Writing for an Academic Discussion Less homework for high school students or not? - revised -

Should the volume of homework assigned to high schools be scaled back?

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        Natalie says that too much homework will affect high school students’ mental health negatively, and that it will lead to less motivation to learn. Have you ever had the same experience?

 

2.        Aaron is concerned that less homework will cause inadequate acquisition of what is necessary to pass entrance examinations of university or to find a job. Do you think it is possible? Why?

 

 

☆Hints for Point

Point-by-point brainstorming on this question

	Not less homework	Less homework
Current amount	Not enough homework Many students hanging out after school	Already too much homework Cram schools for entrance examinations
Motivation	As the saying goes, practice makes it perfect. High school students need pressure to study.	All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Rest is necessary for effective learning.
Effects	Deeper understanding of the material Making sure of the key points Acquiring long-term memories by repetition	Studying in their own way,  following their own interests More time for other activities
Other points	Some classes require preparation and practice. Homework helps acquire good work ethic	Causes of bad grades should be identified. Whole curriculum must be worked on.

 

 

☆Response for Ideas and Expressions

【Thesis】I partly agree with reducing homework mainly because anything mandatory tends to cause decrease in motivation while high school students are often yet to know how to learn.

【Supporting Details】To keep students’ interest in subjects high, school should respect students’ autonomy. Just as university education is not compulsory and has little homework, so high school education is not compulsory and should assign little homework. Left free to pursue their own academic interests, students will genuinely be able to work on their studies. Also, as Natalie points out, undue burden of homework can negatively affect precious years of high school life. There are many experiences that cannot be missed during high school years that will help students’ including intellectual development more significantly than homework assignment.

【Counterargument-treatment】On the other hand, many high school students are yet to know what to lean and how to learn it in some subjects, especially ones they are not good at. In these cases, they will appreciate it if there is advice on how to prepare for the class and what to review after the class. 【Conclusion】Perhaps, less homework in general with an option to request assignment depending on the subject or the class would be a better policy, which can maximize the motivation and learning.

 (211 words)

 

 

☆Sample Response Plans

A         【Thesis】I don’t think high school should scale back the amount of homework.

【Good Points of Homework】Students can preview and review more efficiently.

【Bad Points of Homework】More homework means less autonomy.

【Your Idea】Most high school Students learn better under intense coaching because they

hardly know exactly what is important in studies.

【Conclusion】As long as it is not too much, homework will help high school students learn effectively.

B         【Thesis】It is tempting to assign much homework for better achievement, but less is more applies in studies, too

【Supporting Detail】A large quantity doesn’t always lead to better results.

【Counterargument-treatment】Test scores have dropped since the curriculum was relaxed in my country, but Sweden has higher scores without homework. The cause of bad grades should be identified before blaming less homework.

【Conclusion】Attention must be paid not to the quantity but to the quality of the class.

 

Write your draft on this topic. Show each other your responses. Write down questions or suggestions to each other’s response.

 

 

                                                 DRAFT