Speaking Test Part 3:

1. What are the characteristics of a good student?

As I see it, a good student is conscientious, and works hard every day. It’s also important to read as much as possible, and spend a lot of time thinking about your subject. It also depends a bit on the subject being studied. For some subjects critical thinking is really important whereas for others memorisation of facts is more crucial.

2. What are the benefits of getting a university degree?

I guess that the main benefit is that it helps in your career. If you have a degree from a good university it can really help you find a job. And a postgraduate degree like a master’s degree or a PhD can help you get the highest paid jobs, or progress more quickly up the career ladder. Apart from that, higher education teaches you critical thinking skills which can be useful whatever you choose to do later in life.

3. Do you think distance learning is effective?

I’m not convinced that distance learning is as effective as actually attending a university in person. I think it’s easier for students to concentrate when they are on campus, in a lecture theatre, or when they’re in a seminar room with other students and a professor. I think it’s probably harder to stay motivated when learning remotely, so it requires students to be more disciplined and self-motivated. I imagine more students drop out of distance learning courses as a result of this difficulty. Finally, distance learning requires computer skills from the teaching faculty which they may not have. As a result, providing effective online courses can be a big challenge.

4. Are there advantages to studying in another country?

Yes, I’m sure that there are advantages to studying abroad. Students may get the chance to learn another language. It also offers opportunities for cultural experiences you wouldn’t get at home, and gives students a chance to make foreign friends. For example, one of my best friends at university was from France, and I was able to see how his English really improved while he was studying.

5. Should university education be free?

Well, in the UK higher education used to be free, but nowadays it’s not free and students have to pay quite large tuition fees every year. I wish it were still free as I think it would make it easier for students from poorer backgrounds to enrol. A lot of students get help from their parents, but students from poor families have to support themselves. In my opinion, university places should be given to the most able students, not just those who can afford them.

6. How do you think education will change in the future?

I imagine that more and more things will happen online. As internet communication technology improves, it will become easier and easier to learn online. Right now, there are still drawbacks to distance learning, but as virtual reality improves, learning virtually will be more or less the same as learning in a bricks and mortar institution. I guess that means that universities won’t have a big campus anymore. Everything will happen in the virtual world.