Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Thanks
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- I Creating a good environment for language learning
- II Being effective in the classroom
- III Teaching large classes
- IV Teaching language skills and systems
- V Teaching language without textbooks
- VI Teaching language with textbooks
- VII Helping students achieve their potential
- VIII Linking the school to the outside world
- IX Supporting yourself and others
- Glossary
- Index
10 - Managing mixed-ability classes
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 September 2021
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Thanks
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- I Creating a good environment for language learning
- II Being effective in the classroom
- III Teaching large classes
- IV Teaching language skills and systems
- V Teaching language without textbooks
- VI Teaching language with textbooks
- VII Helping students achieve their potential
- VIII Linking the school to the outside world
- IX Supporting yourself and others
- Glossary
- Index
Summary
All classes are mixed-ability classes.
Jim RoseThe short version
1 All students have different abilities, which should be recognized and celebrated within the classroom.
2 You should adapt your key classroom skills (e.g. eliciting, correcting, giving feedback) according to the language ability and knowledge of your students.
3 It's possible to use the same materials and resources but differentiate the task, so that all students can participate equally in the lesson.
4 An important consideration when forming groups is whether they should be homogeneous (same ability) or heterogeneous (different ability).
5 A more radical alternative to mixed-ability classes is to mix grade levels, so classes consist of mixed-age students of similar ability.
Introduction
1 Think of a class you teach. What different skills and abilities do the students in that class have? What impact does this have on your teaching?
2 Look at the list of teaching skills below. How would you do them differently for weaker and stronger students?
What is a mixed-ability class?
There is no such thing as an ‘average student’. Students have different skills and abilities in different areas, both linguistic and non-linguistic. However, when teaching large classes, it can be difficult to find out what these different skills are. Generally speaking, you don't have the time to know the students well on an individual basis. In challenging circumstances, you may be teaching students who have had very difficult educational and life experiences. This is likely to affect the way you teach.
Classes with mixed-ability students offer several advantages. However, you should be aware of some of the potential negative outcomes, and take steps to avoid them. Not only may stronger students feel bored and lack interest, weaker students may also feel lost and confused. There is also the risk of ▸stereotyping students according to their sex, ethnic ▸identity or language which they speak (e.g. ‘girls are good at X’, ‘boys are bad at Y’).
Note
Keep a notebook so you can make notes about individual students’ different skills and knowledge. Recording this information can help you recall key facts about them (e.g. Student A likes flying kites, or Student B knows a lot about animals), which you can use and refer to at appropriate times.
- Type
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- Information
- Teaching in Challenging Circumstances , pp. 63 - 68Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021