Teaching English Language in Mixed Ability Classes

1
Teaching English Language in Mixed Ability
Classes

• The Challenge of Heterogeneous Classes

2
Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is a mixed ability class?
• Main problems in mixed ability classes
• How to cope with problems some theoretical
  contributions
• From theory to practice evidence from my
  training practice
• Conclusions
• Bibliography

3
What is a mixed ability class?

• It is a class of learners who display a number of
  differences in their
• Language and cultural background
• Language learning ability
• Learning speed
• Learning style
• Attitude towards subject matter
• Personality features (self-confidence, interests,
  motivation)

4
What are the main problems in a mixed ability
class?

• Differences make it more difficult for teachers
  to
• Select or design suitable materials for everyone
  (high achievers, average students and weak
  students)
• Provide each student with effective learning
  tasks
• Get all the students involved and motivated
• Keep discipline

5
How can teachers cope with

• Some theoretical contributions suggest that
  teachers should
• Appeal to all senses, different learning styles
  and intelligences
• Theory on Learning Styles and Language Learning
  Strategies
• Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligences
• Help students create their own Portfolio to
  record individual progress
• Common European Framework of Reference for
  Languages
• Promote students cooperation and enhance social
  skills
• Cooperative Learning
• Communicative Language Teaching Approach
• Terrell and Krashens Natural Approach

6
What proved successful in my teaching practice?

• Flexible class management (individual, pair and
  group work,
• different types of grouping)
• Clear instructions (also using non-verbal
  language and students mother tongue)
• Setting different objectives according to
  students different starting levels
• Supplemental, suitable materials (vs. course
  books designed for an ideal homogenous classroom
  environment)
• Open-ended tasks (vs. questions with only one
  correct answer)
• Individual tasks and extension activities for
  high achievers