CAM 20 TASK 2 (2 PARTS): SUMMER HOLIDAYS
In many countries, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more in the summer holidays.
What is the value of long school holidays?
What are the arguments in favour of shorter school holidays?
Sample Answer
In numerous countries around the globe, there is often a two-or-more-months closure period of educational institutions at the primary and secondary levels during the summer break. In my opinion, prolonged school holidays serve the rightful purpose of students’ decompression and individual growth outside of the academic sphere. However, advocates of shorter holidays may argue in favour of knowledge retention and the futility of over-extended idle periods.
It is undeniable that extended summer holidays away from school are valuable for personal recharge. Primary and secondary pupils often struggle with compulsory lessons, assignments, and standardised tests during their formal academic terms, not to mention additional classes in the evening to prepare for crucial examinations. A summer break lasting for two months or longer would, therefore, not only help students regain balance between life and study, but also provide them with invaluable time for extracurriculars. Such a balance can in turn alleviate academic stress, maintain the passion for school, and foster a holistic development. As far as personal growth is concerned, a long summer school holiday can facilitate participation in endeavours outside the realm of traditional schooling. In many developing countries such as Vietnam, many primary school students are encouraged to take part in farming projects in the countryside or humanitarian summer campaigns in mountainous regions. Secondary students, on the other hand, are incentivised to work part-time at small businesses or work as interns for enterprises of multiple scales. The results of these initiatives are practical knowledge, experience, and increased independence.
Nonetheless, proponents of reduced summer holidays fervently point to concrete benefits. They maintain that significant periods away from formal schooling may mean knowledge erosion to a certain degree. Their justification is that without a formal and structured educational framework, students can easily get distracted from their immediate surroundings and other family responsibilities. Students living in rural communities in Vietnam, for example, are often obliged to contribute to household chores and other labour-intensive tasks during summer months. For reasons such as these mentioned above, most schools in Vietnam tend to organise summer classes to not only revise previous-year knowledge but also provide early preparation for the upcoming academic terms. Relatedly, overextended periods of summer break can lead to indulgence in non-productive pursuits, such as video-gaming, TV binge-watching, and physical idleness. These arguably futile activities can be exacerbated among primary and secondary children, who are often unable to exercise discipline and self-regulation.
In conclusion, prolonged school holidays are conducive to an academic detour and personal growth outside the academic realm. Detractors of this educational proposal may argue in terms of knowledge erosion and less productive pursuits, both of which can hinder students’ progress. Ideally, parents and educators should work in tandem to strategically devise structured holidays comprising both academic, extracurricular, and practical pursuits for the holistic development of children.
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TỪ VỰNG HAY
In many countries, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more in the summer holidays.
What is the value of long school holidays?
What are the arguments in favour of shorter school holidays?
Sample answer:
In numerous countries around the globe, there is often a two-or-more-months closure period of educational institutions at the primary and secondary levels during the summer break. In my opinion, prolonged school holidays serve the rightful purpose of students’ decompression and individual growth outside of the academic sphere. However, advocates of shorter holidays may argue in favour of knowledge retention and the futility of over-extended idle periods.
It is undeniable that extended summer holidays away from school are valuable for personal recharge. Primary and secondary pupils often struggle with compulsory lessons, assignments, and standardised tests during their formal academic terms, not to mention additional classes in the evening to prepare for crucial examinations. A summer break lasting for two months or longer would, therefore, not only help students regain balance between life and study, but also provide them with invaluable time for extracurriculars. Such a balance can in turn alleviate academic stress, maintain the passion for school, and foster holistic development. As far as personal growth is concerned, a long summer school holiday can facilitate participation in endeavours outside the realm of traditional schooling. In many developing countries such as Vietnam, many primary school students are encouraged to take part in farming projects in the countryside or humanitarian summer campaigns in mountainous regions. Secondary students, on the other hand, are incentivised to work part-time at small businesses or work as interns for enterprises of multiple scales. The results of these initiatives are practical knowledge, experience, and increased independence.
