Writing Feedback / IELTS Writing Task 2 - Discussion Essay - Homework effectiveness [3]

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.

home tasks from school and their effects on children

People have different views about the effectiveness of homework in children's educational developments. While some may argue that this is a waste of time and ineffectiveness, I tend to believe that homework do more good than harm.

There are a variety of reasons why some people argue against giving more home exercises to school pupils. Firstly, homework does not improve or enhance children's performance at school. Many institutions have seen no apparent changes as regard to educational outcomes. Taking Finland achievements in education as an example, it is true that this nation is applying no homework programme, the secret behind the success of Finland's school system, which makes them become the most prestigious choice of studying overseas. Secondly, school-time nowadays is extremely long-lasting, which sometimes lead to fatigue, poor performance and even bad behaviour at school. Finally, leisure time and hanging out with school peers is equally as beneficial for students' development as the time spending in classes.

Despite of the arguments mentioned above, I would argue that a specific amount of homework is obviously essential. The main reason is that children can develop and progress entirely at their own pace while solving and handling with schoolwork given to them. This can also be beneficial in terms of applying important knowledge and skills taught in morning lessons. For example, maths definitely encourages school students to improve solving problem ability which can be employed later in the adult life. Having such vital skills on school leavers' CV can definitely impress many university admission officers or business employers.

In conclusion, while there are some disadvantages of doing a large amount of exercises at home, it is my firm belief that children can benefit better and fully develop when solving these home tasks.

(290 words)

Writing Feedback / The pie chart below shows the main reasons why students chose to study at a particular UK university [2]

reasons to attend a British university

The two pie charts compare students' responses to a survey about fundamental reasons to go to a specific university in the UK in the years 1987 and 2007.

It is clear that university course fitness was the most important concern in both years. While distance to parents' house was the least concerned in 1987, it had become the second most important reason to study at a UK college by 2007

In 1987, 35% of students choosing a particular UK university rated suitable degree courses as their number-one-worry, which was considerably higher than the percentages of the two second most common concerns, quality of studying resources and provision of sport and social activities, 21% and 19% respectively. The quality of educational teaching came next at 15%, while just 10% of students who went to a UK tertiary education worried about the closeness to their parents' house.

By 2007, the amount of students concerning university course suitability rose slightly by 2% to 37%. In contrast, the worries related to supporting for sport and other social activities saw a dramatic decrease to a mere 6%. There was a growing concern for the proximity to parental home with the figure reaching 22%, whereas the quality of available resources fell slightly by 3% and the teaching quality saw a small rise.

(215 words)

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