Some people think that language should be taught in small classes, while other people think the number of students in a language class does not matter. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
小班更好
Some people think that small classes are better for students to learn a language than large ones. I think that smaller classes should be preferred, if that is an option.
It has been proven that smaller class sizes are more conducive to language learning. The learning environment allows more personal interaction between a teacher and a student. Students generally receive more opportunities to ask questions, to contribute in discussions, and to practice with the teacher. Meanwhile, teachers have more time to individualize feedback for each student and can sometimes cater their instruction to individual students or small groups of students. In contrast, a class of over 100 students would make it difficult for a teacher to comment on most students due to limited time in class. As a result, only a small number of students can receive feedback.
Although larger classes are not the ideal preference for teachers, schools, or students, they still provide a better option than canceling oversized classes. Experienced language teachers would usually utilize a wide range of activities to engage more students in a big class.
Besides, feedback from peers could still be helpful when one is willing to reflect upon other students’ advice.
To conclude, it is still possible for a student to learn a language through various classroom activities in a large class. However, language learning is a subject that requires more interpersonal communication and professional instruction. If a language class only has one teacher, it is better to limit the size to guarantee better learning outcomes of individual students.