TEACHING MIXED-LEVEL CLASSES

TEACHING MIXED-LEVEL CLASSES

One of the most common complaints from teachers is that their class has a wide range of levels in it. If the teacher goes at the speed of the faster students, he loses the weaker ones. If the teacher goes at the speed of the weaker ones, then the stronger students get bored. There is no easy solution to this but we will look at a number of ideas.

Many of the solutions involve variations on two options: either dividing the class (i.e. separating them to the different levels) or by offering differentiated work (i.e. different work to different people).

Now think of some advantages and challenges associated with teaching a mixed-level class. Advantages are the following:

1. Ls learn to workwell in groups

2. Ls become independent learners

3. Ls develop strong peer relationships

4. Ls are able to learn at their own pace

Challenges might be as such:

1. Finding appropriate materials

2. Organizing groups in class

3. Ensuring all Ls are challenged/interested

4. Enforcing English only policies

There are some sensible ways of dividing the mixed-level class:

1. Make short-term pairs of threes (e.g. for a single task) deliberately mixing stronger and weaker students

1. Make long-term pairs or groups (maybe a month of half term), including one stronger student who is openly given the task of supporting the other students.

2. Divide the class in two halves (or more if useful) for some parts of the lesson. Prepare tasks at two (or more) levels. While one half works independently, teacher works with the other half and vice versa.

Separating weaker/stronger students into halves/pairs/groups may be good because learners can work together with peers of a similar level; stronger learners can go ahead at their own pace, they are not being held up by slower peers; weaker learners can contribute more and work at their own level, without being discouraged by faster peers. Unfortunately, there might happen a loss of class identity; also stronger students might become rude\unkind towards weaker students.

Keeping the class as a single mixed-level group may be good because stronger learners can support weaker ones. They improve their own skills/understanding. Weaker Ls benefit from hearing stronger Ls using English. A class identity is maintained and grows.Mutual respect and support is encouraged. Although it may be problematic because stronger learners may find the class slow. They can get bored waiting for weaker learners. Stronger learners get frustrated at frequent mistakes or issues that they already understand. Stronger learners can talk over/ignore weaker learners thus weaker learners can “switch off” [1, p. 143-154].

There are some general suggestions for mixed-level classes: set different time requirements, discuss and agree personal learning plans with each student, ensure that stronger students don’t dominate answering questions, create a self-study area in the classroom, differentiate homework, ensure testing is fair, don’t panic about covering the book.

Список литературы

1. Harmer J. The practice of English language teaching./ J. Harmer. - Pearson Education Limited, 2015. – P. 143-154.