[etni] Problems in multi-level classes

From: James Backer <drjamesbacker@xxxxxxxxx>
To: ETNI <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, David Lloyd <david@xxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:44:39 -0700 (PDT)
Greetings, all, 

The information presented in the Telegraph article about problems in mixed 
ability classes should come as no surprise. 


Not so far back, but before the NBA, Projects, and HOTS; there was a rather 
important discussion about heterogeneous classes, at the end of which the MOE 
decided that heterogeneous classes were preferable. (Or, was it a foregone 
conclusion with a discussion to explain it?)

If you remember before the policy change, teachers in "streamed classes" (i.e., 
classes at different ability levels) could more easily cater to the needs of 
the 
students because of the narrower gap between the strongest and weakest. But no, 
for some reason (perhaps budgetary) the MOE decided to create heterogeneous 
classes and proclaim them pedagogically better (and produced some documentation 
to support this view). 


I think we have seen the results here in Israel. Here's my hypothesis: In part, 
heterogeneous classes have lead to poorer teaching, poorer learning, and faster 
teacher burnout.

That may be a hypothesis worthy of some study. David, perhaps we could do a 
pilot for that study with a ENTI Survey. For the sake of creating good research 
questions, I suggest the following survey questions:

1. How do heterogeneous classes influence student learning EFL in Israel? 
Positively / Negatively / No influence / No opinion    


2. How do heterogeneous classes influence teaching EFL in Israel? Positively / 
Negatively / No influence / No opinion    


3. To what extent do heterogeneous classes influence teacher-burnout among EFL 
teachers in Israel? Contributes greatly  / Contributes somewhat / No influence 
/ 
Alleviates somewhat / Alleviates Greatly / No opinion

Jimmy




From: Michele Ben <mggben@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:37:55 +0200
Subject: [etni] interesting article - we're not alone!

About how mixed level classes can cause behavioral issues.  I especiially
like the part where it says that teachers are required t oplan at many
levels but that this is unrealistic because it is so time consuming.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8061983/Bad-behaviour-caused-by-mixed-ability-classes.html


      
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[etni] Problems in multi-level classes

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