Nonetheless, proponents of reduced summer holidays fervently point to concrete benefits. They maintain that significant periods away from formal schooling may mean knowledge erosion to a certain degree. Their justification is that without a formal and structured educational framework, students can easily get distracted from their immediate surroundings and other family responsibilities. Students living in rural communities in Vietnam, for example, are often obliged to contribute to household chores and other labour-intensive tasks during summer months. For reasons such as these mentioned above, most schools in Vietnam tend to organise summer classes to not only revise previous-year knowledge but also provide early preparation for the upcoming academic terms. Relatedly, overextended periods of summer break can lead to indulgence in non-productive pursuits, such as video-gaming, TV binge-watching, and physical idleness. These arguably futile activities can be exacerbated among primary and secondary children, who are often unable to exercise discipline and self-regulation.
In conclusion, prolonged school holidays are conducive to an academic detour and personal growth outside the academic realm. Detractors of this educational proposal may argue in terms of knowledge erosion and less productive pursuits, both of which can hinder students’ progress. Ideally, parents and educators should work in tandem to strategically devise structured holidays comprising both academic, extracurricular, and practical pursuits for the holistic development of children.
Vocabulary
- prolonged school holidays – kỳ nghỉ hè kéo dài
- decompression – giải tỏa căng thẳng
- academic sphere – lĩnh vực học thuật
- advocates of shorter holidays – những người ủng hộ kỳ nghỉ ngắn hơn
- knowledge retention – giữ lại kiến thức
- futility of over-extended idle periods – sự vô ích của thời gian rảnh rỗi quá dài
- standardised tests – bài kiểm tra tiêu chuẩn
- invaluable time for extracurriculars – thời gian quý giá cho hoạt động ngoại khóa
- alleviate academic stress – giảm căng thẳng học tập
- foster holistic development – thúc đẩy sự phát triển toàn diện
- facilitate participation in endeavours – tạo điều kiện tham gia các hoạt động
- proponents of reduced summer holidays – những người ủng hộ giảm kỳ nghỉ hè
- knowledge erosion – sự mai một kiến thức
- indulgence in non-productive pursuits – sa đà vào các hoạt động không hiệu quả
- conducive to an academic detour – có lợi cho việc tạm rời khỏi học thuật
✅ DÀN Ý
🔹 Introduction:
- Thực trạng: Nhiều nước vẫn áp dụng kỳ nghỉ hè dài (2 tháng trở lên) cho học sinh tiểu học và trung học.
- Quan điểm: Nghỉ hè dài có ích cho sự phục hồi tâm lý và phát triển cá nhân, nhưng vẫn gây tranh cãi do lo ngại về sự sa sút kiến thức và thời gian rảnh quá mức.
🔹 Body 1 – Lợi ích của nghỉ hè dài:
- Học sinh thường bị áp lực bởi bài vở, kiểm tra và lớp học thêm → nghỉ dài giúp cân bằng lại.
- Có thêm thời gian quý giá cho hoạt động ngoại khóa, giảm stress, giữ động lực học tập.
- Tạo điều kiện tham gia các hoạt động ngoài trường lớp: làm nông, đi tình nguyện, làm thêm → tăng trải nghiệm, kiến thức thực tế và sự tự lập.
🔹 Body 2 – Mặt trái của nghỉ hè dài:
- Rủi ro sa sút kiến thức do xa rời môi trường học quá lâu.
- Học sinh dễ bị xao nhãng bởi công việc nhà, trách nhiệm gia đình, đặc biệt ở vùng nông thôn.
- Có thể sa đà vào các hoạt động thiếu hiệu quả như chơi game, xem TV quá nhiều → giảm kỷ luật, khó quay lại nhịp học.
🔹 Conclusion:
- Nghỉ hè dài có lợi cho sự phát triển toàn diện, nhưng cần được tổ chức có định hướng.
- Phụ huynh và giáo viên nên phối hợp lên kế hoạch kỳ nghỉ cân bằng giữa học tập, hoạt động ngoại khóa và thực hành kỹ năng sống.
