Unit 31 - Grouping learners

What does ‘grouping learners’ mean?

There are different ways in which we can organise our learners in the classroom. Organising learners into different working patterns is what we mean by ‘grouping learners’.

Classroom problems	Some possible reasons
Learners misbehave, e.g. they use their mother tongue, become noisy, don’t do the activity.	Groups are too big; talkative learners are grouped with other talkative learners; friends are grouped with friends.
Learners are bored.	Learners are always in the same learner groupings.
Learners are very teacher-dependent.	Whole class work and individual work are the main learner groupings used; the teacher does not encourage or facilitate learner autonomy.
One or more learners dominate (has/have a strong influence on what happens/ other learners get less chance to participate actively)	In whole-class or individual activities, the teacher allows the same learner(s) to answer; in pair and group work, dominating learners are paired with learners who allow themselves to be dominated.
One or more learners don’t want to join in or participate.	There are few pair and group activities where learners are paired with other ‘shy’ learners or with learners with whom they feel comfortable.
Some learners don’t want to join in or participate.	Possible fast finishers are all grouped together rather than being mixed with learners of different working speeds.
Some learners are frustrated because they do not have time to finish the activity.	Slower learners are paired with slower learners.
Teachers are unable to monitor learners and learning successfully	The above problems mean that the teacher has to manage the class and deal with difficulties rather than monitor and promote learning.

Reference:

Spratt, M., Pulverness, A., & Williams, M. (2012). The TKT Teaching Knowledge Test Course Modules 1,2 and 3 (Vol. Second edition). United Kingdom: Cambridge English.