Följande text har skrivits som en argumenterande uppgift i Engelska6 för gymnasiet och är tänkt att framföras som ett speach.
Författare: Vera, 16 år, Engelska6, Naturvetenskapsprogrammet Internationell profil
Argument 1: Why do I have to wait?
Why do I have to waste my time because I understand? Everyone should be able to learn. Why am I not allowed to learn just because I understand? Why am I not allowed to learn colors like purple and orange just because I know red, blue and yellow? It doesn’t make sense. Why do I have to wait for everyone else to learn red, blue and yellow? It could take weeks or even months, and you’re saying I should just sit there at my desk and do nothing? In that time, I could’ve learnt so much! So please, give gifted students like me more help in school.
Argument 2: Let me accelerate!
Accelerate classes/courses/years. Let me work with students on my level. Let me discuss things. I write texts at home, why do I have to learn ABC? Let me talk to students on my “level”, who share my knowledge. Because talking to someone who can’t say “Hi, my name is – “ (no offence) but that wouldn’t get me anywhere. And if those students who are on my “level” is older, why is that a problem? I get that it’s weird for someone a lot younger to study with older students, but this isn’t about age. This is about knowledge and equality. So what if it’s a lot to do for me to skip a grade or two? All I would say is “finally! A challenge!” Gifted students need more help in school. And why do some people think I need an A to go to the next course? People who stick with their age and everything don’t need an A to go to the next course, so who do I have to? It’s unfair. It’s not about performance, it’s about knowledge and equality.
Counter argument: Think about everyone else!
“You’re smart, be happy! Others need help too, stop bragging” “Accelerate -> skip knowledge” If you’re so smart, you wouldn’t need help. You’re only bragging when you do that, so stop it. You’re hurting others. We know you’re smart, you don’t have to rub it in. Besides, when you skip classes, you miss out on so much knowledge! Others need more help than you do, it’s not that important to help you when others have it much more difficult.
Argument 3: I need help!
No, High intelligence ≠ High performance. When I’m not learning anything, I lose motivation. When I can’t use my brain, the thought remains inside, and I get anxiety and depressed. Why do I have to repeat courses because I didn’t get an A? I don’t want to. No one else must, so why do I? And I’m not saying others shouldn’t get help. But just because someone needs more help doesn’t mean others shouldn’t get it. I envy some of you. Because I don’t know what to do when I don’t understand. I never learnt that. I grew up always knowing everything, never once encountered a challenge. So when I get stuck, I don’t know what to do and break down in tears. I’m not bragging, I’m simply asking for help. I’m still a kid, a child. Why can’t I ask for help like everyone else without getting accused of bragging? And it’s not just me. We are many, many people all around the world who need this help. Statistically, 1 in 50 is gifted. That’s like 1 student per class. And you’re saying we shouldn’t do something? Scientists have proven that gifted people without understanding and support face an increased risk of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and even social and academical problems. 1 in 50 gifted students drop out of school. 1 in 50. And many gifted people never live up to their full potential due to the lack of support. So please give us gifted students more help in school because gifted children often struggle to reconcile their advanced intellectual abilities with their age-appropriate motor and social skills, resulting in frustration and self-doubt. They must also cope with heightened sensitivity and emotional intensity, which can make standard ups and downs of childhood feel overwhelming. About 10-20% of gifted people never receive help and ends up in… bad situations. That’s like one in five. One in five. We must put that to a stop before it gets worse. Give us a chance too.
Solution
Educate your teachers. Don’t just put us alone in a room with another book. Let us join other classes/courses/years and give us more. When the class learns about what the different animals eat, let us learn why. Why do they have to eat that and why can’t they eat something else. Give me difficult questions so I can use my brain. When I get a challenge, I get motivated, and my brain becomes a sponge. Isn’t that what you seek in a student? Someone who feels motivated and wants to be there?
Vera