{"id":6028,"date":"2013-11-03T17:36:00","date_gmt":"2013-11-03T17:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eltchat.org\/wordpress\/?p=6028"},"modified":"2013-11-03T17:36:00","modified_gmt":"2013-11-03T17:36:00","slug":"dealing-with-multi-aged-english-language-classrooms-an-eltchat-summary-09102013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/2013\/11\/03\/dealing-with-multi-aged-english-language-classrooms-an-eltchat-summary-09102013\/","title":{"rendered":"Dealing with multi-aged English language classrooms: An #ELTchat summary 09\/10\/2013"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dealing with multi-aged English language classrooms<\/h1>\n

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When I saw the topic for #ELTchat on 9th October was\u00a0Dealing with multi-aged classrooms<\/b><\/i>, I wanted to take part, even though the second chat is now at 7am my time and I that\u2019s when I\u2019m out walking in the bush near my house.\u00a0 I struggled to keep up on my phone, at the same time trying not to trip over anything and keeping one eye on the dog \u263a.\u00a0 Fortunately there weren\u2019t as many participants as usual, so it was easier to follow and I even managed to send off a few tweets of my own.<\/p>\n

I have had a lot of students who have migrated to Australia to perform grandparent duties, that is, helping to care for grandchildren while their parents are working. Consequently they often come to my evening class where the predominant group are younger migrants (though this still varies from 18-60) who are working or studying, so often getting a lot more English input day to day. In contrast, often the \u2018grandparents\u2019 don\u2019t have much exposure to English outside of class, particularly when they have come with very low-level English language skills.\u00a0 I’ve also had classes with some very young adults who are struggling with making a new life in a new country, often without their family and friends, and sometimes alone.\u00a0 So this chat was one I didn’t want to miss.<\/p>\n

The #ELTchat Summary<\/h1>\n

First of all we chatted about the age ranges we are seeing, or have seen in our classes.<\/b><\/h2>\n

There were a few of us dealing mostly with adults, with groups from around 18-88 in one class<\/p>\n

There were others teaching younger learners – teens and children.\u00a0 Spans reported were 5 -11, 10-17 and 12-15 year olds, which were variously described as \u201ca challenge\u201d, \u201ca nightmare\u201d, but others found that it wasn\u2019t so problematic and could work well.\u00a0 @Shaunwilden mentioned that a class with a 6-year age span \u201ccovers quite a lot of child development\u201d.<\/p>\n

And others reported having classes with mixed teens and adults, with someone mentioning they\u2019d had students as young as 14 years old in an adult class.<\/p>\n

This thread prompted @ELTExperiences to ask,\u00a0Why do we assume that there are greater issues between Young Learners and Adults?<\/b><\/i>\u00a0adding that \u201cperhaps most issues are with adults than expected\u201d<\/i>.\u00a0 The responses included comments that it may be because YLs are more open about showing feelings, where adults keep them in filter; with adults there are benefits that balance any drawbacks; kids want to play and adults want to ‘learn’; kids don’t want to play with younger kids; intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation.<\/p>\n

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What other differences did chat participants see in learners of different ages?<\/h2>\n

While there seemed to be general agreement that it depends very much on the individual learner, there were a few observations from participants regarding>\u00a0Fluency vs accuracy\u2026\u00a0<\/b>
\nSome felt that younger students are more fluent and older more accurate, while others thought that the older students might be more cautious rather than accurate, or possibly more hung up on accuracy (or even more cautious and that’s why more accurate.\u00a0 Though this wasn\u2019t everyone\u2019s experience.<\/p>\n

>\u00a0Dependency on translation and grammar explanations<\/b>
\nThere was a suggestion that older students are more dependent on translation and grammar explanations.\u00a0 But other have seen the opposite, so it was agred that it usually depends on their educational background and there are exceptions.<\/p>\n

>\u00a0(English) language learning experience\u00a0<\/b>
\nSome older students have experience of communicating in other additional language, and some may have been learning English for many years and have (or have experienced) a different approach.\u00a0 These were seen as an advantages which could be exploited in the classroom<\/p>\n

>\u00a0Time, will and motivation to learn<\/b>
\nSometimes older students (e.g. retired) have a lot more time to dedicate to studying.\u00a0 As well as more will and motivation, especially as some teens are obligated by parents and don’t really want to be there.<\/p>\n

>\u00a0Creativity vs knowledge<\/b>
\nSomeone suggested that younger students are much more creative, while older students ‘know’ more, which was a good combination.<\/p>\n

Are there any limitations to those mixed age groups you would prefer to have – e.g. no teens and grandads or what?<\/h2>\n

@Marisa_C posed this question, and there were a range of responses, which included: not really if they’re all adults; a limit of +14 for “adult” classes; a preference to have teens separate and elders separate (if they want it); and that younger groups (under 17\/18) need to be divided.<\/p>\n

