Unit 16 – My Opinion on Homework
Warm-up and Vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
Learning and Study Skills
- Reinforce: To make something stronger.
- Beneficial: Having a helpful or useful effect
- Time Management: The skill of using your time wisely and effectively.
- Independent Learning: A method of learning where students have control over their own pace and process.
- Effective: Producing the result that is wanted or intended.
- Review: To study something again to refresh your memory.
Workload and Stress
- Workload: The amount of work that a person has to do.
- Burnout: The state of being extremely tired or unwell because of working too hard.
- Effective: Producing the result that is wanted or intended.
- Review: To study something again to refresh your memory.
Interactive Activity: Homework Word Cloud
Speaking with Confidence: Structuring Your Opinion
Let’s review the structure for the TOEFL Independent Speaking task. Your goal is to give a clear opinion and support it well in just 45 seconds. The best way to do this is by using the simple S-R-E-C structure.
- S – State Your Opinion: Begin by directly answering the question.
- R – Give a Reason: Provide one main reason that supports your opinion.
- E – Give an Example: Give one specific, personal example that illustrates your reason.
- C – Conclude: Briefly wrap up your thought.
Review Example: School Uniforms
Let’s look at a new example to see the structure in action.
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Question: “Do you believe students should be required to wear school uniforms? Explain your choice.”
Model Spoken Response (45 seconds):
(S) In my opinion, I believe students should be required to wear school uniforms. (R) The main reason is that uniforms help to create a more equal and focused learning environment. When all students are dressed the same, there is less pressure to have expensive, fashionable clothes, which reduces distractions and bullying. (E) For example, at my old middle school, we didn’t have uniforms, and students were often more focused on what their friends were wearing than on the lesson. My current school requires uniforms, and I find the atmosphere is much more focused on academics. (C) Therefore, I think uniforms are beneficial for schools.
This structure is simple, logical, and makes your answer easy for the scorer to follow.
Tips for Success
As you prepare for the final evaluation, remember these key tips:
- Personal Examples are Best: The easiest and most effective way to support your reason is with a short story or example from your own life (“For example, last week…”, “At my school…”). It makes your answer unique and specific.
- Use “Signpost” Words: Guide your listener through your answer. Start your reason with “The main reason is…” and your example with “For example…“. This makes your structure very clear.
- Practice with a Timer: The biggest challenge is the time limit. Practice this unit’s evaluation task two or three times with a 45-second timer on your phone. Get used to how quickly the time passes.
Skill Practice
Let’s practice the concepts and vocabulary.
A. Multiple-Choice Questions
Choose the best answer for each question.
B. Fill in the Blanks
C. Crossword Puzzle
D. Word Search
E. Video Practice
In this powerful TED Talk, a 6th-grade student named Mikel explains his concerns about homework overload. Your mission is to act as Mikel’s school principal. After watching his speech, you need to record a 30-second official response to his points. You can either agree with him and propose one change the school will consider, or respectfully disagree and explain the school’s reason for the current homework policy.