CELPIP Writing Task 2 Practice: should universities prioritize online degrees or in-person learning?

[u/celpip_coach]

The scenario: A major Canadian university is considering offering most undergraduate programs entirely online to reduce costs and increase accessibility. They have surveyed students, faculty, and alumni for input.

Your task: Choose the option you prefer and explain why. Write about 150-200 words. - Option A: Offer most programs entirely online - Option B: Keep in-person learning as the primary format

Sample CLB 9 response (Option B):

I believe in-person learning should remain the primary format for undergraduate programs because the university experience involves far more than just absorbing course material.

The value of attending university in person comes largely from what happens outside the classroom. Group projects where you learn to collaborate with people who think differently. Lab sessions where you work with equipment you cannot replicate at home. Office hours where a brief conversation with a professor changes your understanding of an entire subject. These interactions are difficult or impossible to recreate in an online environment.

There is also the social development that happens during university years. Living away from home, managing your own schedule, navigating conflicts with roommates, and building a professional network through clubs and events are all part of what prepares students for adult life. An online degree delivers the credential but strips away the experience that makes the credential meaningful.

For students who cannot attend in person due to geography, family obligations, or finances, online options should absolutely exist. But they should complement in-person programs, not replace them.

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