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School Series · Lesson 3B of 5

Teacher's Lesson Plan

Lesson Overview

Topic

Is School Working? A critical look at modern education from three angles: the homework debate, exam pressure and well-being, and the Finnish model. The lesson does not deliver a verdict — it presents evidence and asks students to think. The central pedagogical point about homework (that language practice is skill-building, not obligation) emerges from the debate, not from a teacher's declaration. Companion lesson to 3A at B1–B2 level.

Series

School Series · Lesson 3B of 5 · B1–B2 · companion to Lesson 3A (A1–A2)

Level

B1–B2

Duration

90 minutes

Grammar ★

★ G1 Present Perfect — for research findings and changes over time · G2 Passive Voice — academic register, describing systems · G3 Should / Might / Must — recommendations and opinions

Vocabulary

12 words (B1–B2): pressure · curriculum · creativity · assess · achievement · well-being · evidence · reform · flexible · compulsory · encourage · method

Writing

100–120 words (B1–B2 standard). Three options including the homework distinction task.

Characters

Mia (returns from Lesson 1, now Year 8) and Jack (new character, sceptical about school reform) on a school podcast. Sam hosts.

Pedagogical Notes — The Homework Argument at B1–B2

The nuanced position for this level

At B1–B2, students can engage with a more sophisticated argument than the simple analogy used in Lesson 3A. The key distinction to draw:

Research says: Studies have shown that homework in academic subjects — maths, history, science — has mixed or limited benefits, especially for younger students. More homework does not automatically mean better results.

But language is different: English is a skill, not a subject. The research that questions homework is mostly about knowledge-based subjects. Language acquisition requires repeated exposure and active use. Every conversation, every film, every song in English is practice. This is not "homework" in the traditional sense — it is training time.

The argument students should arrive at: We should not do English practice because teachers tell us to. We should do it because every hour of exposure makes the language more automatic, more natural, more ours. The lesson does not tell students this — it leads them there through the debate and discussion tasks.

Board this at the end (after H5 Task C): "There is a difference between homework as obligation and practice as skill-building. Which one is English?"

Background — Finland and the Evidence

Key facts for the lesson

Finnish education — key facts:
· Finnish children do not start school until age 7 (vs age 5 in the UK, age 6 in many countries).
· Finland gives very little homework — sometimes none until secondary school.
· Finnish schools do not rank students or use standardised tests until age 16.
· Finland consistently scores near the top of the PISA rankings (international education assessment).
· Finnish students report higher well-being and lower stress than students in many other countries.

The homework debate — key findings:
· A 2006 study by Harris Cooper (Duke University) found that homework has little effect on primary school achievement and a modest effect for secondary students.
· The OECD found no relationship between the amount of homework and PISA scores across countries.
· However, independent reading and self-directed study in languages and arts show clear benefits.

Note on language learning specifically: The research that questions homework value generally applies to knowledge-based subjects. Language acquisition research (Krashen, Dörnyei) strongly supports the value of extensive exposure and autonomous practice outside the classroom.

Key Grammar — Teaching Notes

★ G1 — Present Perfect in academic/research context

At B1–B2, the Present Perfect is natural in the context of research and change:

Researchers have found that… · Schools have become more competitive. · Finland has shown that…
Studies have not proved that homework helps all students.
Has the education system changed? · How long have Finnish schools used this approach?

The key contrast at B1–B2: Present Perfect vs Past Simple
PP = relevant to now, ongoing relevance: "Researchers have shown that…"
PS = finished, specific time: "Finland introduced this system in the 1970s."

G2 — Passive Voice: academic register

The passive is natural for describing educational systems:
Students are tested constantly. · Homework is given every evening. · Creativity is not valued enough.
Children are encouraged to play. · Schools have been ranked by exam results.

Common error: ✗ "Students are test constantly." → ✓ "Students are tested." (to be + past participle)

G3 — Should / Might / Must: register distinction

Should = recommendation / opinion: "Schools should focus on well-being."
Must = strong obligation or logical necessity: "Students must have time to play."
Might = possibility, hedging: "Homework might help some students."
Shouldn't = negative recommendation: "Exams shouldn't be the only measure."

Lesson Procedure

Time

Stage

Skill

Teacher does

Students do

0–8 min

Lead-in

Speaking

Board: three questions — "Is school stressful? Does homework help? Should school be different?" Quick hands: who says yes / who says no. Board tally. Then: "Finland gets better exam results with less homework and less stress. How?" Build intrigue before vocabulary.

React to the three questions. Discuss briefly with partner.

8–18 min

Vocabulary

—

12 B1–B2 words. Part B: match word to definition. Part C: gap-fill in context.

Read vocabulary. Match. Gap-fill.

