Sarah Lynn
Using Same-Ability Groups in the Multi-Level Adult Classroom
How can I engage, support, and challenge my students when they are at so many different levels?
Teaching in a multi-level classroom is very challenging, but there are
ways to differentiate instruction and still maintain a coherent and
cohesive class. One way is to vary the way you group your students. …
There are basically two strategies to grouping students: sorting them
into same-ability groups or mixed-ability groups.
In this month’s article I’ll give some tips on teaching with same-ability groups. The advantage of this approach is that students in same level groups tend to participate more equally. It’s less likely one student will dominate or rush the group. On the other
hand, when a class always sorts into the same groups, it becomes stratified and
students don’t experience the benefits of working with students across skill-levels.
Here’s an overview of how to handle same-ability groups:
| Pre-Level | Above-Level | |
| Group Size |
Smaller groups | Larger groups |
| Model Language |
Refer to the model | Work independently |
| Task | Limited and simple | Multiple and complex |
Your Pre-Level Groups
When it’s time for group work, keep the below-level group small. It’s
less complex to work in a small group. Fewer people in a group ease the
work of communicating and collaborating.
Provide a model on the board or identify the model in the book.
Encourage students to refer to the model for support. For example, if
the task is to write a food shopping list. Make sure these students can
see words for food on the board or on a vocabulary page in the book.
Assign finite tasks to these groups. Again, if the class activity is to
write a shopping list, tell this group to write five things they need.
Your Above-Level Groups
Make these groups larger. The more people in a group the more challenging the communication and collaboration. Also, above-level students sometimes enjoy the opportunity to work alone.
Encourage students to work independently from the model. If the model
is on the board, encourage them to turn away from it. If the model is
in the book, encourage them to close it and refer to it only when
necessary.
Assign an extra and more complex task. If the common task is to write a
shopping list, give this above-level group the added task of sorting
the food by supermarket sections (Dairy, Frozen, Produce, Meat, Dry Goods,
Canned Goods).
Here are a few more examples of how to differentiate the levels for common
classroom activities:
Activity:
In pairs, practice the conversation using the substitute words.
| Lower-Level Pairs | Above-Level Pairs |
| Write one substitute word in each blank. Read the conversation aloud. Change roles and read it again. |
Practice the conversation with the substitutions. Close the book and write one version of the conversation together. |
Activity: Completing a worksheet.
| Pre-Level Pairs | Above-Level Groups of Three |
| Complete the first few items. | Complete the entire worksheet. Then read each sentence aloud and circle the subject. |
Note:
When reviewing students’ answers, be sure to call on the pre-level
students for the first items and the above-level students for the later
items. Write the answers on the board as students call out their
answers. This helps the lower-level students complete their worksheets
with the correct answers.
A Note About Individual Work
Some students prefer to work unfettered by the constraints of
collaboration. Be sure students get to work individually at least one
time each class. However, if your pre-level students seem overwhelmed
by independent work, allow them to work with a partner. They just need
a little more support.
Sarah Lynn
currently teaches at a literacy/learning program in Cambridge, MA. She
has trained volunteers and led workshops on many aspects of teaching
adult education students. Sarah has taught ESL for 20 years in the U.S.
and abroad. Sarah is a series author and a featured instructor on the Future Teacher Training DVD.
“Ask Sarah Lynn “Our Teachers Helper” is part of the Future
website.
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