Your student works long hours. They come to the lesson tired, and homework never happens. Do not fight this. Change the size of the task, not the student.
Make it very small
Five minutes is a real task. One minute is also a real task. Choose the smallest thing that still helps.
This week: say three sentences in the lift. That is all.
Use time they already have
Waiting for a bus. Walking to work. Drinking coffee. Attach English to something they already do.
Say your three sentences while you walk. No book needed.
Give one task, not five
A long list feels heavy. One clear task gets done.
Record thirty seconds about your day. Send it to me.
Use their phone
Recording is fast and private. You can listen before the lesson, so the lesson starts with real speaking.
Praise the small win
If they send one recording, say thank you and name one good thing.
Your past tense was clear. Well done.
Change the lesson, not the student
If homework never happens, do the practice in the lesson. A student who speaks for ten minutes in class is still learning.
Words to remember
- task — a small piece of work
- record — to save your voice or video
- praise — to say good things about someone
- habit — something you do again and again
Questions & answers
Q: Should I stop giving homework?
No. Give less, and make it count. One small task is better than five.
Q: What if the student never does it?
Do it together in the lesson. Then the practice still happens.
Q: How do I keep the student motivated?
Show progress. Play an old recording and a new one. The change is the motivation.
Q: Is five minutes really enough?
For a busy student, yes. Five minutes every day beats one hour once a month.
Q: Should I speak to the parents?
Only with adult students' permission, or when the student is a child. Keep the student's trust first.