How to Accommodate a Large Class When Teaching Abroad

More often than not, while teaching English abroad, you’ll run into a common problem faced by many ESL teachers, especially those teaching in developing countries. This problem has perplexed teachers for some time and hindered their ability to teach effectively. Oversized classes are, unfortunately, a reality you might have to deal with while teaching English abroad. However, accommodating a large class does not have to be a burdensome task, with the right attitude, the right tools, and the right preparation, you can turn this to your advantage.

The first step in overcoming this challenge is to have the right attitude, a “can do” attitude. This is critical for several reasons; it will not only give you the necessary motivation to overcome the various challenges presented by a large class but also make you seem competent and confident in front of your class. The second step is to equip yourself with the right tools, this can range from games and books, to videos, group projects, and songs. And of course, it goes without saying, when preparation meets opportunity, you’ll have yourself a successful lesson plan. This preparation can take many forms, from receiving a TESOL certification from an accredited institution, to getting a MATESOL degree, and even taking online TESOL classes. However, out of consideration for time, here are a couple of suggestions to get you started on the right track.

Lesson Plan Creativity Index

The Lesson Plan Creativity index or simply LPT index, postulates that as the number of students, with different English efficiency levels, increases, the creativity of a given lesson plan also increases. The creativity of a lesson plan is proportional to the class size. English teachers can take advantage of this in several ways. For example, a larger class size allows the teacher to incorporate various activities into the lesson plan to accommodate for the different learning styles. While some students might learn best through visual cues, i.e. visual learners, others learn best by hearing and/or doing.

Consistency

The larger the class, the less time you’ll have to dedicate to each individual student. However this too can be an advantage. For example in an oversized class, you simply cannot let the flow dictate the structure. English for speakers of other languages is best taught through consistent, well organized, and structured lesson plans. A larger class size will force you to take the time out and really plan the structure of each lesson. Moreover the consistent approach will help reinforce the concepts you’re teaching.

Group Work

Creative ESL lesson plans

Do students learn better when working together? Several studies have shown that group work does in fact enhance student’s learning abilities. The use of small groups has been correlated to an increase in student achievement scores and comprehension. Students understand the class material much better when working in small groups. An oversized class allows you to break up students into small groups of 3 to 4. This way they can better practice their English in a small group environment instead of having to speak in front of the class.

Peer Teaching

A large enough class will naturally have students who understand the material much better than others. Often it’s quite difficult but critical to identify these students as they can provide much needed assistants, especially if you are not fluent in the host language. Therefore enlisting the help of peer teaching techniques and providing an opportunity for students to learn from each other can dramatically improve the learning environment.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any further questions about effective methods to teach large ESL classrooms in the comments below. Be sure to also search GO! Teach Abroad for TESOL programs and ESL jobs around the world!