muhamedr
06-11-2010, 11:42 PM
Most teachers agree that teaching a small group of students is easier, more enjoyable, and less time consuming than teaching a large group. Unfortunately, due to budgets, space, or lack of teachers, many ESL schools only offer large classes. In some schools, large classes may consist of up to 50 or more students. While your class may look more like a University lecture hall, your job is not to lecture. Just like teaching a small class, you must come up with engaging activities that keep all of your students interested and participating with the goal of improving their communication skills. While there are numerous challenges when it comes to teaching large classes, there are many coping skills and activities that you can use to make your job easier.
Advantages of Teaching Large Classes
High Energy: Classes with many students may be noisy, but they are also fun and exciting.
Timing: Classes go by quickly in a large class, and you will rarely catch yourself looking at the clock. You will regularly find yourself with extra activities that you did not complete that you can save and use in your next class.
Participation: There is always someone who is willing to answer questions even if they are just guessing. Make sure to take answers from a variety of students.
Fillers: Teachers have less need for fillers since core activities and lessons take longer to complete.
Challenges of Teaching Large Classes
Intimacy: Remembering student's names can take a while. Teachers may feel that they do not get to know their students as well as they would like to.
Anxiety: Some teachers feel anxious being so outnumbered by the students. In addition, some students are afraid to ask questions or participate in a large class.
Student needs: Meeting individual needs can be difficult or impossible when class size is very large.
Marking: Grading assignments and tests can be very time consuming, and your pay will generally be the same for a smaller class.
Distractions: There are more distractions for teachers in large classes, such as latecomers and people chatting while you are teaching.
Preparation: Making photocopies for a large class can be very time consuming. Other teachers may be bothered by how much time you spend using the photocopier.
Noise level: Large classes can become out of hand when students are working in pairs or groups. At times you may feel more like a disciplinarian than a teacher.
Monitoring students: Teachers may find it difficult to keep students on task as they monitor pair and group work.
Space: There is limited space in a classroom for energetic activities such as role-playing.
Textbooks and resources: There may not be enough textbooks or computers available for all students.
Advantages of Teaching Large Classes
High Energy: Classes with many students may be noisy, but they are also fun and exciting.
Timing: Classes go by quickly in a large class, and you will rarely catch yourself looking at the clock. You will regularly find yourself with extra activities that you did not complete that you can save and use in your next class.
Participation: There is always someone who is willing to answer questions even if they are just guessing. Make sure to take answers from a variety of students.
Fillers: Teachers have less need for fillers since core activities and lessons take longer to complete.
Challenges of Teaching Large Classes
Intimacy: Remembering student's names can take a while. Teachers may feel that they do not get to know their students as well as they would like to.
Anxiety: Some teachers feel anxious being so outnumbered by the students. In addition, some students are afraid to ask questions or participate in a large class.
Student needs: Meeting individual needs can be difficult or impossible when class size is very large.
Marking: Grading assignments and tests can be very time consuming, and your pay will generally be the same for a smaller class.
Distractions: There are more distractions for teachers in large classes, such as latecomers and people chatting while you are teaching.
Preparation: Making photocopies for a large class can be very time consuming. Other teachers may be bothered by how much time you spend using the photocopier.
Noise level: Large classes can become out of hand when students are working in pairs or groups. At times you may feel more like a disciplinarian than a teacher.
Monitoring students: Teachers may find it difficult to keep students on task as they monitor pair and group work.
Space: There is limited space in a classroom for energetic activities such as role-playing.
Textbooks and resources: There may not be enough textbooks or computers available for all students.