How to teach classes of different abilities

Casey, along with many others wrote in to ask:

How do you deal with kids of different abilities in the same class?

The key to dealing with mixed ability classes is “peer learning” Β where instead of one level of teaching coming from the teacher, the kids are in groups or pairs and teach each other according to each other’s needs. Β (Β Don’t worry, it’s a lot easier than it sounds. πŸ™‚ )

In Genki English we do this with pair and group work games. Β You can find them all on the curriculum page.

Having said that …..Β 

Ideally, and for people who have their own schools, the best way, by far, is to split the class.

Everyone learns best when the class is just at the right (i.e. just a little challenging) level for them.

Or …

If there are just one or two higher level students then getting them to be helpers can work wonders.

Or if there are just one or two less experienced students then you can work with them (and their parents) to set them homework to bring them up to speed. Usually I wouldn’t recommend this, but I was just speaking to a teacher this morning who had been doing this to great effect, it also inspires the other kids when they see these kids learning so fast!

So in general,

  1. Try and split the class if you can.
  2. If you can’t split the class use the recommend pair/group game for each lesson and you’ll be fine!

Enjoy!

P.S. Β If you’re lucky enough to have a computer for every child in the class (or can use the computer room!)Β then you can set them all playing the computer game together and as the faster kidsΒ emerge, set them new games for new lessons whilst the other kids are catching up. Β If you have your own school, it can be a very worthwhile investment putting in individual computers just for this!

Richard Graham

I'm on a mission to make education Genkiβ€”fun, exciting, and full of life! Genki English has now been researched by Harvard University and licensed by the British Council around the world. The results have been magical! Now I'm here to help you teach amazing lessons, with all the materials prepared for you, and to double your teaching income so you can sustainably help many more students in the future!

3 Responses to “How to teach classes of different abilities”

  1. Stephen

    I found when teaching kids in elementary schools in Japan that there were large differences in ability. But this can work to your advantage, especially by pairing up the faster learning students with the students who take more time, as Richard says. Actually, having this mix in class is really good, as I found that the kids who were not so into learning and ‘conforming’ were actually fun to have in class!

  2. elham

    hi Richard,

    It is my pleasure to receive email from you.
    I also had this kind of problem and I was thinking what to do to not be boring the clasp for faster learners.
    Your suggestion seems to be great.I will apply it and see the results.
    Again thanks for your emails.

    be genki
    Elham

  3. Dalys

    Thank, Richard. Just now, I am working at home, trying to plan for my kids, pre-school, looking for new and intersting activities, Your suggestios are always very important, thanks, Blessing.

    Dalys

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