TASK 2: ARGUMENT ESSAYS – 3 MODELS
Single-Sex or Co-Ed Schools: Boys and girls should be educated together.
Model 1: _____________________________________________________________________
In the UAE, most schools are single-sex. Some people believe that this kind of
school offers more benefits for the student. However, others think that coeducational
ones are better. This essay will examine the pros and cons of co-ed and single-sex
schools.
There are several arguments in favour of mixed schools. The first argument is that
students will learn to communicate with each other. This is important so that the sexes
won’t have problems in marriage or work in the future. It is also claimed that boys in
co-ed schools might study harder in order to look good in front of the girls. As a result,
the classroom atmosphere might be better. Finally, people posit that co-ed schools are
more interesting. Students get to know different viewpoints.
Nevertheless, there are many convincing arguments against co-ed schools. The
first point is that students can remain more focused on their work. Boys and girls may
not concentrate on their studies in a mixed class. Another counterargument is that
there is a big difference between girls and boys. Since they don’t think in the same
ways, they should not be taught the same. Last, each gender has different strengths;
girls excel in some subjects, notably English, and boys do so in others, notably math.
In conclusion, single-sex schools and mixed schools both have advantages and
disadvantages. A compromise may be the best answer: girls and boys could attend the
same school but be taught in different classes. Perhaps this is the way forward.
(250 words)
Page 1
Single-Sex or Co-Ed Schools: Boys and girls should be educated together.
Model 2: _____________________________________________________________________
Most schools are single-sex in the UAE. Have you ever wondered whether these
types of schools are really advantageous for students? In fact, the arguments
supporting co-ed schools are very moving. Some pros of such schools are discussed
below.
The first convincing argument for co-ed schools is that boys and girls will learn to
communicate with each other. During children’s formative years, it’s important that
they share their different outlooks on life in constructive ways and school is the
perfect venue for doing so. Boys and girls who learn to communicate well will have
fewer problems in marriage or work in the future.
Another point is that boys and girls are a good influence on each other,
engendering good behaviour and maturity. Moreover, experts say that academic
competition between the sexes often leads to better grades in schools. In other words,
boys study harder to impress and outsmart girls and vice-versa.
Finally, co-ed schools are undeniably progressive and modern. One could even
say that single-sex schools are a throwback to the society of the past where,
historically, only men were allowed any kind of education. Separating girls may
remind them of this painful past and even negatively affect their performance in
school.
In summary, same-sex and co-ed schools both have advantages. We have seen,
however, that there are many strong arguments for the latter. I strongly believe that coed schools offer more benefits and ensure a rosy future for both genders.
(247 words)
Model 3: __________________________________________________
In the UAE, most schools are single-sex. Some people believe that this kind of
school is detrimental to students and prefer co-educational ones instead. However, the
arguments in favour of single-sex schools are very compelling. This essay will outline
some pros of such schools.
The first argument for single-sex schools is that students can remain more focused
on their work. It is evident that boys and girls can not concentrate on their studies in a
mixed class. Especially in adolescence, boys tend to distract girls and vice-versa: the
subject of study often becomes the other gender rather than English or math!
Second, single-sex schools break down stereotypes rather than reinforce them. It’s
a fact that girls in single-sex schools do better in math than they do in a co-ed school.
By the same token, boys perform better in English in single-sex schools than in mixed
ones. Numerous studies have proven this to be true.
Finally, boys and girls think in markedly different ways. This suggests, therefore,
that they should also be taught using strategies specific to their gender. Girls, for
example, may benefit more from listening and speaking tasks whereas boys may
prefer hands-on activities targeting their kinaesthetic preferences. In short, girls may
prefer to listen and speak, boys to “do” things such as project-based work.
To conclude, single-sex and mixed schools both have their merits. However, I
strongly believe that single-sex schools offer far better academic preparation than
mixed schools.
(241 words)
TASK 2: ARGUMENT ESSAYS – 3 MODELS
Single-Sex or Co-Ed Schools: Boys and girls should be educated together
Model 1: ______Balanced argument_______________________________________________




Most schools are single-sex in the UAE. Have you ever wondered whether these
types of schools are really advantageous for students? In fact, the arguments
supporting co-ed schools are very moving. Some pros of such schools are discussed
below.
There are several arguments in favour of mixed schools. The first argument is that
students will learn to communicate with each other. This is important so that the sexes
won’t have problems in marriage or work in the future. It is also claimed that boys in
co-ed schools might study harder in order to look good in front of the girls. As a result,
the classroom atmosphere might be better. Finally, people posit that co-ed schools are
more interesting. Students get to know different viewpoints.
Nevertheless, there are many convincing arguments against co-ed schools. The
first point is that students can remain more focused on their work. Boys and girls may
not concentrate on their studies in a mixed class. Another counterargument is that
there is a big difference between girls and boys. Since they don’t think in the same
ways, they should not be taught the same. Last, each gender has different strengths;
girls excel in some subjects, notably English, and boys do so in others, notably math.
In conclusion, single-sex schools and mixed schools both have advantages and
disadvantages. A compromise may be the best answer: girls and boys could attend the
same school but be taught in different classes. Perhaps this is the way forward.
(250 words)
Model 2: ___Pros (agree with statement_______________________________________





Most schools are single-sex in the UAE. Some people believe that this kind of
school is advantageous for students and don’t favour co-educational institutes.
However, the arguments supporting co-ed schools are very moving. Some pros of such
schools are discussed below.
The first convincing argument for co-ed schools is that boys and girls will learn to
communicate with each other. During children’s formative years, it’s important that
they share their different outlooks on life in constructive ways and school is the
perfect venue for doing so. Boys and girls who learn to communicate well will have
fewer problems in marriage or work in the future.
Another point is that boys and girls are a good influence on each other,
engendering good behaviour and maturity. Moreover, experts say that academic
competition between the sexes often leads to better grades in schools. In other words,
boys study harder to impress and outsmart girls and vice-versa.
Finally, co-ed schools are undeniably progressive and modern. One could even
say that single-sex schools are a throwback to the society of the past where,
historically, only men were allowed any kind of education. Separating girls may
remind them of this painful past and even negatively affect their performance in
school.
In summary, same-sex and co-ed schools both have advantages. We have seen,
however, that there are many strong arguments for the latter. I strongly believe that coed schools offer more benefits and ensure a rosy future for both genders.
(243 words)
Model 3: ____Cons (disagree with statement)___________________________________

In the UAE, most schools are single-sex. Some people believe that this kind of
school is detrimental to students and prefer co-educational ones instead. However, the
arguments in favour of single-sex schools are very compelling. This essay will outline
some pros of such schools.

The first argument for single-sex schools is that students can remain more focused
on their work. It is evident that boys and girls can not concentrate on their studies in a
mixed class. Especially in adolescence, boys tend to distract girls and vice-versa: the
subject of study often becomes the other gender rather than English or math!

Second, single-sex schools break down stereotypes rather than reinforce them. It’s
a fact that girls in single-sex schools do better in math than they do in a co-ed school.
By the same token, boys perform better in English in single-sex schools than in mixed
ones. Numerous studies have proven this to be true.


Finally, boys and girls think in markedly different ways. This suggests, therefore,
that they should also be taught using strategies specific to their gender. Girls, for
example, may benefit more from listening and speaking tasks whereas boys may
prefer hands-on activities targeting their kinaesthetic preferences. In short, girls may
prefer to listen and speak, boys to “do” things such as project-based work.
To conclude, single-sex and mixed schools both have their merits. However, I
strongly believe that single-sex schools offer far better academic preparation than
mixed schools.
(241 words)