Homework policies

Schools are encouraged to assign quality homework to provide language practice in meaningful contexts, instead of meaningless mechanical drills.

Schools and teachers make effective use of homework to extend and consolidate students’ learning outside classroom, and help students deepen their understanding and construct knowledge. Formulating a school homework policy helps to achieve the following:

• It not only consolidates classroom learning but also prepares students for new learning and facilitates self-learning.
• It helps students understand their own progress and problems, and provides them with opportunities to learn to solve problems.
• It helps teachers identify students’ learning problems and adjust the teaching plans and strategies in order to provide timely feedback to students and enhance their learning effectiveness.
• It provides information on the knowledge students have acquired and the skills, attitudes and values they have developed. It gives effective feedback on the planning and implementation of the curriculum.
• Parents can understand their children’s progress and learning styles so as to provide timely support for their children.
• Parents can understand the requirements of the school curriculum so that parents and schools can work together to help students improve their learning.

Setting Meaningful Homework

In setting meaningful homework, the followings will be taken into account:

• Well-defined goals
• Strengthening reading
• Diversification
  - Different types and formats of homework
  - Interesting and challenging tasks
• Thinking and collaboration skills
• Relevance to daily life
• Using learning resources
• Flexibility and tailor-made materials
• Meaningful and appropriate amount of recitation
• Adjustment in learning progress
• Quality rather than quantity