strategiesofaccommodatingmixedabilityclassesinefl.docVIP

Strategies of Accommodating Mixed Ability Classes in EFL Settings: Teachers’ Armour in an Ongoing Battle. Maria Xanthou and Pavlos Pavlou Maria Xanthou hold a BA in Education from Athens University, and an MA in Education (Educational Management) from Bath University. She also obtained Adv Cert TESOL Applied Linguistics from Leicester University and an MA in Applied Linguistics from University of Cyprus. Currently she is a PhD candidate. She has been an EFL teacher since 1991. Since 2002 she has been the co-ordinator of EFL teaching in Primary schools of Cyprus. E-mail: mxanthou@.cy Pavlos Pavlou holds a BA in Linguistics, M.A. in Applied Linguistics and Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics. In 1991-1992 he was a research Assistant at the Center for Applied Linguistics (USA) in the Foreign Language Testing Division, then in 1992-1993) he was an instructor of Introductory Linguistics at Georgetown University and in 1994-1996 a senior Lecturer and coordinator of the foreign languages programme at Intercollege, Cyprus. Since 1997 he has been an assistant Professor at Department of English Studies, University of Cyprus. E-mail: ppavlou@ucy.ac.cy Menu Abstract Introduction Active learning Homogeneous grouping Heterogeneous grouping - Cooperative learning Open-ended tasks – Communicative based learning Language games and stories Differentiating students’ work in mixed ability EFL classes The study Method Participanats Hypothessis Apparatus Results Implications – Discussion Limitations - Directions in future research Conclusions References Appendix Abstract In many EFL settings English instruction is provided both by the public and the private sector, and in some cases, such as Cyprus, many children start learning English in private schools before they attend English classes in state schools. This practice is an additional factor in the creation of mixed ability classes in state schools. The current study focuses on how teachers deal with mixed ability classe