Discussion Studio: Discussion: Homework in Primary School
Foundation · about 10 minutes · at least 100 words. State your position and engage a classmate by name.
The discussion
Professor: There is an ongoing debate about whether young children in primary school should be given homework. Some educators say homework teaches discipline and helps children review what they learned. Others believe young children learn better through play and reading, and that homework creates unnecessary stress. What is your view?
Hannah: I do not think young children need homework. Research shows that homework has almost no effect on achievement in primary school. Children already spend six hours a day in class; after school they should play, read for fun, and spend time with their families instead of doing worksheets.
Omar: I believe some homework is necessary. It teaches children responsibility and helps parents see what their child is learning. If children have no homework at all, they may develop lazy habits and fall behind when homework becomes serious in later grades.
Your task: In your response, give your opinion about homework in primary school. Engage with at least one student's argument and support your position.
0 words · target ≈ 120-150 words
Model contribution & full-answer points — after writing
I side with Hannah: homework in primary school should be very limited. The research she mentions matches what I have seen as an older brother. My younger sister, who is nine, sometimes spends two hours on worksheets after a full day at school, and she is too tired to read for pleasure or play outside, activities that also help children develop. Short reading practice is fine, but long assignments mostly create stress for the whole family.
Omar worries about falling behind, but that risk belongs mainly to older students preparing for examinations. For young children, countries such as Finland assign very little homework and still achieve excellent results. Good teaching during school hours matters far more than extra worksheets at home.
A full answer must
- State a clear position on homework for young children
- Engage with a named student's argument, including the research or results point
- Use a personal or observed example to support your view
- Limit your claim to primary school rather than all students
- Address the other side's worry instead of ignoring it
Self-evaluation checklist — the 10-point review
Automated checks on this page (length, variety, linking words) are practice feedback only — not an official TOEFL score.