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 Students wasting away their time 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	Making sure of the key points Deeper understanding of the material Acquiring long-term memories by repetition	Critical thinking and proactive learning Better comprehension and memory More time for other beneficial 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 because anything mandatory tends to decrease motivation, while high school students are often yet to know what to learn and how to learn it.

【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’ intellectual development more significantly than homework assignment such as watching good movies and visiting museums.

【Counterargument-treatment】On the other hand, homework assignments work as a guideline for studies. Students will appreciate advice on how to prepare for the class, what to focus on, and what to review after the class, especially on subjects that they are not good at.

【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.

 (208 words)

 

 

☆Sample Response Plans

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

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

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

【Your Idea】Most high school Students learn better under full 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.

【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