Toefl iBT Essay-4

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
It is better for students to take classes for more than 11 months throughout the year.

I have heard that some educators want students to attend class for practically the entire year. I could not disagree more with them. Having students attend class for over eleven months is a bad idea that is detrimental to both the physical health of students and their self-improvement.

Going to school for eleven months will wear down students. Students need a break from school to recharge their batteries. At my school, we get two six- or seven-week breaks for summer and winter, but even that does not feel long enough sometimes. Students attend classes from 8 a.m to 3 or 4 p.m. Many also attend private lessons afterwards, and every student has hours of homework each night. Maintaining such a schedule for most of the year is quaranteed to wear down even the most enthusiastic students. Without a longer break, students simply would not have the energy to focus on their schoolwork.

Students also need breaks to improve themselves in ways not involving school. In fact, a lot of students use their breaks to do various activities other than their schoolwork. For example, some get part-time jobs during the breaks to earn spending money. Other students study new languages, learn a musical instrument, or play sports during their breaks. All these experiences will help them in the future. As for me, I often travel with my family. We visit places in my country and take trips abroad. These trips help me broaden my horizons and see new places. Going to school eleven months out of the year would prohibit people from doing these exciting and beneficial activities.

Students cannot attend school practically all year round to take classes. They would not have the energy to put maximum effort into studying. And they would lose out on many chances to improve themselves. I really need my summer and winter breaks, and I hope that schools do not take them away from me.