How to Teach Newcomers and Long-Term ELs in the Same Class (Without Losing Your Mind)
It’s Tuesday morning. You’re about to start a writing lesson. One of your students just arrived from Venezuela last week and doesn’t speak any English. Another student has been in the U.S. for years and is reading near grade level. You're expected to teach them both at the same time—with one prep, no aide, and barely 45 minutes. Sound familiar?
If you’re teaching a mixed-level ESL class, you already know: it’s one of the hardest jobs in education.
But you don’t have to burn out trying to teach five different levels in one period. In this post, I’ll share simple ways to support newcomers and long-term ELs in the same class, without needing five versions of every lesson.
Why Is Teaching Mixed-Level ESL So Hard?
If you're exhausted, it's not because you're doing it wrong—it's because you’re doing so much right. Mixed-level classes often include:
Newcomers who don’t yet speak or read English
Long-term ELs who need support with writing and academic vocabulary
Students with interrupted or limited formal education
Advanced ELs who need enrichment
A wide range of cultures, languages, and learning needs
You’re not teaching one group—you’re teaching five at once. So let’s stop pretending one-size-fits-all lessons are going to work.
The Mindset Shift That Makes Everything Easier
If you walk away with one thing today, let it be this:
You don’t have to teach everyone the same thing in the same way.
You just have to make sure each student is moving forward.
When your class feels chaotic, remind yourself: growth is the goal. Not perfection. Not uniformity. Just progress.
3 Differentiation Strategies That Actually Work
These are simple, repeatable ways to make your multi-level ESL class manageable:
1. Same Topic, Leveled Tasks
Pick a shared topic—but assign texts, questions, or writing prompts at different levels.
Example: Everyone studies “weather,” but your newcomers use picture-word cards, while long-term ELs write a short paragraph using transition words.
✔️ Use sentence frames
✔️ Tier your questions
✔️ Let students respond in different ways (draw, write, speak, match)
2. Flexible Grouping
Break the class into small groups based on language proficiency or language function.
Rotate groups through 3 stations:
Teacher-led mini lesson
Partner activity
Independent work or tech
✔️ Keep groups flexible so you can shift as students grow
✔️ Assign roles to build speaking opportunities and accountability
3. Use Routines That Reduce Cognitive Load
A predictable daily structure builds confidence.
Example:
✅ Warm-up (visual or speaking prompt)
✅ Mini lesson (model + key vocabulary)
✅ Guided practice (sentence starters, visuals, cloze paragraphs)
✅ Exit ticket (verbally or on paper)
Even if the content changes, the structure helps your students feel safe and successful.
Tools That Save You Hours of Planning
The right resources can change everything. You don’t need a brand-new curriculum—you need materials that are:
Leveled by language proficiency
Scaffolded with visuals, frames, and supports
Engaging and age-appropriate
If you’re looking for ready-made ESL bell ringers, speaking routines, and scaffolded reading resources for mixed-level classes, I’ve created them for teachers like you.
Click here to explore my ESL membership and time-saving resources.
You’re Already Doing Enough
“You don’t have to teach everyone the same thing. You just have to make sure each student is growing.”
Teaching English learners at multiple levels in one class is not for the faint of heart. You are adapting, differentiating, supporting, and cheering your students on—all at once.
So if no one’s told you today: You’re doing enough.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
Want More Ideas?
If you’re looking for done-for-you lessons, speaking prompts, and reading activities for newcomers through advanced learners, check out my ESL teacher membership—built to give you back your time without sacrificing quality.
