Teaching English to large and multilevel classes is the norm in many non-English-speaking countries. An all-too-common issue for ESL teachers is walking into a class where the skills of students vary. When a class has students with different skills and proficiencies, it may make planning activities difficult for a teacher.
But it’s not impossible to teach when your students range from beginning to advanced. To ensure that your students can grasp the core concepts, you should identify the varying abilities in the class. It is usual for students to have different levels of literacy in their own language. Here are some practical tips for teaching English to a multilevel ESL class.
The Benefits and Challenges of Teaching Multilevel ESL Classes
Numerous teachers don’t know where to start when faced with the challenge of a multilevel classroom. They usually fear that the preparation process will be longer and the students will be demanding. Furthermore, schools with multilevel classes often have a limited amount of budget.
Teachers fear that they won’t be paid for the efforts they’re putting in. However, teachers with a TESOL certification online can easily recognize the benefits of multilevel ESL classes. Listed below are the expected benefits of teaching a multilevel ESL class.
- Students can grasp the core concepts at their own pace
- Students can work cohesively in a group
- Students tend to foster strong relationships with their peers
- They can become independent learners
But at the same time, teaching English to a multilevel class can present the following challenges.
- Ensuring participation and engagement among all students
- Organizing appropriate groups of students
- Finding appropriate teaching resources
Identifying the Students’ Requirements
When you are assigned to a multilevel ESL classroom, you should identify the learning needs of each student. Based on the size of the class, you can implement various strategies to determine the requirements of students.
To determine the problem areas of students, many institutes use a standardized test. This type of test may help the teachers to recognize the language proficiency of the students. However, standardized tests cannot identify the personal needs of individual students.
If you are assigned to a small multilevel class, it is recommended to communicate with each student. By communicating with the students, you can determine their objectives. You should also explain to students that you’ll be using grouping and partnering exercises to meet the needs of learners.
Group Students According to Their Abilities
In a multilevel ESL class, you should always place students into groups. When you have students working in groups of four or more, structure your groups based on their abilities. Students with good proficiency in English may feel bored when grouped with beginners.
Grouping students based on their skillset will allow you to procure appropriate teaching materials. You can also make students sit in a group of mixed abilities. In this manner, the students with a higher skillset can help teach the lower-ability students in the group. You will also come across students who are not comfortable speaking in front of the class. These students can practice speaking with a small group of their peers.
Developing Leveled Materials
The best way to address the diversity among learners in a multilevel ESL class is to develop leveled materials. Initially, it may seem challenging to create leveled materials. However, it can quickly be done by segregating students into lower-ability and higher-ability groups.
You can name each group to ensure the seamless distribution of materials. Usually, the lower-ability worksheets should involve identifying the correct answer. On the other hand, higher-ability students should always be encouraged to express their creativity.
It is essential to motivate them to write their work on their own. With leveled materials, you can ensure that the students are accomplishing the same learning objectives.
Teach the Core Concepts around Themes
It is helpful to teach around themes rather than planning the complete lessons around a particular concept. In this manner, students with varying proficiency can learn how to speak on a given topic. By teaching around the themes, you can develop a sense of community in the class. All students will work collaboratively when you create a sense of community.
Plan your Lessons Based on the Four Language Skills
Each ESL teacher should know how to plan lessons based on the four language skills. This includes writing, listening, reading, and writing. In a multilevel class, each student has strengths and weaknesses, irrespective of their proficiency level. By covering all these four necessary language skills, you can make sure that every student is challenged.
The main reason behind multilevel classes is the low enrolment rate or limited budget. With these helpful techniques, you can keep the whole class engaged. These tips are also effective in developing the critical language skills in students.
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