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Often, English language classes will have a range of ages, most likely, coinciding with different levels of English proficiency or fluency. A beginner class may contain people who study English in their free time or at home, along with people who know no English at all. Lack of staff or resources may result in intermediate students being placed with beginner or advanced English learners. In order to teach everyone in the class effectively, lessons will need to be balanced to cater to the demographic in the classroom. For example, if an English course was available for a community college- the age could range from high schoolers to retired individuals. The experience of language may vary anywhere from a high schooler knowing more English than a college student, to a senior knowing more than a high schooler. Once the course begins, the first assignment would be to take a diagnostic test to see what level each student is at as well as a classroom majority. For homework, a quiz would be sent home (preferably in the native language) to find what interests people may have to better direct lessons and supplemented material to engage and motivate students. Topics like music, pop culture, and current events will overlap in interests with different generations. Once lessons start, there are several ways the classroom could be divided up, for the entire semester or for individual lessons. For one class period, if the assignment was to have a discussion- people with similar interests could be grouped together to discuss a topic; allowing a chance for different language levels to interact and advance students to help beginner students. Every activity should take the language differences into consideration. For a lesson that may be advanced, a beginner student could pair with an advanced student. Students can help each other learn to an extent, but that should not fall solely to them and there needs to be time for the teacher to present lessons and cover material that may be required in the curriculum. The class itself should be divided into different grades to help when it comes time to grading and assignments. After a lesson, beginner students may have an easier task – labeling a picture or conjugating verbs, where an advanced student may write a paper or dialog. Additionally, if beginner students need more help, they could have more individualized time while advanced students work on a project or after class. Each lesson should include speaking, writing, and visual aids to helps students who learn from different methods as well as those who understand different aspects of communicating in English. Activities like word searches, role plays, stories, and songs are all things that can be used across different age groups with great success. Across all age groups, competition is a great motivator and so games should be utilized as well, especially the competitive variety. One competitive game could be a game of telephone, the team that hears the correct phrase the greatest number of times wins. Although teaching students with age differences may be difficult, it is something that is not only common but that can be done. Teachers may benefit from learning from students, as well as the relaxed atmosphere to make the adults feel more comfortable and equal to the instructor, as well as watching how students interact and teach with one another.
