Teaching Mixed-Ability Groups — Strategies That Work (B2)
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B2 ⏱ 5 min
🎯 Teaching Mixed-Ability Groups — Strategies That Work
At the Star Casino I briefed teams where some people spoke fluent English and others were still finding their words. Same briefing, same team. Here’s how you make it work.
📖 3 Core Strategies
1. Tiered tasks — same topic, different levels of complexity.
Example: all learners read the same text, but A2 students answer factual questions, B1 students find implied meaning, B2+ write a critical response.
2. Peer learning — pair stronger with developing learners for specific tasks (not all tasks — avoid over-reliance).
3. Open-ended tasks — activities with no single correct answer allow everyone to participate at their own level.
Example: ‘Describe a time you felt proud.’ Everyone has an answer — the language level varies, and that’s fine.
🏨 The Casino Floor Method
Tiered tasks work because:
Open-ended tasks benefit mixed ability classes because:
Peer learning works best when:
In ____________ learning, stronger students work with developing learners on specific tasks.
____________ tasks give the same topic at different levels of complexity.
📝 Plan a Tiered Task
Independent project; not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Confers no qualification.
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