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In this unit, I learned about how to handle common problem situations and dynamics that might arise in a typical ESL classroom. In the first lesson of an ESL class, the teacher should take care to make note of the group dynamics (which includes whether the class is a new group or an existing group) and to use activities that establish rapport between the students and teacher (and between the students themselves if the class is a new group). The teacher should also find out information about the students themselves, what their needs and interests are in learning English, and what their levels of ability in English are. Ideally, the teacher would use a fun survey or a game (such as the pass the ball game) in order to do this, and then transition into a warmer that gets the students thinking and teaching in English without having to resort to the course book. Mixed-level classes can be challenging to teach, as the teacher may feel that he/she must decide whether to prioritize weaker or stronger students in the class. However, pairing stronger with weaker students, using multiple materials that are appropriate to the different levels of students in the class, and assigning tasks that vary in difficulty with the same materials may alleviate the teacher's burden. When faced with reluctant students, teachers can incorporate pair work, role-play, and controlled practice into the lesson in order to make the task of participating seem less daunting. With large classes, teachers can employ pair work, group work, worksheets, choral repetition, and appointing group leaders in order to keep all students engaged and interested in the lesson without feeling overwhelmed by the sheer size of the class. In order to make sure that students use English as much as possible, it is paramount to ensure that all instructions are clear and easy to understand and that all materials and activities are of an appropriate level. The teacher should also take care to only speak to the students in English and to remind the students that they should be speaking only in English. As listening exercises are notoriously difficult for almost all EFL students, this is an area that deserves special attention. Listening exercises should be carried out at the rate of the majority of students in the class, although if a class is having a particularly difficult time with a listening section, replaying the tape until almost uniform understanding has been achieved is the preferred course of action.
