Assessing the Utility of VEA for Computer Science Students at U of T

This essay critically examines the effectiveness of the Vocabulary Expansion Accelerator (VEA) as a tool for Computer Science students at the University of Toronto. It argues that VEA is not particularly useful for these students due to its online nature, which can be distracting, and the primary focus of computer science education on coding and programming skills rather than advanced English language competence. The essay highlights that computer science students need to dedicate their time to mastering coding languages, mathematical concepts, and logical reasoning, leaving little room for additional tools aimed at vocabulary expansion. Furthermore, it suggests that while good basic English is beneficial, it is not as crucial as strong coding skills for success in the field. The essay concludes that Computer Science students should prioritize their core coursework and practical application of programming skills over optional language enhancement tools like VEA.

Running Head: ENGLISH 1
Vocabulary Expansion Accelerator
Author's Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Introduction
The Vocabulary Expansion Accelerator (VEA)is a tool designed for students to acquire
new vocabulary by reading texts. The tool when used daily, is expected to help the students to
develop larger vocabulary very quickly and become a proficient reader (University of Toronto,
2019). Today, a large number of students use VEA to enhance their vocabulary and improve
their English skills.
As a student researcher and member of the team, I have observed that student use VEA a
lot. While it is true that language competence is key to academic and professional success, there
are some courses and areas where student researchers need not rely on Vocabulary Expansion
Accelerator. As a junior scholar, I argue that VEA is not an effective tool for students in
Computer Science.
VEA is not very useful for the computer students because it is an online tool and it can be
distracting for them. It does not make sense for computer science students to go online and check
the VEA to cope with their course. They can lose their focus and get distracted from the core
content of their subject. Already, computer science students are spending lots of their time on
their computers and online. VEA can be a distraction for them as it is an entirely different tool
from what they work on.
Computer Science students have to work harder on improving their as their work is
focused on programming languages and computers coding skills, rather than improve their
English skills. There is no need for them to use a wider range of vocabulary or write assignments
richer in content. What their professors expect from them is a perfect code that is richer in logic

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and reasoning. Moreover, if their basic English is good enough, they can still excel in their
courses and can do without the VEA.
Computer Science is all about coding, math, and thinking and has very little to do with a
higher level of English skills. This is why their teachers and professors do not expect mastery in
English from them. Instead, they are looking for mastery in computer skills and coding
languages. Computer Science takes lots of time and dedication to master the concepts and
theories. The students spend lots of time in the application of what they have learned (Ericksen,
2018). The computer science courses involve lots of math, statistics, and analysis and it takes
time and effort to master those technological concepts. As the students have many difficult
courses and content to work on, they would avoid spending time improving their English skills
and would rather spend their time learning the much harder coding language of computers.
Every student needs to be self-motivated and a regular learner. The same holds for the
Computer Science students who need to remain focused, self-disciplined and time regulated.
They need to focus on necessary course work rather than learn how to use optional learning tool
like VEA to enhance their English. Typically, a computer science student spends more extended
hours of regular studying on weekdays and even on the weekends. Those courses are intensive
and challenging. Thus, only those students who are passionate about programming and are
hardworking can understand and complete those programming assignments (Nika, 2013).
The students in Computer Science already spend most of their time on computers,
learning programming languages and coding. Computer science students as programmers need to
develop certain personality traits to be successful. They need unlimited persistence to
troubleshoot issues and have a deep understanding of how things interrelate in order to learn a
new programming language. Some of the programming languages are tough to master like

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Assembly, C#, TeX, Objective C and more (Computer Science MS Degrees, 2019). They are
already too busy and have little time for any extra activities. They have heavy workloads and
challenging courses to complete. Under such circumstances, it does not seem feasible for them to
spend time browsing an online tool to improve their English skills. They would look for more
face to face interactions and enjoy social skills. VEA cannot help them in the real world as they
really do not need another online tool and for improving their English. They would rather prefer
interacting with other students and teachers.
Computer Science is not just about computers but involves computation and information.
Those involved with Computer Science need to remain updated with the latest development in
the field. The classes are more focused on practical skills and are not based on a theory like other
types of degrees. The approach is far more practical in computer science as one has to apply the
theoretical knowledge in a computer laboratory through practical exercises (Goodey, 2017). The
students can easily give logical explanations for each step with good basic English.
When computer science students enter the workforce and look for professional jobs, it is
true that they need to present impressive cover letters. Still, their prospective employers would
be looking for a high level of computer and coding skills rather than English language
competence. Ac computer student with an excellent command over coding and average English
language skills will get hired over another who has good command over English but poor coding
skills. It would be an advantage if a computer science student can communicate orally and in
writing with fluency in English, However, that is not the prime goal of his life or career. All he
needs is a fundamental and good understanding of English. He can perfectly master his coding
and programming even without those advanced skills of English.

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While there is no denying that a high level of language competence is required for
academic success, there are different expectations in different educational departments.
Computer science students have no real need to enhance their Academic English competence.
Instead, they need more time and effort to raise their understanding of computer coding and
language. To conclude on the subject, it is evident that Computer Science students have lots to
work hard on and have little time or need for online tools like Vocabulary Expansion
Accelerator.

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References
Computer Science MS Degrees. (2019). Is Programming Hard to Learn?, computer ciencems
Retrieved from https://computersciencems.com/resources/computer-science/is-
programming-hard-to-learn
Goodey, A. (2017). 5 Study Tips that Will Make You a Successful Computer Science Student,
masters portal Retrieved from https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/434/5-study-tips-
that-will-make-you-a-successful-computer-science-student.html
Ericksen, K. (2018). How Hard Is Computer Science? Your FAQs Answered, rasmussen edu
Retrieved from https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/technology/blog/how-hard-is-
computer-science/
Nika, M. (2013). Is computer science for you?, telegraph Retrieved from
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10276792/Is-computer-science-for-
you.html
University of Toronto. (2019). Vocabulary Expansion Accelerator, utsc utoronto Retrieved from
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/eld/vocabulary-expansion-accelerator

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