When Teaching Has to Be Termed ‘Mixed Ability’

Abstract

A dialogue between an English language school administrator and an enquiring learner, at enrolment time: Learner:Administrator: We don't. We're experimenting. L:A: L:Doesn't that cause problems? A: When do you hold your placement tests?But surely you have a test designed to measure the range of words and structures each learner knows, so that he can be put into a suitable group? No, we don't. Neither do we test after periods of instruction. We have mixed-ability classes. You know, learners in a group, each with varying amounts of knowledge of the target language.Our excellent teachers design motivating lessons to overcome these problems. They assume different roles in the classroom, and use new methods. Learners are encouraged to be responsible for their own learning. We find it works. Learners don't really like others to assess them.