Diversity in groups of learners

In some institutions, classes are supposedly ‘homogeneous’ in that their members have done a test which assigns them to a particular group at a specific level. However, even in such groups – and how much more so in places where no such process takes place – students vary enormously, in a number of different ways. All classes are to some extent heterogeneous: there will always be diversity.

Pause for thought

What is ‘diversity’ in the classroom? In how many ways are students different from each other? Make a list of all the ways that they are different which would have an effect on how they need to be taught. Then compare your list with the one on the next page.

Comment

A lot of the items in your list will be the same as mine, but you may have added more, or omitted ones that I listed. The most obvious ones have to do with language ability or level; but others, such as learning preferences, personality, motivation and expectations, are also significant, and may substantially affect the way we need to teach.

Aspects of learner heterogeneity

Gender. In some mixed-gender classes, you may find differences between students that are gender-linked. This to a large extent depends on the surrounding culture, and how differently boys and girls are educated.

Age or maturity. Adult classes may be composed of students of widely varying ages. Even in schools within an education system where students in any one class are usually all the same age, they may have different levels of maturity, particularly in adolescent classes. This will make a substantial difference to the way they prefer to learn, how motivated they are, and more.

Proficiency in English. Members of a class will vary in their level of proficiency in English. This may be because of the amount of instruction they have received, their success or failure in previous courses or because they have had more, or less, exposure to English in the past outside the classroom.

First language and other known languages. Students may know only the dominant language of their own country, or they may (also) know other languages spoken by a local community, or in the home, or learnt in school.