18–43 min

Grammar

—

★ Present Perfect — research context. G2 Passive — educational systems. G3 Should/Might/Must — recommendations. Exercises 1–6. Focus on Ex 4 (PP vs PS) and Ex 5 (transforming to passive).

Study cards. Exercises 1–6. Pair-check.

43–57 min

Reading

Article: "Why Finland's Students Do Better — And Feel Better." Three sections: homework debate / exam pressure / the Finnish model. Tasks 1–3. Underline all PP and passive forms.

Read. T/F/NG. Answer questions. Find grammar.

57–69 min

Listening

Mia and Jack debate homework and school reform on Sam's podcast. Read TWICE at B1–B2 pace. The twist: at the end, Sam asks about language homework specifically — Mia makes the distinction.

MCQ. Notes. Grammar hunt.

69–80 min

Speaking

Task A (for/against debate) / Task B (school reform proposals) / Task C (the homework distinction — board it here).

Debate. Propose reforms. Make the distinction.

80–90 min

Writing

100–120 words. Three options. G1 + G2 + G3 + 5 vocabulary words.

Write. Self-check.

Listening Script — 'School Talk Podcast: Is Homework Useful?'

Sam hosts. Mia (from Lesson 1, now Year 8) argues for school reform. Jack is sceptical. Read at a B1–B2 pace. Read twice. The key moment is at the end: Mia makes the distinction between homework in general and language practice specifically.

Sam:

Welcome back to School Talk. I'm Sam. Today Mia and Jack are here to discuss a big question: does homework actually help? Mia, you have some strong views on this.

Mia:

I do. Research has shown that in many subjects — maths, science, history — giving students hours of homework every night does not necessarily improve their results. Finnish schools have proved this. Their students do very well in international tests, and they have been given much less homework than students in other countries.

Jack:

But you can't just compare systems that easily. Finnish culture is different. The whole society values education differently. You can't just remove homework from British schools and expect the same results.

Mia:

That's fair. But the evidence has suggested that the quality of learning matters more than the quantity of work. Students are often given homework as a routine — not because it's been shown to help, but because it has always been done that way.

Jack:

I think some students need the structure. If homework is not set, many students won't study independently. Not everyone is self-motivated.

Mia:

That's true. But maybe schools should focus more on teaching students how to learn independently, rather than just assigning tasks. Students should be encouraged to find their own ways to engage with a subject.

Sam:

What about exam pressure? A lot of students feel that they are constantly being assessed. Is that a problem?

Jack:

Some pressure is necessary. It prepares students for real life. You can't just remove all competition. Employers look at results. Universities look at grades.

Mia:

I agree that some pressure is natural. But research has linked excessive exam pressure to anxiety, burnout and mental health problems in teenagers. Schools must take students' well-being seriously. Exam results and well-being don't have to be opposites.

Sam:

One more question. You both study languages. Is homework in language learning different from other subjects?

Mia:

Yes, completely. Language is a skill. You can't learn to speak English just from lessons. You have to use it — films, music, conversations, reading. That kind of practice outside school is not really "homework." It's training. It's more like what a musician does at home or what an athlete does in training. You do it because it makes you better, not because it has been assigned.

Jack:

Actually, I agree with that. I listen to podcasts in English every day. I don't think of it as homework.

Mia:

Exactly. And when you stop thinking of it as homework and start thinking of it as practice — that's when it gets easier.

Sam:

I think we can all agree on that. Thanks, Mia and Jack.

All 3 structures in the listening:
· ★ G1 Present Perfect: Research has shown / Finnish schools have proved / Their students have been given / The evidence has suggested / research has linked / homework is not set / it has always been done
· G2 Passive: Students are often given homework / it has been shown / homework is not set / tasks are assigned / students are constantly being assessed / it has always been done that way / it has been assigned
· G3 Should/Might/Must: schools should focus / Students should be encouraged / Schools must take / Exam results and well-being don't have to be opposites / schools should focus on teaching

Answer Key

Handout 1 — Vocabulary Part C

1. pressure 2. curriculum 3. assessed 4. well-being 5. evidence 6. compulsory 7. reform 8. creativity 9. achievement 10. flexible 11. encourage 12. method

Handout 2 — Grammar

Ex 1 (PP form): 1. have shown 2. has changed 3. have not proved / haven't proved 4. has linked 5. Have schools improved 6. has always been 7. have found

Ex 2 (PP negative + question): 1. haven't found / Have researchers found? 2. hasn't improved / Has well-being improved? 3. haven't changed / Have Finnish schools changed? 4. hasn't been shown / Has it been shown?

