I am teaching a large adult class. They are in different level. Some can understand listening materials, and they would like me to organize speaking activities. But some of them are just accustomed to listen to teacher's lecture. some of them even can't figure out the meaning of the text by themselves. How do I handle the class? Would someone help me out?
Thanks in advance!
Large Class
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While it depends on what you are teaching (Language teaching Class it seems to me) but you can try what we called (mix abilities grouping technique) which implies simply dividing them into group. Each group consists of individuals with different skills and abilities, then you can assign each group a task that needs more than one skills by this they will co operate and each individuals will help and direct the others on the part he is good in which will make it easier for you.
I used this technique and it worked well in some situations but I can't tell in yours . We have to wait for Language instructor input!
I used this technique and it worked well in some situations but I can't tell in yours . We have to wait for Language instructor input!
You're in Guangzhou? I had a class like that in Beijing once. Here are some things I found to be effective:
1) lecture a little (5-10 min) at the beginning of every class. It calms the students down and makes them feel that you'll take care of them. It also helps establish a foundation of common knowledge upon which to base the other activities of the day.
2) work in groups. You can have groups of mixed levels, or groups of similar levels. Both work well in different circumstances. In groups, students can discuss a given issue, or prepare something to be presented to the rest of the class.
3) enlist the help of the higher level students. The following is a great technique... but it does mean extra work for you. The idea is to get a few high level students together an have them act like teaching assistants. They each get a group of lower level students to meet with outside of class each week. They are in charge of leading conversation groups in these outside-class meetings. Then they also meet with you once a week to talk about teaching techniques, tricky questions, and whatever else they want to talk about. The benefit for them is the extra meetings with you and the other high-level students. The benefit for the other students in the class is the extra conversation sessions. The benefit for you is satisfied students who make rapid progress. But it all means more work for everyone. So it's a trade off.
Good luck.
-EH
1) lecture a little (5-10 min) at the beginning of every class. It calms the students down and makes them feel that you'll take care of them. It also helps establish a foundation of common knowledge upon which to base the other activities of the day.
2) work in groups. You can have groups of mixed levels, or groups of similar levels. Both work well in different circumstances. In groups, students can discuss a given issue, or prepare something to be presented to the rest of the class.
3) enlist the help of the higher level students. The following is a great technique... but it does mean extra work for you. The idea is to get a few high level students together an have them act like teaching assistants. They each get a group of lower level students to meet with outside of class each week. They are in charge of leading conversation groups in these outside-class meetings. Then they also meet with you once a week to talk about teaching techniques, tricky questions, and whatever else they want to talk about. The benefit for them is the extra meetings with you and the other high-level students. The benefit for the other students in the class is the extra conversation sessions. The benefit for you is satisfied students who make rapid progress. But it all means more work for everyone. So it's a trade off.
Good luck.
-EH