Dear E,

I know what you mean. Where I am, we have classes of between 30 - 50 of mixed levels from reasonable speakers to "I don't know what you're speaking about" - even in my classes, which are the English Majors.

I've had to give up that there is "a" good way to teach to such diverse abilities. I have enlisted the help of a couple of pretty good english speaking students in each class who interpret when I can see there are blank faces which is at least once per lesson.

What I intend to put in place at the beginning of next semester and see if it works is to get the best students of each class - say 7 (my classes have 30 students) of them and have them be responsible for perhaps the comprehension level of 4-6 other students of lesser abilities.

My thinking is that is will not only be beneficial to the group leader in a leadership capacity but of course, beneficial to the group members. Selfishly, it will probably alleviate me of some stress too. Then, as (notice I don't say "if" the group members progress, I will reduce the group numbers by making other group members group leaders. It's a plan.

I think my students are great, even the resistant ones and yes my heart goes out to them and frustration sometimes comes with that. I'm sure you feel similarly about yours. As I said previously, I can see your desire to make a difference.

Ciao for now.

Rosalind