Setting Homework

Generally try to refer to homework as a "post-task" activity.  It might sound a little pretentious but is much friendlier than the word homework with all its negative connotations!

When setting the SimplyQuest^TM   make sure your students understand that they only have to do one of the activities on the sheet.  

As much as possible, stress that they have the option to do the work in the way they choose to - the activity is for the language learner's benefit, not the teacher's!   Be clear regarding your own expectations however, if you have them - if you want written work tell them so.  Generally mention that you would like to hear the vocabulary (as per their Conversation Control sheets) repeated.

Set a reasonable deadline. 

Praise the work no matter if it took five minutes or five hours - the point is that they learn and that they put their English to use.

Initially your students might feel a little overwhelmed especially if they're not computer proficient - they don't have to use the internet, if they have a set of encyclopedia's at home, this is fine.  

In my classes, once my students have seen the quests and done one or two beforehand, they begin to really step up to the task and I have been honoured to go through the most outstanding powerpoint presentations and thoroughly written reports.

Top Tip!

When you download your SimplyConversations^TM set, if you have the right .pdf software i.e. Adobe Professional, you can save the SimplyQuest^TM as a separate page which you can use to send as an email to your students.

If you do this, the students will be able to access the suggested internet addresses on the sheet by simply CTRL+ clicking on the relevant site.  

Note, however, that many companies do not allow their employees to open up unauthorized documents so make sure to discuss this option with your class before sending it to them.  Obviously while Kalinago English has made every effort to protect the documents from computer viruses, it accepts no liability whatsoever if damage occurs during this process.