Job Discussion Forums

[gaijinalways]

Some of these comments have given me grounds for deeper contemplation. Curently, I have homework as 33% of students's grades, and I mark it (or check it), but I am considering not assigning as much and instead relying on more in class assessments.

Why?

Well, in my case, some 13/19 of my classes are primarily oral focused.

Where do students get the most chance to speak?

Well primarily in their English classes, for most of them.

So I am considering lowering the % for homework to a lesser amount, perhaps like 10% or so. Of course, I could also combine the homework/and classwork grades, something I do somewhat already (some of the homework is started in class, hence it's half classwork, half homework).

As to deadlines, yes, I follow Glenski's line of thought and require students to get homework assignments form other class members.

[cmp45]

I agree Oral classes are a different game.

It is very difficult to assign homework for oral classes as stated....the students basically get the majority of their practice in class.... Where I teach there is no homework assigned for oral classes!

Oral is practiced 100% inclass as well as testing. However emphasis is on partcipation. I do encourage that they practice what they have learned at home when ever they can. I also give them exercises to practice at home, and then we go through it in class. One can generally tell if they have been practicing at home.

As for reading, writing and grammar courses- homework is an essential part of the learning process. The home work gives a student an opprotunity to learn what they did in class. It also helps them to take 'some' responsibility in their own learning.

Also I agree that too much homework can be non-productive as too little...
therefore it is good to strike a balance and hopefully the right amount will help not hinder a student's learning.

[arioch36]

i give oral english homework for maybe the first five weeks of class for a couple of reasons.
One of my goals is to teach them to use "new" words when the talk to each other
and to use longer sentences when they talk to each other
and to practice follow up questions when they talk to each other

The few best can do this fairly easy. I think I have found that having all of the students write a dialogue allows them to try it for themself in an environment that has less pressure and gives them more time to figure out how to make longer sentences using new words (new words, word they may know but rarely use, or truly new words they are studying from another class or self study)

Then when they come to class, it is something they feel they can do.. it starts becoming a habit. So by week 6, when a student says "yes" (an answer I never allow in oral english) all I have to do is roll my eyes, and the other students will say, "longer sentence! New Words!" i want this neural habit embedded firmly. then everything becomes easier.
Best way to practice grammar? Longer sentences!

But giving too much homework is problematical. I ask my students how much time they are spending, and ask myself how much time i a m spending on homework.
if I am spending every evening correcting homwework, then that is too much homework! That's my balance

I also grade oral homework almost purely on effort. They are truly delighted when I make corrections on their papers though many of their teachers never bother

[cmp45]

[gaijinalways]

[arioch36]

[Jetgirly]

I teach wealthy, entitled teenagers in Mexico. Really, what I do doesn't matter much because ultimately they get whatever mark they want by begging administration, but I still try to help them along on the road to maturity.