Homework: awards vs. punishments

Most students associate this word with adjectives like: unpleasant, duty, boring, etc. Most of them just do not want to do homework simply because they feel it is a waste of time. However, without practice outside the class, they will have little or even no improvement of their English skills. Your role would be to make them practice without demanding that they are doing a chore. You can easily accomplish that by completely placing the responsibility on them for their own learning. When you give homework, let them know what your expectations will be next time and also ask them what their own expectations are. “What do you expect to learn by reading this article?” “What new do you think you will be able to show me next time?” Questions like that will provide the needed anticipation in your students because they will have a better idea what the outcome should be. They know you know what the outcome should be, and they are aware that you also know that they know what they should achieve. The more you make it clear that they need to see the benefits of the practice, the more responsible they will feel.

Naturally, there are two outcomes of this strategy: they either complete their homework, or they do not. It is you who should decide what the consequences will be. Once again, your knowledge of your student’s personality will help you make the right decision. In other words, different consequences may work in a different way with different students, or they may not work at all. It is up to you to decide what measures to take. In case they do not complete the homework, you may either give them a “punishment” extra homework or you can simply say that they have not completed their side of the relationship by preventing you to do your job and it may lead to change of teaching methodology, or even cancelling a class with the student without reimbursement. Again, your decision will depend on your student’s personality. A simple light conversation in a friendly manner may fix the problem, although in other cases you may need to be firmer and gain the needed respect from your student with more severe consequences.

In case they do complete the tasks, award them. Pay compliments, say “thank you” and “good job”. Correct their homework in a friendly manner and let them know that completing the homework is a huge part of their success in the learning process. On the other hand, be cautious to not “over reward” them. Be positive about their work but also make it clear that it is common sense that they should complete it. They are expected to work and doing it does not make them superheroes.

Try to find the balance in everything you do with your students but most importantly let them be responsible for their own learning.