Differentiating for Diverse Learners
(Melissa Arndt, Pedagogical Coach)
Coming off a long break like summer vacation often leaves language learners feeling rusty or hesitant. To build confidence and prevent overwhelm from day one, educators need strategies that support students at their current ability levels while fostering active participation.
In this 8-minute workshop, Melissa Arndt from the Robotel Pedagogical Team shares practical ways to differentiate instruction, scaffold practice, and leverage SmartClass tools to keep students engaged, supported, and motivated right from the start of the school year.
What You Will Learn:
- Leveling with the Smart Activity Builder: How to address mixed-level classrooms by creating or auto-generating activities tailored to specific CEFR proficiency levels (A1 to C1/C2) on the same core topic.
- Flexible AI Conversations: How modifying conversation formats (e.g., toggling between text, text-and-speech, or speech-only) and editing instructions helps lower speaking anxiety and ease students back into learning.
- Scaffolding via Segmented vs. Open Recordings: How transitioning students from simple "listen-and-repeat" segmented recordings to open speaking tasks builds foundational confidence before requiring spontaneous production.
- Differentiating with AI-Translated Instructions: How enabling native language translations for instructions removes comprehension hurdles for beginners, ensuring clear expectations.
- Extending Learning through Targeted Feedback: Techniques for combining auto-grading with written and oral teacher feedback—always highlighting positive achievement first before offering guidance for improvement.
