5 More Creative ESL Homework Ideas

Feeling stuck with homework assignments? Trying to figure out some new activities to keep your ESL students engaged? Me too. This semester, I have all-new lessons, and since it’s my third semester with these students, I’m trying to keep lessons as fresh and creative as possible. And I want to push my students a little bit more as well. Here are five more creative ESL homework ideas!

1) Pros and Cons Lists

            I love me a good pros and cons list. The reason I love pros and cons lists is that it pushes students to think deeper on a topic, and challenges them to consider different perspectives. Actually, I use these in my lessons all the time as a warm-up activity. But I also love using them as homework assignments as well, and they work great as both pre- or post-lesson homework assignments. For example, if I know there is a particularly difficult or deep topic for next week, I’ll assign a pre-lesson homework activity; that way, students will walk into class next week already having thought about the topic. Post-lesson homework assignments work great for helping students practice what they learned and reinforce ideas and vocabulary. Have your students write out the pros and cons of learning another language, of moving to another country, of getting married young, or of changing their jobs often. You can write a pros and cons list for basically any topic, so you can use this one anytime!

2) Change Your Life

            If your students are feeling overwhelmed with their studies or maybe they’ve gotten caught up in a “When are we ever going to use this” mentality, then it might be time to pull out a “Change your life” assignment. This assignment helps students get their heads of out textbooks and look around at real-life situations. For environmentalism, “What small changes can you make in your daily life to help save the environment?” For finance, “What can you do each week to save a little money?” For health, “What healthy habit can you implement into your life to be a little healthier?” It’s super personal, and who knows, maybe it will end up being an assignment that actually has a positive influence on their daily lives!

3) In Your Opinion . . .

            I really like asking questions that start with, “In your opinion.” My students sometimes struggle with sharing their own personal ideas, and it’s a great way to push them to use their voices. During a class about technology or inventions, I always ask, “In your opinion, what is the greatest invention?” Answers range from cell phones to paper to air conditioning to planes to milk tea. The results are always fascinating, and students really seem to enjoy stating their personal opinion and backing it up. ESL students can often struggle with holding themselves back because they don’t want to make a mistake, but what I love about this assignment is that there are no right answers. Is milk tea the most important invention? Objectively, probably not. But you’re having fun with the assignment! Tell me why you think milk tea is so essential for our society. Please. On second thought, milk tea is pretty essential. Hm.

4) Share a Time When . . .

            This is one of the more challenging homework assignments, since it will push students to not just create lists or answer questions, but will ask students to write out a chronological story. In our daily lives though, we tell stories all the time. What did we do this weekend? What happened at work today? Why weren’t you able to finish that project your boss assigned on time? Since storytelling isn’t exactly a favorite topic in textbooks, having it as a homework assignment works well to supplement their learning. “Share a time when you overcame a difficulty.” “Share a time when you argued with a friend.” “Share a time when you regretted a decision.” 

            If you’re worried about giving too large of a homework assignment, you can always add a qualifier. For example, “Write five sentences about a time when…” That will give students a better idea of how much you are expecting them to write and share. 

5) Predictions

            As much as I can, I try to use assignments or activities that will help develop my students’ creativity and critical thinking skills. Asking students to share their opinions about what the world will be like in the future is a great way to do this. If your topic is technology, ask students to predict what invention or app will be used in the future. For jobs, ask what careers might become extinct or might end up being in high-demand. If you have a business class, have students predict what companies will become more or less successful in the future. If we don’t prioritize protecting our environment, what will the world look like in fifty years? Honestly, prediction homework could work for just about any topic. What will fashion be like in the future? What will schools look like in the future? Dating? Shopping? 

Try these out in your own classroom, adapt them for your topics, and see how much more interesting your classes become!