student asking question

What is the difference between "assignment" and "homework"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Great question. I would say there is no meaningful difference between those two words except for their habitual usage. At the primary and secondary school levels, homework is most usually called “homework.” At the senior secondary and university levels, homework is most usually called “assignment.” The change in the term is supposed to suggest that the work isn’t merely homework, like in school, but something more important or wider-ranging and that requires more critical effort from students.

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