However, there are all sorts of ways to add variety to homework which will add motivation. For example, the students could prepare a PowerPoint presentation on the topic of the previous lesson and deliver it in the next lesson. By making use of technology, you can make homework involve speaking and listening as well as reading and writing. The students could record themselves speaking for homework and bring the recording to you in the next lesson. You could then listen and record your feedback. 7. Research project For extended project work, students often need to carry out some research online. This part of the project work can be done at home. The students then bring their findings to the next lesson. 8. Co-operative homework Encourage your students to do their homework with a partner or in groups. Some students find it very helpful to work with a friend. You could even encourage interactive homework by setting communicative writing tasks that require the students to text or email each other. Afterwards, they can print out their communication and give you a copy. 9. Timing Give your students a rough idea of how much time to spend on their homework. For example, tell them it should take around 45 minutes. If they spend more time than that, encourage them to stop working and write a sentence at the end explaining that they ran out of time. This is useful for two reasons: first, it means that slower students don’t feel penalised and second, it gives you useful information about what each student is able to manage in the time set. 10. Marking homework A lot of homework includes exercises with right or wrong answers, and in this case, the students can often mark their own work. However, if for example, you set a piece of writing for homework, it’s a good idea to tell the students in advance how you intend to mark it. For example, you could give them a list of your marking criteria, which will act as a guide to your expectations.
“My best teaching moment was giving each student a bound copy of their class magazine compiled on the course. They were really happy.” Jenny, summer school teacher
Unit 17