Why We (Probably) Shouldnโt Make 4U English Required For University Entry
Now listen, when I say this, Iโm not suggesting 4U is a bad course to have. Itโs clearly well purposed, teaching students important skills they need at a higher level, especially for university-bound teens.ย
But, even as I say that, I donโt think itโs completely necessary for some students. Hear me out.
Say thereโs someone going to major in math (whichever subject in specific that is, I canโt say, Iโm not a math person), now, why on earth would that person be in need of learning the most tedious way to write a formal, 20 page, essay, when they wonโt be needing to be doing so beyond high school? Itโs not like we require all English majors to take Calculus.
ย Photo by Tomasz Urbaszek
It simply doesnโt make sense for some of these subjects to need university-level English as a requirement.
Hereโs my suggestion: For certain programs, make it a necessity. These are the programs that are very heavily based on writing. For other programs, we leave it to the studentโs discretion on whether or not they would like to take the course.ย
Of course, since 4U English is more ideal, there can always be some kind of negotiation involved. Like some universities, they can recommend the course, but not have it as a prerequisite. That way, students would still have the incentive to take the course, but if youโre not an โEnglishโ person, it doesnโt bar you from your post-secondary adventures.
Again, Iโm not suggesting that 4U English is awful. Iโm just suggesting that we shouldnโt forbid people from universities if English isnโt their thing, especially if they wonโt be needing it in their future programs.
What do you think? Should we be requiring 4U English? Do you agree or disagree? The floor is yours, if youโre willing to take it.ย