Ex 3 (Passive): 1. are tested 2. is given 3. are encouraged 4. is not valued / isn't valued 5. have been ranked 6. are assessed 7. should be taught

Ex 4 (PP vs PS): 1. introduced (PS — specific year) 2. has shown (PP — relevant now, no time) 3. scored (PS — specific time "last year") 4. have become (PP — change up to now) 5. published (PS — specific year) 6. have not improved (PP — up to now, result matters now)

Ex 5 (Should/Might/Must): 1. should reduce 2. might help 3. must take / should take 4. shouldn't be 5. might not need 6. should be taught

Ex 6 (error correction): 1. have SHOWN (not 'have show') 2. Students ARE ASSESSED (not 'are assess') 3. Schools SHOULD FOCUS (not 'should focuses') 4. Homework HAS BEEN given (passive PP) 5. MIGHT help (not 'mights help') 6. have NOT been shown / haven't been shown (negative passive PP)

Reading + Listening

Reading T/F/NG: 1 T 2 F (children start school at 7, not 6) 3 T 4 NG (the article doesn't say Finnish teachers earn more) 5 T

Listening Task 1: 1-b 2-c 3-a

Listening Task 2: Research has shown / Finnish schools proved / students given less homework / quality matters more / constantly being assessed / anxiety burnout mental health / language is a skill / films music conversations reading / training not homework / makes you better / not assigned

Is School Working?

School Series · Lesson 3B · Student Handouts · B1–B2

Name:

Date:

Class:

Handout 1

Vocabulary

Part A — Key Words

Word

What it means / example

pressureB1

the stress of having to do something well or on time — Many students feel enormous pressure before exams. Schools should help manage this.

curriculumB1

all the subjects that are taught in a school — The Finnish curriculum includes more free time and play than most other countries.

creativityB1

the ability to think of new ideas and make things — Some teachers argue that creativity is not valued enough in exam-based systems.

assessB1

to measure or judge someone's knowledge or ability — In many countries, students are assessed constantly — through tests, homework and presentations.

achievementB1

something you have successfully done — or the results you get — Finland's academic achievement is among the highest in the world, despite less homework.

well-beingB2

the general state of being healthy, happy and comfortable — Research has linked excessive exam pressure to lower student well-being and mental health problems.

evidenceB1

facts or information that show whether something is true — The evidence suggests that more homework does not always mean better results.

reformB2

a change that improves a system — Many educators have called for reform of the exam system. They want less testing and more creativity.

flexibleB1

able to change or adapt easily — A flexible curriculum allows teachers to spend more time on topics that interest their students.

compulsoryB2

required by law or rules — something you must do — In most countries, education is compulsory until the age of 16.

encourageB1

to make someone feel confident to do something — Students should be encouraged to find their own ways to engage with a subject.

methodB1

a way of doing something — Different teaching methods suit different students. There is no single best method for everyone.

Part B — Match the Definition

Match each word to its definition.

Something you are required by law to do.
→ _______________

Information that shows whether something is true.
→ _______________

A change that improves a system.
→ _______________

The general state of being healthy and happy.
→ _______________

All the subjects taught in a school.
→ _______________

The ability to think of new and original ideas.
→ _______________

Part C — Fill in the Gaps

Use the words from Part A.

1.Students in many countries feel enormous __________________ before exams. Schools need to address this.

2.The school __________________ includes many subjects — but does it include the skills students really need?

3.In most schools, students are __________________ constantly — through tests, essays and oral presentations.

4.Research has linked excessive exam pressure to lower student __________________ and mental health problems in teenagers.

5.The __________________ suggests that more homework does not always produce better results.

6.In most countries, school attendance is __________________ until the age of 16.

7.Many educators have called for __________________ of the exam system — less testing, more creativity.

8.Critics argue that __________________ is not valued enough in schools where exams are the only measure of success.

9.Finland's academic __________________ is among the highest in the world, despite the fact that students do very little homework.

10.A more __________________ curriculum would allow teachers to spend more time on topics their students find interesting.

11.Students should be __________________ to find their own ways to engage with a subject, rather than just being told what to do.

12.There is no single best teaching __________________ . Different approaches work for different students.

Answer key

1. pressure 2. curriculum 3. assessed 4. well-being 5. evidence 6. compulsory 7. reform 8. creativity 9. achievement 10. flexible 11. encourage 12. method

Handout 2

Grammar

Three Grammar Structures — Discussing Education

★ G1 — PRESENT PERFECT — RESEARCH AND CHANGE
Use the Present Perfect for research findings and changes that are relevant now — no specific time mentioned.

Research has shown that… · Studies have found that… · Schools have become more competitive.
Finland has proved that less homework can work. · This approach has not been tested widely.
Has the education system changed? · How long have Finnish schools used this method?

