Why High School English Language Programs Fail (and How to Fix Them) Students aren't Grouped Effectively

Let’s be honest.

It’s hard to stay positive when your English language program loses another teaching position. When you're asked to serve more students with fewer resources. When your classroom roster reads like a puzzle no one gave you the pieces to solve.

Teachers are exhausted. You’ve sat through meetings where the decisions being made don’t reflect the reality of your day-to-day. You’ve watched newcomer students placed into high-level content classes because “there was no other option.” And maybe—after all of that—you’re still expected to differentiate across six language levels in one class, with no planning time and no support.

It’s okay to feel frustrated. Angry, even.

My brother has a rule he lives by. He calls it the 10-minute rule:“When something really bad happens, I give myself ten minutes. I let myself feel sorry for myself. I sit in the frustration. But then—I stand up, dust the dirt off my shoulders, and get back to work.”

Maybe that’s where we are. We deserve our 10 minutes. We deserve to feel it. But after that? We build.

We can’t control politicians. We can’t fix budgets. But we can shift our energy to the systems we build within our walls. We can get smarter about how we structure our classrooms.

This article offers creative, research-backed ways to manage multi-level English learner classes—even with reduced staffing—by focusing on grouping, rotational models, and personalized instruction. And while we center on high schools, many of these practices can and should be adapted for middle school as well.

Embracing Flexible Grouping: Strategies and Evidence

Flexible grouping allows educators to tailor instruction based on students' specific needs, skills, and interests. Here are several research-backed strategies to consider:​

1. Stations

The station rotation model involves students rotating through various learning stations, each designed to target different skills or learning modalities. This approach has been shown to enhance student engagement and achievement.

• A study conducted in Malaysian schools demonstrated how stations and gamification to improve engagement.

• Another study conducted in Egyptian preparatory schools found that the station rotation model significantly improved students' writing performance, including aspects like fluency and coherence.

  
  

2. Peer Teaching Structures

Leveraging peer instruction can be particularly beneficial in EL classrooms. Structured peer interactions not only reinforce content knowledge but also build language skills and confidence.​

• This article discusses the benefiuts of peer instruction on student learning.

• Research indicates that peer instruction enhances learning through improved explanation coherence and social learning dynamics.

• One synthesis of studies on peer-mediated interventions with ELs demonstrated positive effects on academic outcomes across various grade levels. This article gives an overview of the different methods used in grouping, peer instruction and their impacts on student learning.

  
  

3. Skill-Based Grouping

Grouping students based on specific skills—such as reading comprehension, vocabulary, or writing—allows for targeted instruction that addresses individual learning gaps.​

• A study analyzing ability grouping in secondary schools found that such practices, when implemented thoughtfully, can improve academic outcomes, especially for socio-educationally vulnerable students.

  
  

4. Targeted Intervention Blocks

Utilizing existing school structures, such as advisory periods or tutorial sessions, for targeted interventions can provide additional support without overhauling schedules. The real variable that the success of such a structure depends on, is in how intervention blocks are implemented. It is really easy to implement a structure. It is hard to do it well.

Implementing flexible intervention blocks ensures dedicated time for students to receive remediation or enrichment based on their evolving needs. This guide gives important tips to implement an intervention structure well.

5. AI-Powered Personalized Learning

Integrating AI tools can offer personalized learning experiences, adapting to each student's proficiency level and learning pace.​

One systematic review highlighted the varying impacts of AI-driven Intelligent Tutoring Systems on learning and performance in K-12 education. It should be noted, however, that because of the nature of AI models, tutors are becoming increasingly humanlike and engaging, and therefore more effective.

Another resource from the Office of Educational Technology offers insights and recommendations for implementing artificial intelligence into your school.

AIR Language is currently developing an AI language assistant named Ari. Her current version is available for student use for free on AIRLanguage.io.

To learn more about Ari, click here.

Implementing Effective Grouping in Your English Language Program: Practical Considerations

When applying these strategies, consider the following grouping criteria:​

• Language Proficiency: Group students with similar proficiency levels for targeted language instruction.​

• Skill Needs: Form groups based on specific skill deficits or strengths, such as grammar, vocabulary, or reading comprehension.​

• Interests and Backgrounds: Incorporate students' interests and cultural backgrounds to enhance engagement and relevance.​

• Age and Grade Level: Ensure that groupings are developmentally appropriate, especially when mixing students across different age groups.​

Flexibility is key—regularly assess and adjust groupings based on student progress and feedback.​

By focusing on adaptable grouping strategies, educators can create more inclusive and effective EL classrooms, even amidst resource constraints. These approaches not only address diverse learner needs but also foster a more engaging and supportive learning environment.​