Korean Job Discussion Forums

[afsjesse]

I've been doing after school classes with mixed levels for about 3 weeks now. Some of the parent's of the advanced students are complaining it's too easy so I have to teach them all different things during the same time now.

I've thought of having them read some sort of article than discussing it etc.... but my coteachers are not offering any help. What kind of things should I be teaching these kids while I'm over helping the lower ones?

I've already requested that the class be divided into different time slots, but apparently it's out of the question.

[harlowethrombey]

wow, that sucks.


uhhhhhh, what about creating a worksheet that all deals with the same subject but you can slide the difficulty up and down. For example, give the lower level students a worksheet with a person on it and ask them to write down adjectives 'tall, short, pretty, etc.'

The high level students can also describe a person, but they need to use full sentences 'He is tall.' or 'She has curly hair.'

This way you can be teaching everyone the same thing (describing people/using adjectives) but the students can be doing different levels of work.

These mashed together classes are always really tough. Good luck!

[tenchu77491]

I am not an old school teacher or anything, but I did teach a few mixed classes before. Here are a few ideas:

1) Create a central topic: For simplicity, lets say the Zoo. (Of course adjust the topic to fit the middle of the levels). Now you design a worksheet divided into two or three for the different levels. Each level's section uses different grammar structure and vocabulary and what not (to adjust to the levels) (I also suggest beefing the higher levels by a lot, give them a short essay or paragraph as well to write, since the higher levels are complaining). The actual lecture itself will focus more on the lower levels but also go over the higher level. During the worksheet time, go around the room and help those that need it the most, pray for the best.

2) For the daring, make a game where the levels play against each other but make the higher level task much more difficult so the difficult is leveled out. This is not a teaching method, but it may kill any left over time or what not if the class is chaotic, may straighten it out at the end of the week. No one likes a giant mixed class on friday night.

Just some ideas~

[Easter Clark]

In my experience, using pictures is great for mixed levels. Just give a pair or group (ideally grouped according to ability) a picture of a scene, preferably with a lot of people and action, and have them first write questions, then exchange their papers and correct any mistakes. After that have them ask and answer their questions together. Encourage them to use their questions as a springboard for further conversation, not just interview-style.

[Fishead soup]

Put them in small groups and give them different materials. This is what teacher centered classes are all about. Last winter during a camp I had one group doing a peer dictation activity. One student was reading from a very difficult passage while the rest were copying the material down. The other group were doing substitution drills from" Side by Side" . I just mingled between the two groups and helped the students who wanted help.