If you’ve ever stared out at 60 students and wondered how you’ll survive the next 60 minutes, you’re not alone. Large classes are one of the biggest challenges in TEFL. The good news? You don’t need to be perfect - just prepared.
Here’s how to manage the chaos, keep your sanity, and even enjoy the energy of a big group.
First of all, a “large class” usually means 35+ students, sometimes as many as 60. These are common in public schools across Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
The challenges are universal - too many students to monitor, not enough time for everyone to speak, noise levels that rise like a jet engine.
That’s if you try and teach the traditional way.
Why large classes are challenging
Let’s name the beasts:
Noise: 40-60 kids in groups = loud. Silence doesn’t mean learning, but noise doesn’t always mean chaos either.
Mixed levels: Some students finish in 2 minutes, while others don’t understand the instructions.
Limited feedback: You can’t give every student the attention you’d like.
Important point: you didn’t create this problem. Large class sizes are systemic. Your job isn’t to control the impossible, it’s to guide the energy.
How to handle large classes: a practical guide
1. Set clear rules and routines
Keep rules short and positive: “Speak English,” “Respect each other,” “One voice at a time.”
Use signals: a clap pattern, raised hand, or countdown. Train students to respond fast.
Establish routines: how to start class, how to form groups, how to finish tasks. Predictability = calm.
2. Divide and conquer
Pairs and groups: Always break students into smaller units.
Group leaders: Appoint students to hand out papers, lead discussions, or collect answers.
Circulate: Move constantly between groups — it keeps students on task.
3. Use scalable activities
Choose activities where everyone speaks, not just a few volunteers. Some classics:
Class surveys: Students walk around asking questions.
Mingles: Rotate partners every 30 seconds.
Team competitions: Split the class into 4–6 teams for tasks like spelling relays or grammar races.
4. Keep Instructions Simple
Say it once, write it once.
Model the task with one student at the front.
Ask quick check questions: “Do we write or speak? Alone or in pairs?”
Top tips
Noise is normal: Don’t fight it — manage it. Aim for “busy noise,” not silence.
Rotate groups: Mix students so weaker ones don’t always rely on stronger classmates.
Don’t correct everything: Focus on the 2–3 errors most students make.
Celebrate effort: Praise small wins to keep morale high.
Large classes are tough, but manageable. You don’t need to control every detail — you just need to channel the energy. With clear routines, group activities, and a few clever tricks, even 50 students can feel like a class you actually enjoy teaching.
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