i find that this does generally happen, i mean the standard english classes in my school are hugely disadvantaged, basically they go through the whole year writing nothing but 4 paragraph essays, it is true that some of these students don't want to learn but there are those that do and they are...
if you like the axis trilogy and the wayfarer redemption you really have to read the sword of truth series by terry goodkind..its really long..but trust me it's worth it