Grade 12 English should be required to get into University

Although English is not my favourite subject, and most of my friends would agree, I still believe that 4 years of English should definitely be a requirement to get into University.  As a student pursuing a scholarship in tennis, I was told up front that I would need to ensure that I have a grade 12 university level English to even have a chance to be successful in the SAT exams.  English is so important and the way we express ourselves is a reflection of our character and personality.  

No matter what program you decide to take in university, you will eventually have to be able to write an essay or  a formal paper.  I truly believe that basic reading and writing skills are necessary and an important part of everyday life.  

English is not just a course needed to learn how to write, it is also used to be able to effectively make conversation and express opinions.  In the age of social media, many have lost the ability to speak with each other.  This is a skill that is so important regardless of what program you are taking or what career path you choose for yourself.  Without this basic skill of having conversations with  people, many opportunities could be lost.

                                                                Photo by Michele Escudero

Good communication skills and being able to properly prepare essays is needed for a student to be able to get their ideas across to a target audience.  Without these skills a student will not be able to demonstrate knowledge of the program content to the professor, regardless of the program of choice.

I believe that if I want to be a professional tennis player some day, I will have to be able to listen, understand, and execute instructions and without English, I won't be able to make that eloquent acceptance speech as the champion of Wimbledon.

                                                            Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images


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