- Remedial classes required only for ethnic students?
- Posted By:
- Tom A.
- Posted On:
- 01-Jul-2010
-
English language is a very important language for everyone today. This is because most of us study this language in school and then at work too, English is a widely used language. All those who speak impeccable English have an edge over the others.
Schools across America use English as their first language. In fact schools across from many countries use English as their first language. But a recent discovery by a student at the San Francisco public university caused a major stir amongst all the students as well as the professors.
When this person/student discovered that the remedial courses for English language at the university which is one the largest public universities in the whole of America is two years long, he was shocked. Therefore, he formed a campaign which stated that remedial courses like these should be brought down to one year only.
While some trustees and students are on his side, the professors and other members of the teaching staff are upset. They do not appreciate an individual at the student level or the trustees who are supporting him, interfering in the college curriculum. They want a free reign on how they should conduct their courses. One spokesperson stated that this was not required. For so long the two year remedial course in English language has been running successful so why should anyone object now.
The reason behind the shortening of the remedial courses for English language as stated by this student is that by doing so, the students can then applies for college courses sooner instead of waiting for one more year.
Two years is not required if the remedial course is properly planned. Another point to be noted in this argument is that these courses are required to be taken by students who are of different ethnicities. This means that the university believes that they require further coaching in English language than the regular American/white students.
This can be a total misunderstanding. Agreed that ethnic students may not speak English at home but it also depends on how soon they can grasp the language. If the manage really well and soon, then waiting for two years is not required.
However, the debate still continues. There is a mixed feeling amongst students and the trustees.
Should the American education system incorporate such policies which state that students belonging to different ethnic backgrounds require more coaching in English language? Is it to be taken for granted that would not grasp the language easily? Well this is another debate which needs to be pondered upon.
It is stated that the university in question above has similar conditions for courses in mathematics too. This subject, students might take a longer time and a remedial course might be good as they may get more practice out of it. I think such decisions should be left to the students and then based on their performances, the professors should be able to decide what is good for them and what is not.