How to Teach Mixed-Ability Classes

Every teacher has struggled with a mixed-ability class. That is, a class that is comprised of students of different levels of skill and competence. Some students learn fast, others learn slowly. Some students have a lot of knowledge, others seem to ignore the basic concepts. Teaching to the "average" leaves everybody unsatisfied: some will feel anxious because you are going too fast, some will get bored because you are going too slowly!

Even the age of students influence their performance. Y...