I work at an Eikawa and I’m struggling with one issue, mixed-level classes.
I’ll have one class where one student is near fluent in English while the two other students are intermediate. I’m worried about the lesson being too easy for one student or too difficult for the others. Is there any method you have or recommend to help teach the same topic at different levels in the same class?
I’ve searched online for answers but it hasn’t been much help.
Thank you.
3 comments
Create lesson plans that split the students into conversation groups. Put the two intermediate kids in one group and the fluent kid with you. Keep an ear open to what the two intermediate kids are saying while you talk to the fluent kid. Bring the class back together. Ask the two intermediates how they answered whatever prompt you gave. Ask the fluent kid to share what you both said.
For mixed levels, mixed ages, etc., group activities are huge.
If its only three then it should not be too bad. I would also try writing and a few other formats to see where the fluent student might have somethings they need to work on. I have had a lot of fluent speakers who couldn’t write.
I usually teach to the lower level students when I’m in the planning stage. While the lower level student are working, I ask the higher level student extra or expanding questions. I do a lot of pair work in my lessons and make sure the higher level student is with a lower level student.