PP vs Past Simple — the key contrast:
"Researchers have shown that homework has limited value." (PP — still relevant today)
"Finland introduced this reform in the 1970s." (PS — specific finished time)
Signal words for PP: recently · for years · so far · yet · already · never · ever · since · always
Signal words for PS: in [year] · ago · last year · at that time · when + past event

G2 — PASSIVE VOICE
Use the passive when the action matters more than who does it — common in academic and formal writing.

Active → Passive:
"Schools test students constantly." → "Students are tested constantly."
"Teachers give homework every day." → "Homework is given every day."

Past passive: "This system was introduced in the 1970s."
PP passive: "Students have been ranked by exam results for decades."
Modal passive: "Students should be encouraged to think independently."
Form: be (in the right tense) + past participle
✗ "Students are test." ✓ "Students are tested."

G3 — SHOULD / MIGHT / MUST
For recommendations, possibilities and obligations in the education debate.

SHOULD — recommendation or opinion:
"Schools should focus on well-being." · "Students shouldn't be ranked."

MUST — strong necessity or logical conclusion:
"Schools must take mental health seriously." · "There must be a better way."

MIGHT — possibility, hedging an argument:
"Less homework might reduce stress." · "This approach might not work in all cultures."
All three: modal + base infinitive (no -s, no -ing, no -ed)
✗ "Schools should focuses." ✓ "Schools should focus."

Exercise 1 — ★ Present Perfect: Complete the Research Findings

Complete using the Present Perfect of the verb in brackets.

1.Researchers __________________ (show) that excessive homework has limited benefits in many subjects.

2.The education system __________________ (change) significantly in Finland over the past fifty years.

3.Studies __________________ (not prove) that more homework automatically leads to better results.

4.Research __________________ (link) excessive exam pressure to anxiety and mental health problems in teenagers.

5.__________________ schools __________________ (improve) student well-being in recent years?

6.This approach __________________ (always be) controversial — not everyone agrees with the Finnish model.

7.Several studies __________________ (find) that students who read independently in their free time perform better in language tests.

Exercise 2 — Present Perfect: Negative and Question

Write the negative form and a question for each sentence.

1."Researchers have found a clear link between homework and results."
Negative: ___________________________ Question: ___________________________

2."Student well-being has improved in exam-focused schools."
Negative: ___________________________ Question: ___________________________

3."Finnish schools have changed their approach to homework."
Negative: ___________________________ Question: ___________________________

4."It has been shown that all students benefit from homework."
Negative: ___________________________ Question: ___________________________

Exercise 3 — Passive Voice: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite each sentence using the passive. You do not need to mention who does the action.

1. "Schools test students four times a year."

Passive: Students ___________________________________________________________________

2. "Teachers give students homework every evening."

Passive: Homework ___________________________________________________________________

3. "Schools encourage children to play for at least two hours a day."

Passive: Children ___________________________________________________________________

4. "The school system does not value creativity enough."

Passive: Creativity ___________________________________________________________________

5. "Countries have ranked schools by exam results for decades."

Passive: Schools ___________________________________________________________________

6. "The school assesses students through essays, tests and oral exams."

Passive: Students ___________________________________________________________________

7. "Schools should teach students how to manage stress."

Passive: Students ___________________________________________________________________

Exercise 4 — Present Perfect or Past Simple?

Choose the correct tense. Think: is there a specific time (PS) or is it relevant now with no time (PP)?

1.Finland __________________ (introduce) its education reform in the 1970s. (specific year)

2.Research __________________ (show) that well-being and achievement are connected. (relevant now, no time)

3.Finnish students __________________ (score) very highly in international tests last year. (specific time)

4.Many education systems __________________ (become) more competitive in recent decades. (change up to now)

5.A major study __________________ (be published) in 2019, questioning the value of homework. (specific year)

6.Student well-being __________________ (not improve) despite recent reforms. (up to now, result matters)

Exercise 5 — Should / Might / Must

Complete with should / shouldn't / might / must and the correct verb form.

1.Schools __________________ the amount of homework given to primary school children. (reduce — recommendation)

2.A flexible curriculum __________________ students to feel more engaged with learning. (help — possibility)

3.Schools __________________ the mental health of their students seriously. (take — strong necessity)

4.Exam results __________________ the only measure of a student's ability. (be — negative recommendation)

5.Some students __________________ as much structure as others. (need — possibility, negative)

6.Students __________________ how to learn independently — not just what to learn. (should / teach — passive)

Exercise 6 — Error Correction

Each sentence has one grammar mistake. Find it and correct it.

1. "Research have show that homework has limited benefits."