[OP10] student/teacher ratio

Younghee choi Sun Jun 01 2008, 12:56

[OP10]
Consider the following statement:
It is impossible to implement effective English language instruction in Korean schools on account of the student to teacher ratio in each class.
Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not? Use reasons and examples to support your opinion.

There are many obstacles that hinder effective English language teaching in Korean schools. I agree that the student to teacher ratio in each class is one of them which can affect the effectiveness of language instruction. The disadvantage of high student/teacher ratio can be observed on both student’s and teacher’s sides. There being too many students in class, students can’t get individualized attention from a teacher. Added to that, it is overwhelming for a teacher to plan an effective lesson and prepare teaching materials geared to boost a genuine interaction with students in a big class.

First of all, the high ratio of the student to teacher means that language teaching is made in a big class. It is likely that students in a big class can’t get individualized attention from a teacher. In Korean schools, there are usually 35 to 45 students in a class, which is a little big class for an effective language teaching. Although the student/teacher ratio is reduced compared to that of ten years ago, it is still high to have a communicative language learning which is a central goal of recent language instruction.

Secondly, a teacher may have a difficult time to come up with an effective lesson plan and prepare teaching materials for a big class. Incorporating collaborative activities can be impossible in such a big class because of the noise and distraction of students’ attention the activities may cause. In addition, it is burdensome for a teacher to lead an interactive teaching with students in a big class. Interaction with students is the most important thing to improve their communicative skills. When the student to teacher ratio is high, a genuine interaction with students is impossible because it is hard for a teacher to provide feedback to every student.

In short, on the teacher’s part, it is very demanding to carry out interactive activities for communicative skills in a class with high student/teacher ratio. As proven and experienced in many big classes, most teacher feel that lecturing is the most effective teaching in a big class. It seems that students also have inclination to focus on chatting with peers rather than studying when they feel that they are not under the teacher’s attention and control. Therefore, the Korean government should take into consideration that it is very significant to have small classes to have an effective language teaching and learning.