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Some
people contend that mixed ability classes are more beneficial for children’s
development than streaming them on the basis of judgement about their academic
abilities. However, from my perspective, I disagree with this contention.
Admittedly, mixed
ability classes provide a better environment for children’s all-round
development. In such classes, children with different abilities study together
and in turn they can learn from one another. From example, a student, who is
good at academic study but weak in dancing or painting, can learn how to dance
or paint form his peers. In this sense, mixed
ability classes allow students to develop their abilities in different subjects
instead of only academic abilities.
Despite
the argument above, I believe streaming students brings more benefits to
teachers and students. As for teachers, separating children with better
academic abilities from others facilitates effective teaching. This practice
helps teachers to control their students more conveniently and easily. Compared
with mixed ability in which teacher should consider students’ differences when
they are using teaching methodologies, streaming makes this situation simpler.
To be more specific, students are at the same level of academic ability in a
class, and in turn teachers can use the same methodologies for them all. In
this way, the narrower the spread of ability in the class, the more convenient
the teaching can be.
On top of this, steaming enables students to learn in an
effective way. According to students’ different abilities, they are taught in
different ways that are more suitable for them. In the top streams, students
use more difficult materials, therefore, they can learn more. In sharp
contrast, teachers can explain the material more slowly to those in bottom
streams. Under this circumstance, students with different academic abilities
can study effectively and efficiently.
In the final
analysis, mixed ability classes are beneficial for students’ versatile
development, but in my opinion, segregating students based on different
academic ability is better for both teachers and students.
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