Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Thanks
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- I Creating a good environment for language learning
- II Being effective in the classroom
- III Teaching large classes
- IV Teaching language skills and systems
- V Teaching language without textbooks
- VI Teaching language with textbooks
- VII Helping students achieve their potential
- VIII Linking the school to the outside world
- IX Supporting yourself and others
- Glossary
- Index
11 - Managing mixed-age classes
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 September 2021
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Thanks
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- I Creating a good environment for language learning
- II Being effective in the classroom
- III Teaching large classes
- IV Teaching language skills and systems
- V Teaching language without textbooks
- VI Teaching language with textbooks
- VII Helping students achieve their potential
- VIII Linking the school to the outside world
- IX Supporting yourself and others
- Glossary
- Index
Summary
In mixed-age classrooms, children are more likely to cooperate than compete … They generate a family of learners who support and care for one another.
Vine AcademyThe short version
1 Mixed-age classes are common, but they can be particularly challenging when teachers don't have specific training or support in how to manage such classes.
2 Within a single class, you can have students at very different stages of their emotional, mental and physical development – this has a massive impact on how they are in the classroom.
3 There are practical classroom implications for students who have already covered material in previous years.
4 Be sensitive in giving homework since older students may have significant home or work duties to perform.
5 Present mixed-age classrooms to all your students as an opportunity to be celebrated, rather than a problem to be minimized.
Introduction
1 What is the age range in your class?
2 How do the different ages of the students influence the way you teach?
3 What issues do the students face (both younger and older) because of their age differences?
Why do some classes have such a wide range of ages?
Sometimes, creating mixed-age classes is a deliberate pedagogical strategy. In such cases, teachers are usually given specific training and are well supported by school management. In challenging circumstances, however, there may be no such training, no such support, and no pedagogical reason for having a wide range of ages in a class. Three common reasons why classes may have such a wide range of ages are: 1. There are not enough teachers for each grade level, so classes have to be combined. 2. Students may have missed a lot of schooling (e.g. for economic reasons or due to migration) and come to schooling late. 3. Students fail exams and have to repeat school years. Your institution may also have taken a deliberate decision to arrange classes by ability rather than age (see ▸Chapter 10).
When the age range is not that wide (e.g. 1–2 years), there may be little noticeable difference between students. However, when the age range is wider, the children may be at very different stages of development. There are huge differences between a 10- and 16-year-old, whereas the difference between a 20- and a 26-year-old is not that significant.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Teaching in Challenging Circumstances , pp. 69 - 71Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021