Topic: Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by their teachers, whereas others argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

Model answer

People’s opinions differ as to whether or not school children should be given homework. While there are some strong arguments against the setting of homework, I still believe that it is a necessary aspect of education.

There are several reasons why people might argue that homework is an unnecessary burden on children. Firstly, there is evidence to support the idea that homework does nothing to improve educational outcomes. Countries such as Finland, where school children are not given homework, regularly top international educational league tables and outperform nations where setting homework is the norm. Secondly, many parents would agree that the school day is already long enough, and leaves their children too tired to do further study when they return home. Finally, it is recognised that play time is just as beneficial as study time from the perspective of brain development.

In spite of the above arguments, I support the view that homework has an important role to play in the schooling of children. The main benefit of homework is that it encourages independent learning and problem solving, as children are challenged to work through tasks alone and at their own pace. In doing so, students must apply the knowledge that they have learnt in the classroom. For example, by doing mathematics exercises at home, students consolidate their understanding of the concepts taught by their teacher at school. In my view, it is important for children to develop an independent study habit because this prepares them to work alone as adults.

In conclusion, homework certainly has its drawbacks, but I believe that the benefits outweigh them in the long term.

PHÂN TÍCH TỪ VỰNG:

-  Necessary aspect of education: một khía cạnh cần thiết của giáo dục.

-  International educational league tables:  bảng xếp hạng giáo dục quốc tế hàng đầu

-  Improve educational outcomes: làm cải thiện kết quả giáo dục.

-  Outperform: thể hiện tốt

-  The norm: điều tất yếu, quan trọng

-  Brain development: sự phát triển não bộ.

-  The schooling of children: việc học của trẻ

-  Consolidate: củng cố

-  Independent study habit: thói quen tự học