Introduction

• 1 Think of a class you teach. What different skills and abilities do the students in that class have? What impact does this have on your teaching?

• 2 Look at the list of teaching skills below. How would you do them differently for weaker and stronger students?

What is a mixed-ability class?

There is no such thing as an ‘average student’. Students have different skills and abilities in different areas, both linguistic and non-linguistic. However, when teaching large classes, it can be difficult to find out what these different skills are. Generally speaking, you don't have the time to know the students well on an individual basis. In challenging circumstances, you may be teaching students who have had very difficult educational and life experiences. This is likely to affect the way you teach.

Classes with mixed-ability students offer several advantages. However, you should be aware of some of the potential negative outcomes, and take steps to avoid them. Not only may stronger students feel bored and lack interest, weaker students may also feel lost and confused. There is also the risk of ▸stereotyping students according to their sex, ethnic ▸identity or language which they speak (e.g. ‘girls are good at X’, ‘boys are bad at Y’).

Note

Keep a notebook so you can make notes about individual students’ different skills and knowledge. Recording this information can help you recall key facts about them (e.g. Student A likes flying kites, or Student B knows a lot about animals), which you can use and refer to at appropriate times.