Issues & Problems<\/h2>\n

>\u00a0Materials<\/b>
\nIt is hard to find relevant materials to suit all ages, so need to find ‘themes’ to engage all students.\u00a0\u00a0 Fortunately in a country such as Australia, ‘settlement’ is common, though even ‘settlement’ is different at different ages too!>\u00a0Discipline<\/b>
\nDiscipline was mentioned as an issue by quite a few people, in both adult and YL classes.\u00a0 However, having older adults can help with discipline of younger learners (more on that later).
\nThere was also the issues of having a parent and child, or a boss and a worker, in the same class<\/p>\n

>\u00a0Past education experiences and expectations<\/b>
\nWith large age gap there are bound to be different experiences of education and what students expect from a lesson.\u00a0 Also, how accustomed to studying they are.\u00a0 There can be an even wider range of past educational experiences in a multicultural class \u2013 the teacher can make no assumptions!<\/p>\n

>\u00a0Rates of assimilation\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

>\u00a0Pace<\/b>
\nThis was seen as a problem especially with the teen\/older adult mix.<\/p>\n

Teens are at the prime of their L2 acquisition – after 16 all downhill \u2013 and it could be hard for a, say, 60 year old to keep up.\u00a0 But again this does depend on the individuals too – @cerirhiannon had seen some very slow teens!!<\/p>\n

Someone felt that teens needs quicker transitions, but another comment was that they think they need quicker transitions but sometimes they… do things too quickly.<\/p>\n

@Shaunwilden mentioned a BBC programme that talked about how critical 2-4 years is: Toddler brain scan gives language insighthttp:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-24446292<\/a><\/p>\n

Benefits of mixed aged classes, or ways teachers are working with the differences:<\/h2>\n

Many of the differences that were mentioned in learners at different ages (also stages, learning styles, etc.) can be exploited in mixed-aged classes, such as: the accuracy vs fluency distinction; that younger students don’t need to understand every word; that some older students have experience of communicating in other L2.Having grandparently types in with younger students can help with discipline.\u00a0 (as can having a nun or two!).\u00a0 Having ‘older’ people in a class with teenagers means that the teacher I can share the job of being the \u2018parent\u2019 as there’s more than one person they need to respect, which keeps them in line.There was a side discussion about whether the younger students really respect the adults in the class or accept them as peers?\u00a0 It can a mixture of both. If everyone is there to learn then the respect is there, but it could be hard for older adults who feel they lose face\/respect in class. Some younger students benefit from the diligence of more mature classmates and from participating in grown up conversation.Often it\u2019s the older people that are harder work.\u00a0 @Marisa_C recalled one 75+ year-old keen student roping in a young guy to be his translator \u2013 though she said they had a ball!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This type of scenario is an opportunity to work with the differences., getting them to share stories, ideas, experiences.<\/p>\n

>\u00a0Teaching separate lessons for different age groups or using projects<\/b>
\n@cerirhiannon commented that, with 5 – 11 year olds, she ended up teaching 3 or 4 separate lessons at the same time.\u00a0 She finds this hard work but fun and elaborated on how she manages this challenging situation: It wasn’t a big class – between 10 and 12 depending on the day and some were brothers and sisters. We had a big table, rugs and cushions on the floor, with games and various activities.\u00a0 It was like monitoring group work, but on double speed!\u00a0 We used to have every 4th lesson mixed (ages & levels) in a team-teaching class.\u00a0 While it was hard work, it was fun and definitely good for the teacher\u2019s fitness \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

@HanaTicha felt the mixed age groups seems to work great with project work.\u00a0 Now and then they do ‘project’ days and mix classes and found it a good experience.\u00a0 She felt there could have be a limit to how this would work with different age groups, but that 10-15 is<\/p>\n

>\u00a0Different roles for different age groups<\/b>
\nIf the group is mostly young then the older students could be scribes during roleplays and discussions! This could serve to gives them a status (@mary28sou)<\/p>\n

A lot of the discussion about mixed ages in a class covered the same ground as discussions about mixed ability levels in a class.<\/h2>\n

With mixed age groups, we may be seeing mixed abilities, different attitudes not just levels, plus a wider range of needs\/wants and learning styles too.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While some felt that teaching different ages is as complex as teaching multiple levels, others felt it was fine if the different ages shared the same level,@harrisonmike weighed in with another tricky situation:\u00a0Try virtually pre-literate in L1 alongside PhD level qualified students in same class!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>And as with mixed level\/ability classes, some of the same ideas were suggested, such as, arranging tasks and activities so that everyone has chance to ‘shine’ in class at some time (as well as struggle!).@Marisa_C summed it up nicely\u2026\u00a0I think inevitable then we are talking about mixed ability teaching with a sprig of something about different attitudes not just levels.<\/i>
\n\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

