Teaching English to a class of 35: practical strategies that work

Multiply speaking time with pairs

If you ask one student a question, one student speaks. If you ask the class to ask each other, 35 students speak at once. Make pair work the default for practice. Model the exchange first with a confident student, then say "Make pairs. Ready, go!" and walk around listening.

• Fixed partners (desk neighbours) save time for short activities.
• Rotating partners for longer activities keep things fresh: one row stands and moves one seat along.
• Odd numbers: make one group of three, or join in yourself.

Give groups jobs

Groups of four work better when each member has a role. Try leader (keeps the group on task), writer (fills in the sheet), reporter (shares answers with the class) and timekeeper. Rotate roles every lesson so everyone gets each job. Roles stop one student from doing all the work and give quiet students a defined part to play.

Use signals instead of your voice

Shouting over 35 voices is exhausting and does not work for long. Choose one attention signal and use it every time:

• Call and response: "One, two, three, eyes on me!" "One, two, eyes on you!"
• A sound: a chime, a bell or a sound effect from the classroom screen.
• A raised hand: when you raise your hand, students raise theirs and stop talking.
• A countdown: "Five, four, three, two, one" in a calm, falling voice.

Practise the signal in the first week until the class responds within a few seconds. Then never give an instruction until everyone is quiet.

Check the whole class at once

In a large class you cannot ask every student. Use responses everyone gives together:

• Thumbs up, sideways or down for "How well do you understand?"
• Finger answers: "Is it A, B or C? Show me one, two or three fingers."
• Mini whiteboards or the back of a worksheet held up together.
• Stand up if your answer is "yes".

A quick look across the room shows you who needs help, without anyone being singled out.

Choose students fairly

In big classes the same hands go up every time. A random picker, name sticks in a cup, or seat numbers called out by a die make it clear that anyone could be chosen, which keeps everyone paying attention. Let students "phone a friend" in their group if they are stuck, so random selection never feels like a trap.

Use the screen and the board

Students at the back cannot see a flashcard held at chest height. Put pictures, timers and instructions on a projector or TV, and write key sentences large on the board. If the instruction is visible, students who missed it can catch up without asking.

Manage noise without killing energy

A large class speaking English will be loud, and that is a good sign. Set a clear level for each activity ("partner voices", "group voices", "silent") and show it visually. A noise meter on the screen lets students regulate themselves instead of waiting for you to complain.

Seating that helps

• Rows work for presentation and whole-class games.
• Pairs of desks turned together are fastest for pair work.
• Groups of four suit project tasks but take a few minutes to arrange; train the class to do it in under a minute.

Keep transitions short

Every change of activity costs time, and in a large class it costs more. Plan four or five activities rather than eight, give the instruction before students move, and use a timer for the transition itself: "You have thirty seconds to make your groups."

Tip: Walk around during pair work instead of staying at the front. Standing near a pair that has drifted off topic is usually enough to bring them back, and you hear real mistakes to address afterwards.