Students, regardless of age or ability level, learn at different rates and have widely varying interests, which makes any type of classroom teaching rigorous. When students of English as a second language are included in this group, the challenges are amplified: these lesson plans must incorporate learning tools that capture interest and attention while remaining applicable to students with English-speaking difficulties. However, such lessons are prime opportunities to expose English-proficient students to less conventional classroom activities and to help ESL students excel without feeling singled out.

Approaches for Teaching in Mixed Ability Classrooms

Prepare the classroom with appropriate materials, such as image cards or foreign dictionaries, if necessary. Time is the most valuable material to allot for as it is one of the most important requirements for ESL students to learn, so provide ample time for lessons. Do not individualize lesson plans (except in specialized cases), as this is more likely to cause feelings of stress or exclusion among struggling students.

Gear lessons around group-centered activities, and utilize proficient English speaking students as bonus aides for ESL students. This method, known as scaffolding, gives ESL students support in academic and verbal areas to promote learning. It also encourages independent learning, which is important for each student's individual learning pace.

Provide continuity. This means repeating core lesson ideas often. The lessons do not have to be identical, as variations can be just as effective, so long as the tasks and core instruction remain the same.

Provide materials and instruction from contextual sources. For instance, if your lesson is geared toward grammar, ensure resources highlight the differing grammatical structure of your ESL students' first languages versus English. If you're teaching botany, include information on non-native American plants ESL students may be familiar with. Variety is key to maintain individual interest. This approach allows students to learn at individualized paces via familiar means while ultimately reaching the same goal. ESL students do well in this environment because of the wealth of support and resources at their disposal.

The Round Robin Technique

Divide students into groups without regard to ability or language proficiency. Supply the students with copies of text you wish them to study: any subject can be used, such as math or science or, as in this instance, poetry. With poetry, change each line of the poem to a different font, preferably having as many fonts as there are students in the group.

Have the students read the poem silently to themselves and select a font they'd like to use. Once completed, have the students read the poem out loud to the rest of the class, each student reading the lines in his selected font. This is the first round of the round robin.

Instruct the students to individually create two questions to ask about the poem. Encourage them to write these questions down as best they can. Have the students begin a second round robin using the same poem, this time reading their questions after all students in the group are finished reciting their lines. Encourage classroom response to each question.

Assign each group to select two statements or reflections from students during the discussion phase, two lines from the poem, two images from the poem and two symbols.

Have each group create a poster board displaying their selected statements, lines, images and symbols. Require each student to take part in this activity. The groups take turns presenting their posters to the rest of the class, with each student speaking about his personal selection.