View on the Issue of Mixed Ability

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Question: a) To what extent do you agree with each of Ur’s statements in your materials? What are your own views on the issue of mixed-ability? Do you think that mixed- ability groups always result in more successful SLA for learners? Or can the opposite seem to be true? Why? Draw on your own experience as a teacher or learner in order to prove or disprove each of her statements, providing concrete examples of classroom experiences/activities. Can you add any other advantages to her list? b) What other considerations have now come into play regarding this issue, especially those which have made the phrase ‘mixed-ability’ seem almost old-fashioned or unnecessary? A) In terms of materials, we as teachers know that most language textbooks are designed for a homogeneous classroom environment, but it should be expected that students react to the textbook differently due their individual differences brought by the multi-cultural population of the classroom – learners may come from different learning experiences and different family or social environments - which may be an obstacle for the teachers to reach and monitor every student and reach or fulfil their needs to achieve effective teaching. In addition, as language teaching course materials are currently based on content-based or theme-based syllabi, some students may find the textbook boring or difficult, whereas some students may find it interesting and simple to read. Therefore, it is necessary for teachers to be aware of the different interests, personalities, levels of proficiency, attitudes or motivations to evaluate, organise, arrange and adapt the materials according to his/her class. As the students could have different approaches to learning, they may respond differently to various teaching methods and classroom situations. Thus, learning in a Mixed-ability class might be seen, at first,
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