Summary or Own Words?

"OK.Now for your homework, please summarize this text and return it tommorow.", a teacher said.
"Oh....", students complained.

Have you ever experienced this in your class? I am sure that 90% of teachers has this one.

My students always complain about the way that I ask them to summarize the reading or listening. I didn't understand why they do this. I just wanted them to improve their speaking or writing. I had always wondered this until I became a teacher of NTS (Newton Thylay School). For the part time program the teachers are supposed to use True Color series as the main course book. Most of the the activities that the sutdents have to do are intruduced by phrases like: in your own words. Then I realized that the students didn't show their frustrations anymore eventhough the outcome of the work is the same, but they were happy to do it and got to the point that I want.

I had been thinking about this for a while and soon after that I figured it out.

The word "Summary" may mean that the students has to do things according to the teacher's idea or the context. It means that they have to find the right answer as the teacher's. They may think that the teacher has his own answer key or answer that they have to try to find the same thing too. It is a preasure and the students won't feel like doing it. So since then I change my words. Instead of saying"Now summarize the story", I say that"Ok, now. Write the story again using your own words. Just say from what you can remember as much as you can."

Does this sound more relaxed? I think you should try this.