Some individuals advocate that people should master certain practical skills through self-study, while others hold a different view, arguing that adults should learn from a teacher in a classroom. Personally, I strongly support the latter perspective, mainly because self-study makes it difficult to concentrate and to find suitable teaching materials.
Clearly, self-study is an effective way to save money, as there are numerous free courses, lectures, and materials easily accessible on the internet or in libraries, whereas offline courses tend to be extremely expensive. More specifically, it is very convenient and cost-free for individuals to acquire valuable professional knowledge on platforms like Coursera, YouTube, or even TikTok, such as coding, communication skills, and vocational guidance. In contrast, citizens are more likely to focus on learning without distraction when they acquire knowledge in a classroom, where teachers supervise students and assign homework or workbooks that help in understanding complex knowledge, thereby making the learning process more efficient and effective.
On the other hand, teachers have a rich repository of skills and abilities, and they possess a wealth of professional and systematic knowledge and experience about how to teach students. In today’s era of information overload, the vast amount of material available on the internet makes it extremely difficult for students to find appropriate teaching videos and books to study from. However, teachers are adept at finding the most suitable resources and providing assistance in certain situations. For instance, when students encounter various problems or difficulties, teachers have the capacity to offer immediate feedback and guidance. As a result, students do not need to worry about searching for materials and solutions, which undoubtedly requires a significant amount of time, thus saving their energy and helping them focus on studying to achieve better academic performance.
In conclusion, from the perspectives of focus and suitable learning materials, I firmly believe that adults should attend classroom courses rather than learning by themselves.