As an O Level English language teacher, I have seen the various degrees of horror and boredom that cross my student’s faces when I mention the word ‘essay’- and I get it, truly I do. For most students in Pakistan, the O Level English Language is the bottom of the barrel when it comes to O level subjects- it’s required and you just want to get it over with.
While I understand the sentiment, I have to play devil’s advocate and ask that the subject be looked at for its broader ramifications, rather than the short-term goal of fulfilling a requirement.
You see, more than just getting you through O -Levels, your mastery of the written word will serve you for years to come, and in fact, will play a major role in how people see you before they actually see you.
Let me explain.
After O levels, you head to your A level subjects, were more than likely, you will be required to write lengthy essays that articulate your understanding of the subject matter. This essay is your grade. This essay is your evidence that you deserve to graduate and head off to college.
College. Another essay.
See, for an admission committee sitting halfway around the world, your application is no different than the other thousands piled on their desks. They don’t know you; they don’t know you’re a star athlete or that you can sing, or that you played Romeo in the school play. You’re a statistic…UNTIL they read your ‘personal statement’.
That personal statement is your best bet at a college acceptance. It shows the committee who you are- using the written word and expression- and it convinces them that you’re a good fit for their campus. So you see, learning the art of writing is not just a ‘requirement’- it adds to your image, it shows that you have the ability to express yourself and do it well. In a digital world, it is also often the first impression you make on prospective employers and also how you network.
You need to be able to say something and say it well. That being said, I will say that you don’t just learn to write in the 3 years of your O-levels, it is an on-going process that evolves and matures as you do, combined with what you’re reading…
