Analysis of issue

The best teachers are those whose classes include a large amount of discussion between teachers and students
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.

Response

Whether teachers who include a large amount of discussion in the classes are the best teachers depends on a variety of factors. In my view, discussion is a key ingredient in getting the best out of the students. Discussion between teachers and students not only helps to create a friendly environment but also helps students to gain more confidence.

The main reason for my view is, there are students of all levels in a large class starting from excellent to average to below average students. Discussion helps teachers to evaluate categorise students so that teachers can pay more attention to students who require more nurturing. For example, survey conducted by Economic Times (India) had 48% of parents who felt that their children feel disengaged in the class because the teachers are only concerned with finishing the coursework, almost all the respondents agreed that by having more discussion in class would help the teachers evaluate students in a better way. Also, average and below average students often shy from speaking about their problems or talking to other students in the class, discussion would help to eliminate this problem. Finally teachers who promote discussion in the class are in a way helping students to learn from each other.

Another reason for my view is, discussion in classes is a continuous process in building the confidence in students to communicate effectively in front of others, which is one of the most important factors to be successful. Specifically, everyone in life has to put his ideas in the most efficient manner. Some very important words were once said by Infosys chairman, Mr. Murthy, "today you have to be more reactive instead of being active, to be successful you have to sell your ideas in more quickly than others". Admittedly, discussion is nothing but building confidence in oneself.

In sum, I agree that discussion helps students to be confident and creates a healthy and friendly environment within a class. However, it should be balanced so that everyone gets a chance to put across his ideas; on balance discussion if properly maintained can do wonders to child's future.