STUDENTS’ WORK

1. CLASSWORK
2. HOMEWORK
 OBJECTIVES
• To assess the main contributions to learning
of both: classroom work and homework
• To become aware of suitable ways of
organizing students’ work
• To evaluate the importance of giving guidance
when assigning homework
• To become acquainted with the procedures
for giving guidance for homework
 CLASS WORK
• WHY DO WE ORGANIZE IT?
– 1. It helps us to accomplish the main goal of
teaching:

• Active construction of knowledge

• Risk-taking and testing hypotheses
• Providing exposure to different input sources
• Teachers can get feedback from students and
make decisions accordingly
 CLASS WORK
• WHY DO WE ORGANIZE IT?

– 2. It keeps the class moving (+ dynamic)

– 3. It provides variety for the lesson
– 4. It makes the class more learner-centred
– 5. It is a safe previous preparation for homework
 CLASS WORK
• How do we organize classroom work?

– Learning takes place not only in action but also in

interaction (different interaction patterns must be
taken into account)
– Certain activities are better accomplished with
certain interaction patterns
– Integration of different interaction patterns is
important
 CLASS WORK
What would be suitable interaction patterns for
the following activities?:
grammar exercises
project work
information gap activities
debates
silent reading
discussions
writing assignments
 HOMEWORK
• Why do we assign homework?
– Points in common with classroom work
– Further reasons:
• 1. To increase the frequency of contact with the
language
• 2. To allow students to work at their own pace (time is
important for reflecting upon the language and
consolidating learning)
• 3. To enhance the student’s autonomy/independence
in the use of the language
 HOMEWORK
• Pre-requisites for homework

– 1. Validity of tasks in terms of the aims

– 2. Meaningfulness
– 3. Motivation
– 4. Guidance
 GUIDANCE
• It can be accomplished by different
procedures:
– Clear instructions
– Examples
– Reference materials
– Solving students’ doubts
 GUIDANCE
• There are different degrees of guidance:

– Controlled
– Cued
– Guided
– Free
 GUIDANCE
• Why is guidance important?:
– To build student’s confidence
– To limit the scope for error
– To ensure the use of certain forms
– To give hints on meaning and context