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May 02, 2005
Do You Do Homework?
Hello everyone!
Today I'd like to talk about homework. This can be a touchy subject for some because people tend to either love it or hate it! But there is one thing that I know: students who are willing to do homework simply learn faster. But--at least in the area that I teach--not many of them are willing to do it. In fact, the one thing that I have learned is that if I assign homework, I can count on at least half of the students not showing up for the next class!
But really, how can anyone expect to learn another language by coming to class two times a week, and doing nothing in between?
I have tried to explain the importance of homework. I have made the assignments easy. I have given them longer periods of time to complete them. I have even tried the reward system.
But still--nine out of ten students simply won't do it.
I try to put myself in their shoes. Most of my students are busy professionals with families, and so I know that their time is limited. But they are paying to learn English, and it seems silly to me that they would invest two days a week (plus the cost of the class), and then not be willing to do something as basic and important as homework.
Do you have the same problem? I'm beginning to wonder if this is a cultural thing in Mexico. Does anyone else teach in Mexico, and if so, are you experiencing the same problem?
Has anyone overcome this problem? If so, I'd love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at May 2, 2005 01:10 PM
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Comments
Homework should be the same work they've been doing in class and should be used to determine if the student has understood the work. What the student needs, is more practice and this too, is where the homework comes in.
Too often, the teacher assigns new work for the student to do on his own, which means he has to spend all his spare time in the library, to complete the assignment. Hence the reason why it doesn't get done.
The student is not paying money for the teacher to give him assignments, but for the teacher to actually teach them in the class. The homework is simply an extension of the classwork and should not be new work.
I have not had any experience with students in Mexico.
Posted by: Kenneth at May 2, 2005 10:22 PM
I taught ESL in Mexico and most of my students did do their homework. The exceptions were the adults who are working two jobs to take care of their family and pay for English classes. You can only do the best you can to reach as many as you can. I feel bad about the two students who did not pass my final exam but I know they still received a lot from the classes they attended. Perhaps their progress will be slower but it is their money and they are paying for it. If they are a turtle and the others are hares, who is to say who will end up at the finish line. There are a lot more important thing to do in life than homework in Mexico. Visiting 376 relatives is a higher priority than learning English in Mexico and in my humble opinion, that is the way it should be.
Mi familia es mi vida,
Rudenski
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