Writing Feedback / TOEFL: Teachers should not make their social or political views known to students in the classroom. [4]

TOEFL preparation:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Teachers should not make their social or political views known to students in the classroom.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
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Teachers are the cornerstone of the educational process, and they have a significant influence on their students. Some teachers think that it is appropriate to share their social or political views to students in the classroom. However, In my opinion, it is not recommended for that to happen. I feel this way for a few reasons, which I will explore in the following essay.

First of all, teachers are a role model to students. Therefore, students are constantly vulnerable to teachers point of view. In fact, students are more curious about things outside books, so they can put all their attention to focus on what teachers say. I found this is to be true in my own life when I was in the high school. In the last Egyptian president's election, there was a debate about whose we had to choose! I inclined to choose Mobarek because I thought he is the best fit. However, my teacher started to talk about his political point of view and why we had to elect someone else. Unfortunately, I changed my choice and picked someone else. Later on, I realized that he was corrupted. This example illustrates that teachers influence their students.

Second, a different opinion can lead to problems and sometimes to fight. It looks like weird, but in reality, that can happen. Adam's, my friend, had an experience which is a compelling example of this. Three years ago, his teacher asked him to write an essay about the achievement of the Egyptian's president at that time. The teacher was a big fan of the president, but Adam was not. Consequently, Adam refused to write that essay and said bad words about the president. The teacher tried to stop Adam, but the situation ended in fights. Thus, it is wiser for teachers to avoid talking about any political issues in front of students.

Finally, some social behavior is not appropriate to be mentioned to young people. For example, if a teacher is a smoker and talked about that in the classroom, students will be influenced and can do the same. According to a study carried out by the educational department at Cairo University, 70% of students were more affected by their teacher's behavior than their parents. This study concludes that each teacher should take care of their action in front of students. Therefore, it is prudent to avoid talking about any social views inside schools.

To sum up, I strongly believe that teachers are required not to make their social or political views known to students in the class. The reason for that is to avoid misleading students, problems from happening, and bad behavior influence. Accordingly, when teachers follow this, we can expect an amazing education.

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* I am not sure how to answer like these questions, do I need to choose only one, social or political, or I have to talk baout both?

Thanks in advance

Writing Feedback / Trying new things and taking risks is the cornerstone of success [2]

Successful people try new things and take risks rather than only doing what they know how to do well

an efficient way to reach success

Success in life is a journey, which needs several steps to reach the success and satisfaction. Some people incline to restrict themselves to do what they know only, and they think that this is the easiest way to success. In my opinion, trying new things and taking risks is the cornerstone of success. I feel this way for a few reasons, which I will explore in this essay.

First of all, getting outside the comfort zone is the first step to the success because you will be different than others. People try to follow and mimic each other. The reason for that they feel comfortable to do what they know and avoid trying new stuff. On the other hand, few individuals have the ability to challenge themselves and try something different, and that's why they are unique and successful. I found this is to be true in my own life as a result of witnessing my father. He graduated from Cairo Medical School as many other doctors in Egypt. Most of his classmates went to the traditional way and worked at the Ministry of Health with a low salary. He decided to do something different than them, so he traveled to one of the undeveloped countries in Africa. He built a hospital there to help poor people. At that time the idea looked crazy until the United Nations decided to help that country. They appreciated my father's work and agreed to support him financially. Later on, my father became wealthy and worked with the United Nations as a medical consultant for their charity work. Accordingly, this experience shows that how is taking a risk can be the first step to success.

Second, we do not know our limitations and abilities until we discover it, so, people who are afraid form trying new things are restricting their minds and do not identify themselves very well. They think that whatever they are doing is always the best. However, they did not have a chance to cross their limitations. My friend's life is a compelling example of this. Peter, my friend, was working as a graphic designer in a TV channel. He was focusing on doing his job only and did not try to expand his duties. After five years of working in the same field, I told him that to try to be a journalist because his communication skill was impressive. Primarily, he resisted that idea, but later on, he made it. He realized that this new business is the best fit for him. Clearly, this example illustrates that how some individuals have a wrong self-image about themselves until they break their mental restrictions.

Finally, trying new things has a lifelong effect on happiness and satisfaction, however, doing one thing per life can lead to depression. Thus, in order to be successful, you have to enjoy your life and feel happy. According to a study carried out by the educational department at Cairo University, 77% of people who took risks in their life was feeling satisfied with their decisions, even if they did not accomplish their goal 100%. On the other hand, persons who did not challenge themselves and did new things were complaining from a kind of depression. This study concludes that happiness has an impact on the success and achieving person's goals.

To sum up, I strongly believe that people who are participating in new things and taking risks are more successful than others. This is because a successful person needs to do something different than others, remove any mental restriction, and feel fulfilled. Thus, it is wiser for each one to move forward and take some big decisions to change his life to a better way.