After the chat – an extension activity…<\/h2>\n

One of the issues that didn\u2019t come up during the chat was that of\u00a0use of technology<\/b>.\u00a0 Given that we could expect to see a big gap with experience with and comfort level with technology between younger students and much older students, this was a little surprising.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve had older students (60+) who avoid anything to do with computers or other technology, including one memorable student in her late 60s who usually disappeared on the way to the computer lab.\u00a0 She had basic computer use skills, but felt using a computer for learning English was a waste of time.\u00a0 However, when I managed to get her to the lab with the rest of the class, she was pleasantly surprised to find that the activity was interesting and useful.\u00a0 But then she disappeared on the way to the lab the following week again!\u00a0 At the other end of the scale was another late-60s student who had never used a computer before, and who was terrified the first time I took the class to the lab. I sat with her and helped her through every part of the activity.\u00a0 The following week I started off giving her a lot of support but she quickly demonstrated that she didn\u2019t need me so much, and the next week proudly told me her son-in-law had bought her a laptop so she could access our LMS at home.\u00a0 The first time the same student recorded herself speaking in a language lab activity, she was amazed – it was the first time she had heard her own voice!Another interesting observation is when I take a class on an excursion.\u00a0 Being in the centre of our nation\u2019s capital city, we are very fortunate that there are many national institutions (museums, galleries, etc.) within easy walking or \u2018bus and walking\u2019 distance.\u00a0 I usually find that the older students stride ahead with me and then we have to wait on each corner for the students (who are between a half to a third of their age) to catch up!\u00a0 When I\u2019ve given them a choice between walking or driving somewhere, it\u2019s usually the older ones who want to walk!For the purpose of the summary, I thought I\u2019d do a quick search to see what I might find on the Web.This one looked interesting:<\/p>\n

Mathews-Aydinli, J. & Van Horne, R. (2006).\u00a0Promoting the Success of Multilevel ESL Classes: What Teachers and Administrators Can Do.\u00a0<\/i>Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA)http:\/\/www.cal.org\/caela\/esl_resources\/briefs\/multilevel.html<\/a>
\nAge. Young adults (16-18) differ socially and cognitively from older adults. Although adolescents tend to progress more quickly in their language learning, they also need more structure, guidance, and support to stay motivated (Weber, 2004; Young, 2005). Senior learners also have unique concerns that need to be taken into consideration, such as issues of physical health or hearing and visual acuity\u00a0<\/i>(Grognet, 1997).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And:<\/p>\n

For elderly refugees it has been particularly difficult. At a time in their lives when they should be looking forward to respect and reverence, they find themselves transplanted in a culture which is focused on youth. They have lost their homes, probably many of their family members, and most of all, their honored status<\/i>
\nGrognet, A.G. (1997).\u00a0Elderly refugees and language learning.<\/i>\u00a0Washington, DC: Center for Applied Linguistics. Denver, CO: Spring Institute for International Studies.
\nhttp:\/\/www.springinstitute.org\/Files\/refugeescomingtotheu.pdf<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For those interested, there is also mention of elderly learners in this:<\/p>\n

AMEP Research Centre Fact sheet \u2013 Retention of adult migrant learners<\/i>
\nhttp:\/\/www.ameprc.mq.edu.au\/docs\/fact_sheets\/Misc_Retention.pdf\u00a0<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And issues related to teaching youth in mixed-aged classes here:<\/p>\n

AMEP Research Centre Fact sheet \u2013 Youth in the AMEP<\/i>
\nhttp:\/\/www.ameprc.mq.edu.au\/docs\/fact_sheets\/07Teachingissues.pdf<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And finally, this one:<\/p>\n

Harding, L., & Wigglesworth, G. (2005). Different generations, different needs: Migrant youth in English language programs.\u00a0Prospect<\/i>, 20(3), 6\u201323
\nThis recent Australian study provides a survey of language programs for migrant youth in the AMEP, and details the views of young migrant learners and their teachers\/program directors. The authors propose a number of recommendations for the provision of language education for young people in both youth-specific and mixed-age classes.<\/i>
\nhttp:\/\/www.ameprc.mq.edu.au\/docs\/prospect_journal\/volume_20_no_3\/20_3_2_Harding.pdf<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A few of these refer to the AMEP, which is the\u00a0Adult Migrant English Program<\/a>. The most recent statistics I could find on age ranges in the AMEP (right across Australia) are from 2011-12:<\/p>\n

Department of Immigration and Citizenship Annual Report 2011\u201312 (p.250)
\nhttp:\/\/www.immi.gov.au\/about\/reports\/annual\/2011-12\/pdf\/report-on-performance.pdf<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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#ELTchat participants for this chat:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @cioccas
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @Shaunwilden
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @HanaTicha
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @theteacherjames
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @cerirhiannon
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @mattellman
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @Marisa_C
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @ELTExperiences
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @SueAnnan
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @MicaelaCarey
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 @mary28sou<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dealing with multi-aged English language classrooms When I saw the topic for #ELTchat on 9th October was\u00a0Dealing with multi-aged classrooms, I wanted to take part, even though the second chat is now at 7am my time and I that\u2019s when I\u2019m out walking in the bush near my house.\u00a0 I struggled to keep up on…
Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-summary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6028"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6028\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}