After a long day at school, students may take a short rest when they get home. Then, they open up their books again to do their homework. This is the reality for primary and secondary school students in most countries. 

There are several theories as to how homework came about. Some historians say that the invention of homework goes back to ancient Rome. Pliny the Younger, an oratory teacher, was supposedly the first to give specific assignments to his pupils after a lesson. They were asked to go home and practice public speaking. 

Many historians, however, say that modern homework was created more recently in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th century. Some give credit to an Italian teacher named Roberto Nevilis, who handed out assignments to do at home as punishment to his students. 

The concept of homework soon spread throughout Europe and eventually found its way to the United States. That said, it was not universally accepted in the beginning. Some educators and even medical professionals believed homework to be unhealthy for children. The state government of California even briefly banned homework early on. 

By mid-20th century, however, homework had become a daily activity in the lives of most students in developed nations. Educators no longer saw homework to be a means to punish children. Rather, they said it was an effective way to personalize learning and keep students competitive. 

Nowadays, there are mixed opinions on the value of homework. The majority of educators still see it as being beneficial to students. On the other hand, there are also a growing number of critics who say students are asked to do too much at home.

For Discussion: When do you find homework to be most useful? 

take a rest 휴식하다 / primary 초등교육의 / secondary school 중등학교 / theory 이론, 설 / come about 생기다, 발생하다 /  invention 발명, 고안 / ancient 고대의 / oratory 웅변술 / supposedly 아마 / specific 구체적인, 특정한 / pupil 학생, 제자 / public speaking 연설 / give credit 공로를 인정하다 / hand out an assignment 숙제를 내주다 / punishment 벌, 처벌 / universally 보편적으로, 어디에서나 / ban 금지하다 / developed nation 선진국 / means 수단 / personalize (개인의 필요에) 맞추다 / competitive 경쟁력 있는 / mixed opinion 엇갈린 의견

▪ Talk!! Talk!!

1. What are your thoughts about the article?

2. When do you find homework to be most useful?

3. What homework do you usually do? How long does it take to finish them?

4. Do you interrupt your study activities or do all the homework at one sitting?

5. Would you like your teacher to give you more or less homework? Why?

After a long day at school, students may take a short rest when they get home. Then, they open up their books again to do their homework. This is the reality for primary and secondary school students in most countries. 

There are several theories as to how homework came about. Some historians say that the invention of homework goes back to ancient Rome. Pliny the Younger, an oratory teacher, was supposedly the first to give specific assignments to his pupils after a lesson. They were asked to go home and practice public speaking. 

Many historians, however, say that modern homework was created more recently in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th century. Some give credit to an Italian teacher named Roberto Nevilis, who handed out assignments to do at home as punishment to his students. 

The concept of homework soon spread throughout Europe and eventually found its way to the United States. That said, it was not universally accepted in the beginning. Some educators and even medical professionals believed homework to be unhealthy for children. The state government of California even briefly banned homework early on. 

By mid-20th century, however, homework had become a daily activity in the lives of most students in developed nations. Educators no longer saw homework to be a means to punish children. Rather, they said it was an effective way to personalize learning and keep students competitive. 

Nowadays, there are mixed opinions on the value of homework. The majority of educators still see it as being beneficial to students. On the other hand, there are also a growing number of critics who say students are asked to do too much at home.

For Discussion: When do you find homework to be most useful? 

take a rest 휴식하다 / primary 초등교육의 / secondary school 중등학교 / theory 이론, 설 / come about 생기다, 발생하다 /  invention 발명, 고안 / ancient 고대의 / oratory 웅변술 / supposedly 아마 / specific 구체적인, 특정한 / pupil 학생, 제자 / public speaking 연설 / give credit 공로를 인정하다 / hand out an assignment 숙제를 내주다 / punishment 벌, 처벌 / universally 보편적으로, 어디에서나 / ban 금지하다 / developed nation 선진국 / means 수단 / personalize (개인의 필요에) 맞추다 / competitive 경쟁력 있는 / mixed opinion 엇갈린 의견

▪ Talk!! Talk!!

1. What are your thoughts about the article?

2. When do you find homework to be most useful?

3. What homework do you usually do? How long does it take to finish them?

4. Do you interrupt your study activities or do all the homework at one sitting?

5. Would you like your teacher to give you more or less homework? Why?