Opinion about mixed-abilities classes

[icebolla]

3-Every group is a mixed-ability group." Do you agree with this? YES
What are the implications of this statement for teachers?
You have a lot of possibilities of teaching. You can use different methodology in every moment. They can even teach each other. You are only a guider. It’s perfect. The problem is when there are very big differences. They can’t understand each other, they don’t want to help the other, they have bad manners, they have very different academic levels…

4. Mixed ability is usually considered to be a problem. But is it? Could there be some advantages to having students of different levels and abilities in the same class?
If the group has good students, it’s easy to solve this kind of problem. For example, a student with oral abilities (linguistic intelligence) can help another with problems of shyness (social intelligence) or mathematic intelligence…and so on.
I think the problem is the personality and manners of the today’s children

[wrj7usvt]

Re: Question 4- I definitely believe there can be advantages to having students of mixed abilities in the same class and I agree with what you've said about how students who are better orally can help those who aren't and I also think that the students can help each other in class, for example in checking answers before class feedback. Also, regarding the fact that learning ability can come from students' motivation for learning English, that's something we can't change, but what we can change or cater for is the student's attitude towards leaning English. We can try to make classes enjoyable and make sure students feel they are achieving something, so they actually want to come to class, even though they may not be the quickest learner in the class. We can try different types of activities and see which ones are most successful in class. I'd say this is an advantage because then we are giving the students the oportunity to practice English in a variety of different ways.
I was also thinking that if the students are mixed ability because of their previous exposure to the language I'd always try to mix up the students and pair up a' weaker' student with a 'stronger' student to do exercises.