such taste by other means and occasions instead of through schooling.(to be continued)

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Younger school children (ages five to ten) should be required to study art and music in addition to math, language, science, history. Usually, school teachers emphasize the significance of some subjects such as math, language, science and history, whereas some subjects like art and music are considered less important. In my opinion, I admit that art and music are of the same educational value, but making them mandatory in elementary or middle school is unnecessary. There are two main reasons why I hold this opinion, which I will elaborate on in the essay. First of all, apart from school courses, there are plenty of other ways of studying the arts. For example, we can simply take young students to art galleries, museums, and concerts, where they can soak up the artistic world and attain firsthand experience of appreciating great works of art and music. Moreover, there are many relevant books introducing art history, artists, musicians, and masterpieces. If the children are interested, they can easily find those books and acquire such knowledge. For a few gifted students, to study and practice under a specialized tutor is a better idea, because they need tailored lessons and guidance to become professionals. Therefore, I believe we can develop children’s artistic abilities and nurture such taste by other means and on many occasions instead at school. (to be continued)