Short answer
There is no single answer for every learner. In S06E08, Em argues that adult learners should have a choice, while Gav expects learners who want results to make time for practice. Their disagreement points to a useful first step: agree what homework is for and what feels realistic.
A short listening task, review activity or optional practice may fit one learner’s routine, while a long written task may not. Ask learners what they can manage and revisit the arrangement when their schedule changes.
Try this in your next lesson
Ask one adult learner to choose between a five-minute review, a short recording and an optional listening task. Agree when you will discuss it.
👇 Scroll down for our practical checklist or activity and download.
Listen to the whole S06E08 discussion in our podcast episode guide here🔊.
Agree the purpose
Homework can extend a lesson, help learners revisit useful language or prepare them for the next class. Explain the purpose so the task feels connected to their goal rather than like extra work with no clear reason.
Fit the task to the learner
An adult learner may study around work, family or travel. A short podcast or a focused review might be more practical than a long writing task. If the course has a required syllabus or assessment, explain those expectations clearly and plan together.
Check what happened
Ask whether learners received the task, had time to do it and found it useful. A missed assignment can tell you something about the task or their routine. Discuss the next step without assuming every learner has the same motivation or free time.
Keep the disagreement useful
We come at this differently in the recording. Gav expects practice from learners who want progress; Em points out that holidays can remove the routine that normally makes homework possible. Neither point tells us what an individual learner can manage this week. Ask before deciding that a missed task means a lack of interest.
Our suggested follow-up is to offer one small task with a clear return point. For example, ask the learner to record three sentences using language from today and bring one question next time. If the recording never arrives, ask whether the difficulty was time, instructions or the language itself. Change that part of the arrangement before adding more work.
Our suggested classroom adaptation of the episode discussion.
Gav and Em suggest: agree the homework relationship
- ☐ Ask whether the learner wants homework and what they can realistically manage.
- ☐ Keep the task clearly connected to the lesson.
- ☐ Offer a shorter option when time is limited.
- ☐ Check whether the task was actually useful, not only whether it was completed.
- ☐ Review the arrangement if homework is repeatedly skipped.
📥 Download the free teacher practice card (PDF)
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