{"id":6834,"date":"2011-03-22T19:43:00","date_gmt":"2011-03-22T19:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eltchat.org\/wordpress\/?p=6834"},"modified":"2011-03-22T19:43:00","modified_gmt":"2011-03-22T19:43:00","slug":"how-do-you-deal-with-mixed-ability-classes-eltchat-01032011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eltchat.org\/index.php\/2011\/03\/22\/how-do-you-deal-with-mixed-ability-classes-eltchat-01032011\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you deal with Mixed Ability Classes #ELTchat 01\/03\/2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary of the #eltchat on Mixed Abilities<\/h2>\n
Posted by Shaun Wilden<\/strong> on March 1st, 2011<\/div>\n
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How do you deal with Mixed Ability Classes<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Photo fromfreedigitalphotos<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

This is the summary of the #eltchat on Wednesday 24th<\/sup> February. The topic was teaching Mixed ability classes<\/p>\n

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The early part <\/strong>of the discussion was centred on the definition of the mixed ability<\/strong>, with chatters suggesting things such as<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s all sorts \u2013 different levels\/ different needs \/ different mixtures<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Different levels of achievement or different levels is a different issues<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Also classes where some are very strong in writing while others are much stronger in speaking<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So same level just different abilities?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 more\/less able students who are fantastic at one particular aspect of the language not so good at others<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mixed ability is different levels of active \/ passive vocab\/grammar\/cultural knowledge(L1 and L2)\/skills<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2026but also maturity levels\/concentration span\/energy levels\/short and long-term memory\/social skills\/attitudes to Eng\u2026!<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 teaching mixed ability in the first sense is just teaching none of us are the same<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Always important to not always think of strong and weak in terms of language \u2013 there are other things to consider<\/p>\n

The consensus <\/strong>seemed to be that \u2018all classes<\/strong>\u2019 are mixed ability in some ways.<\/p>\n

Worksheets<\/strong><\/p>\n

A large part of the chat then moved onto the topic of worksheets and whether the preparation of different workshops for different abilities was a solution.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Different worksheets for everyone is the standard advice in mixed level teaching orthodoxy but is it really viable?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Different worksheets for all just not practical in mainstream with 30 kids and so much difference<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Also same worksheet can be used in different ways to exploit\u00a0 it e.g. for YLs \u2013 write minimum 3 sentences (allows stronger to write more)<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Can teachers really find time to make different worksheets would it be better for students to make their own?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Task differentiation is OK, it\u2019s not always necessary to have different worksheets<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tasks should be flexible in terms of level and aims.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Why do we need w\/sheets? Use the whiteboard for examples then ask class to work in groups, they will show you their knowledge<\/p>\n

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So what other advice was given?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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It can summarised into key areas.<\/p>\n

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1. Make the stronger students the team leader of other students or helpers.\u00a0 With a clear reason for helping<\/strong><\/p>\n

There was quite a discussion on the use of strong students and wherever it was motivating for them or not. Which was the best pairing a strong and weak student or pairing similar abilities?<\/p>\n

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2. Try not to work in lockstep all the time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was felt that lots of group work and mingles work very well for mixed abilities. This needs a variety and balance activities in a lesson as this gives all a chance to shine at something.<\/p>\n

The content can come students so the use of a\u00a0 student-centred approach is key. They can be given responsibility for creating their own tasks, choosing their own reading and so on.\u00a0 Peer teaching allows a lot of support.<\/p>\n

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3. Encourage co-operation rather than competition<\/strong><\/p>\n

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4. Do open ended activities<\/strong><\/p>\n

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5. Project work lends itself to mixed abilities<\/strong><\/p>\n

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6. Classroom management<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example pacing is important. Don\u2019t always wait until the very last one has finished their task. Also it helps to know your class and use monitoring effectively -find out which answers which students know then call on them<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

7. Work on develop language learning skills to foster autonomy<\/strong><\/p>\n

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8. Dictogloss, quizzes, different stories\/retelling are useful activities to use with mixed ability classes<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Some links and ideas:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Esl first aid wiki<\/a><\/p>\n

Advice on adapting materials for mixed ability classes<\/a><\/p>\n

Onestopenglish<\/a><\/p>\n

This is a good graded song listening site, lyrics training<\/a><\/p>\n

teachingexpertise.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Jigsaw reading activities in mixed ability classes<\/a><\/p>\n

Esolcourses<\/a><\/p>\n

Guardian Newspaper article<\/a><\/p>\n

ELTBase blog\u00a0 \u2013 solutions to mixed ability<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary of the #eltchat on Mixed Abilities Posted by Shaun Wilden on March 1st, 2011 How do you deal with Mixed Ability Classes   This is the summary of the #eltchat on Wednesday 24th February. The topic was teaching Mixed ability classes   The early part of the discussion was centred on the definition of…
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