QUICK RESOURCE SHEET #57

Mixed-level classes

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Teachers use the term multilevel to identify any group of learners who differ from one another in one or more significant ways. Arguably, every class is multilevel because learners begin with varying degrees of competence and then progress at different rates in each of the language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing (Bell & Burnaby, 1984; Santopietro, 1991; Wrigley & Guth, 1992)... Other factors that add to diversity in the classroom and to rate of progress in learning English are the type and amount of a learner's previous education; the learning style preference; learner expectations of appropriate classroom activities; and the culture, religion, sex, and age of each learner (Guglielmino & Burrichter, 1987).

---from http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/digests/SHANK.html

http://www.hltmag.co.uk/sept04/mart1.htm

“It is nowadays increasingly taken for granted that a swim-or-sink, the-same-everything-for-everyone approach in education will tend needlessly to fail a large proportion of learners. So, a hard question arises-how, in a class of a dozen or more learners can their various needs be well enough addressed? Or, in the narrower version that so preoccupies modern language teachers - How can we effectively teach students who are at widely different levels of proficiency and, very likely, aptitude?”

http://www.britishcouncil.org/languageassistant-tips-adapting-materials.htm

“I would like to offer some ideas of how you can support your weaker students and offer extension activities for your stronger students whilst using the same materials as the starting point for the class. This way the preparation time involved for the teacher isn’t drastically higher, and the group can still work together for most of the class.”

http://www.calpro-online.org/o_guides/abe_res_og/12.asp

This site presents five different models for approaching the instruction of a mixed-level class. One approach is through flexible grouping strategies, which the site illustrates in this way:

http://www.onestopenglish.com/esl_tefl_methodology/mixed_level_classes_walsh.htm

“The old adage of pitching your class to the level of the average student is definitely not appropriate for classes with extreme differences of level. This approach will leave the overwhelming majority of the class who are a bit lower or a bit higher feeling left out of the activities. There should be moments in the lesson that will be completely accessible for the lowest level students and activities that will challenge the most able.”

http://www.etprofessional.com/articles/mixedability.pdf

Jim Rose looks positively at mixed ability classes and suggests some appropriate teaching approaches.

· http://www.disabilitystudiesforteachers.org/index.php?id=Differentiated%20Instruction

· http://www.teachersworkshop.com/twshop/differentiatedideas.html

· http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/science/instr/differstrategies.htm

Just three of the many sites that offer practical tips for addressing the needs of students at different levels in the same classroom.

Previous editions of the QUICK RESOURCE SHEET

#1 – Creating quizzes (and more) online                                                         

#2 – Vocabulary builders

#3 – Online discussion groups for English teachers                                    

#4 – Grammar headaches – and how to cure them

#5 – Resources for new teachers                                                     

#6 – International Education Week

#7 – Mentoring programs                                                                    

#8 – Education publications online

#9 – Applied Linguistics                                                                   

#10 – English for Young Learners

#11 – World AIDS Day                                                                      

#12 – Online writing guides

#13 – E-mail exchanges                                                                      

#14 – Free online English courses

#15 – Effective e-mail communication                                             

#16 – Libraries online

#17 – American Studies                                                                     

#18 – Teaching methodologies

#19 – Internet tutorials                                                                       

#20 – Using the newspaper – Part I

#21 – Making books                                                                           

#22 - Using the newspaper – Part II

#23 – Human rights in language teaching

#24 – Blogging

#25 – Poetry and language teaching

#26 – The communicative approach

#27 -  Idioms

#28 – Earth Day

#29 – Alternative assessment

#30 – Peer assessment

#31 – Self-assessment

#32 – Portfolio assessment – Part I

#33 -  Portfolio assessment - Part II (Online Portfolios)

#34 – Intercultural communication

#35 – Teaching Adults

#36 – Learning disorders / Special needs

#37 – Using computers in reading instruction

#38 – Use of authentic materials

#39 – English for Medical Purposes

#40 – Sources for authentic materials

#41 – Education and technology

#42 – Academic writing

#43 – Teaching and stress

#44 – Back to school

#45 – Motivating students

#46 – Action research

#47 – Internet terminology

#48 – Fluency

#49 – Curriculum design

#50 – Pragmatics

#51 - Podcasting for English teachers

#52 – Critical reading

#53 – Learner autonomy

#54 – Scaffolding

#55 – Holidays

#56 – English for Academic Purposes