How can I deal with a multi-level ESL class?

Question

When I say multi-level, that means there are about five different levels of English.

Answer 1

A multi-level class is in reality actually quite normal in ESL simply because Ss have different oral, reading, writing and learning speed levels. In fact even if they don't begin that way, they become multi-level after a month or so due to the individual progress of the students..... Although group work is important, it's also important to keep the class together for part of each lesson, especially at the beginning and the end. This gets away from the feeling of 5 classes in one room with a shared teacher. You can group Ss in different ways -
By oral level
By reading & writing level (some orally fluent Ss can't read well...)
By interest, relevance of activity
By learning style
By language background (for pronunc.)
By gender (eg. for gender specific topics)
By mixing the levels so upper Ss can help the lower Ss.

Finally, go to eslcafe.com and you'll find some wonderful teaching ideas for multi-level classes. Good luck

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

What do you mean for five different levels of English? Do you mean the student's different levels? If you have students with individual difference in one class, I suggest you prepare several activities all for one. By doing that, you'll have choices enough to use in time when you need one. Try the first two activities and if you find that some students' English is higher, give them another one. See whether it work!

Answer 4

Because our state only allows minimal bilingual instruction, our schools have implemented Structured English Immersion or SEI. (All certificated teachers have to be trained in this method.) Here is some info if you are not familiar:
http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/docs/707.pdf
(This report supports the idea that there needs to be consistant phonics-based and differentiated instruction to support pre-emergent, emerging literacy in the classroom.)

One of the things we are doing campus-wide is literacy workstations. This allows students to work on individual practice while the teacher works with leveled groups or individual students.
Check out:
Practice With Purpose, Literacy Work Stations
both books by Debbie Diller. And be sure to look up Words Their Way, another great resource.

http://www.stenhouse.com/pdfs/0353ch01.p... (This gives you the comparison between traditional learning centers and literacy work stations.)

Hope this gives you some ideas to get started!
Mon :-)

Answer 5

Hi...this is from a learning coach...

Use Leverage!!

You need to start using the skills these people possess already. You partner them so that they have a study buddy!

The strong helps the weak and learns the art of communicating ideas.

The best way to learn something is to teach someone else that very thing you are trying to learn.