Differentiation Ideas for Mixed-Level ESL Classes
How to Support Every Learner in the Same Room
In many English language classrooms—especially across the Arab world—teachers face a common challenge: mixed-level students in one group. One student might write complete paragraphs, while another struggles with the alphabet. How do you teach both at once?
The answer is differentiation.
Differentiation means adjusting instruction to meet students' individual needs. It doesn’t mean planning 10 separate lessons—it’s about smart strategies that support every learner. Here’s how.
1. Use Tiered Activities
Design one task with three versions of varying difficulty:
Beginner: Match vocabulary with pictures
Intermediate: Fill-in-the-blanks using vocabulary in context
Advanced: Write original sentences or a short story using the words
Example: If the topic is “Weather,” beginners match sunny/cloudy/rainy to images; intermediates describe today’s weather; advanced students write a weather forecast.
2. Provide Sentence Starters
Help less confident students express themselves without getting stuck.
Basic: “I like _______.”
Medium: “I like _______ because _______.”
Advanced: “One reason I enjoy _______ is that _______, which makes me feel _______.”
Use these in writing, speaking, or partner work. They're especially helpful for Arabic-speaking students who translate mentally before speaking.
3. Group by Skill, Not Always Level
Try flexible grouping:
Mixed groups: Stronger students help others (great for review)
Same-level groups: All work on tasks suited to their level (great for new concepts)
Rotate groups weekly so students get exposure to both.
4. Differentiate Instructions
Offer directions in multiple ways:
Write and say them
Use gestures or images
Translate key terms into Arabic if needed (especially for new arrivals)
This supports students with different listening/reading levels.
5. Scaffold with Visuals & Translations
Use:
Picture dictionaries
Labelled diagrams
Bilingual word walls
Simple Arabic keywords (when necessary—not as a crutch, but as a bridge)
Example: When teaching “food,” show labeled pictures (apple, cheese, soup) instead of just the words.
6. Assign Open-Ended Tasks
Instead of one right answer, ask for a range of responses:
“Write about your weekend” → A beginner might write 2 short sentences. An advanced student writes a paragraph.
Let students work at their own pace and level.
7. Use Learning Stations
Set up 3–4 mini-activity stations:
One for grammar games
One for vocabulary
One for writing
One for listening (audio or video)
Students rotate through stations that match their needs. This keeps the class moving and avoids boredom or overwhelm.
Final Tips
Praise effort, not just accuracy
Give clear goals for each level
Keep instructions and routines consistent
Build confidence first—fluency will follow
Differentiation tailors teaching to students' varied needs, levels, and learning styles.
