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1. What causes mixed-ability:
aptitude
previous exposure
attitude
motivation
learning style
personality

3. "Every group is a mixed-ability group." Indeed, every group is a mixed-ability group. There are always different learning rhythms and styles. Every subject is unique to learn a language and in life.

4. Mixed ability is usually considered to be a problem. Personally, I also think it is a problem. One of the advantages of having a mixed ability group is that you get different ideas and points of view. In addition, slow learners learn from advanced ones. But most of the time some get bored or others get stressed.

Yes Maria José, you have described the problem succinctly! Bored and stressed. So the question is what options do we have for dealing with this situation. One of the good things about course books these days is that they often cater for mixed ability groups. You will find extra materials and tasks for the bored ones, review material for the stressed ones. And sometimes you will have a series of tasks that are graded from simple to difficult, so the stressed ones can do 2 or 3 easy ones, while the bored ones can do all of them.