“Teaching Large

Classes”

Challenges and Solutions

}1

“Teaching Large

Classes”i - What are large classes?

ii - What makes large

classes difficult to teach?

iii - What techniques make

it possible for students to

learn in these classes?

21

i - What are large

classes?

a) A class with more than 30 students

?

b) A class with more than 40 students

?

c) A class with more than 50 students

?

d) A class with more than 60 students

? 31

The Fact is :Researches showed

that benefits in

achievement generally

occur when class size

is reduced to less than

20 students.41

ii - What makes large

classes difficult to teach?

(Problems with large classes

)

1- A tremendous

effort that teacher

will have to make. 51

2- It is difficult to get a

satisfactory knowledge

of students’ needs.

3- The noise level is

high which adds more

stress on teachers. 61

4- Organizing,

planning

and presenting

lessons, may

constitute another

challenge for teachers

in such classes as

students’ abilities

might differ

71

5- Intimacy with

students

and remembering

names might be a

problem.

6- Engaging learners

actively in the learning

process may not be 81

7- It is hard to

imagine how a large

class would benefit

from school

resources such as

computers, books,

references…91

8- With a crowded

classroom, teachers

may have difficulties

to measure

effectiveness.

9- A large class gives

reluctant students a

place to hide. 10

10- Classroom

management is a

challenge in the crowded

classrooms.

111

Break !

121

iii - What techniques make it

possible for students to learn

in these classes?

1-Train

students to

work in small

groups 131

2- Groups

should include

fewer

members.141

3-Pair work may be

also a good

alternative to

practice

conversations,

exercises and other

language activities. 151

4- Pairing weaker

students with stronger

ones might be an

option unless you fear

the weaker students

feel intimidated.

161

5- Changing the

classroom

desk

arrangement.171

6- To optimize your work with students with learning difficulties, give them seats in front of you, closer to you so that you can spot difficulties easily while teaching.

181

7- To reduce stress and

noise level, set simple

rules for class

management:

a. Establish simple

rules of acceptable

behavior for everybody to

observe when working in

groups, in pairs or

individually. 191

b. Train your students to deal with classroom chores:➬ getting into and out of the classroom at the start and end of lesson or during recess time➬ handing out books, papers, and other materials;➬ putting away school materials at the end of the lesson.

201

8- More able

students can play

the role of teachers’

assistants.

211

9- Split the class

into weak students

and more able

students.

221

10- Use technology?

➬ A large class will be better

off with social media where

students and the teacher

could meet at home.

231

11- Budget your own time

carefully.

➬ Teaching a large

class takes a great deal

of time and energy. If

you feel rushed or

overwhelmed, your

students will feel it.

241

12- Maximize classroom space by removing unnecessary furniture, and use space outside of the classroom as learning and activity centres. 251

13- Do everything

possible to get to know

your students.

14- Have your students

introduce themselves to

everyone in an interactive

manner. You introduce

yourself, as well.

261

15- Move around the class

when talking.

16- Be natural and personal

in class and outside of it –

be yourself !

17- Tell your students you

will be available before and

after class to answer any

questions they might have.

271

18- Try to learn students’

names.

19- Pay attention to

individual students.

20- Come to class early.

21- Use audio-visual

aids.

22- Accept that things

take longer.281

Thank you !➬The End !

North Sinai

English

Supervision. Collected by:

Ahmed Ma’youf 291