If you are interested in joining future Face Off debates, fill out this form to submit your application.
For: Nicholas Gao, 17, Chinese International School
Education is undergoing a significant transformation in today’s world, with digital tools playing an increasingly prominent role in teaching. Therefore, educators should consider purchasing audiobook versions to accompany all textbooks.
One major benefit of audiobooks is that they boost interest in reading, particularly at a time when this hobby is on the decline among young people.
A 2025 report by the United Kingdom’s National Literacy Trust found that audiobooks sparked interest in 42 per cent of the children surveyed, motivating them to read during their free time.
Audiobook versions of textbooks enhance accessibility for all students, including those with dyslexia, visual impairments, attention disorders and those who struggle with reading large blocks of text.
They also provide a valuable resource for students who face language barriers in the classroom, enabling engagement with the material in multiple formats.
A study conducted by researchers from Ireland and Namibia demonstrated how accessible media materials foster a sense of inclusion in the classroom.
The findings highlighted that audiobooks accommodate a diverse range of learners, improve language and reading comprehension and contribute to better overall school performance, attitude and motivation.
In addition to the sociological arguments, there is a strong scientific case for audiobooks. Neuroscience research shows that combining audio and visual information can improve comprehension and enhance memory retention. It can also support the internalisation of concepts, vocabulary and vocal registers, such as dialects.
This modern scientific research supports the idea of using audiobooks and textbooks together as complementary resources rather than seeing one as a substitute for the other.
While some may argue that buying audiobooks could strain budgets, making this proposal difficult for many schools, this should not overshadow the strong evidence supporting its use.
Ultimately, the education system is evolving, and educators should embrace expanding our resources as well.
Against: Ansley Au Tsz-ying, 17, King Ling College
In an era of rapid change and constant technological advancement, learning can take place anywhere and at any time. Audiobooks have gained popularity because they are modern, convenient and accessible.
However, when we examine them closely, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits. Audiobooks can diminish active reading and comprehension skills.
Engaging with a physical textbook or other reading material requires students to process and understand the text actively. They must interpret vocabulary and analyse sentence structures, all of which are essential skills for effective learning.
In contrast, listening passively to audiobooks does not strengthen these skills in the same way. Students may become overly reliant on audiobooks, which can weaken their self-discipline and independent learning abilities.
Audiobooks can be expensive and impractical. Many already face financial struggles with tuition fees and school expenses. Buying audiobook versions of all their textbooks would impose a financial burden.
What happens when the curriculum changes or sources need to be updated? The money that schools have spent on audiobooks could be allocated to funding libraries or refurbishing classrooms.
Audiobooks necessitate a quiet environment for students to concentrate and absorb information. Unlike textbooks, which are always silent and more reliable, audiobooks require additional equipment such as headphones, smartphones and sometimes even an internet connection. Students from less privileged backgrounds may not be able to afford the equipment.
Some may argue that audiobooks are beneficial for students with learning disabilities. However, this does not mean that schools should purchase audiobook versions of every single textbook for all of their students. Resources can be allocated more effectively by providing special support to students who truly need it.
While audiobooks can serve as a supplementary tool for education, requiring them to accompany textbooks can be costly, unreliable, and ultimately harmful to school reading culture.
