Large class size is a challenge faced by many teachers and learners around the world and is a particular issue in many developing countries where teacher recruitment has not kept pace with rapid increases in school enrolments. Investigations of large class size and other challenges involved in teaching in 'difficult circumstances' constitute the focus of our concern as a research network.

Full information about the TELC network (including information on how to participate) is available at our new website (bit.ly/telcnet-home)

Details of publications and links to other resources will continue to be maintained on the current page - see below

Publications:

NEW!

Smith, R., Negash, N., França, V., Wang, Q., Phyak, P., Ajjan, M., Kuchah, H.K., Saleem, M., Sarwar, Z., and Coleman, H. 2012. 'Investigating large classes' (panel discussion). In Pattison, T. (ed.) IATEFL 2011 Brighton Conference Selections. Canterbury: IATEFL. Pre-publication version here. Video of original panel discussion here.

Bibliography

Ajjan, M., M. Saleem and R. Smith, with X. Huang. 2010. Thematic Bibliography on Large Class Teaching / Teaching in Difficult Circumstances (2002 onwards). Online: bit.ly/telcbiblio1

TELC discussion papers

The following unpublished papers/notes have been contributed by TELC committee members for information / as a basis for discussion:

Coleman, H. 2009. 'Some recent thoughts on class size issues'.

Sarwar, Z. 2011. 'Project-based learning: overview and activities for large classes' (handout for TELC panel discussion at IATEFL 2011).

Wang, Q. and Zhang, N. 2011. 'Teaching large classes in China - English as a foreign language'.

Recent publications by network members

Coleman, H. 2006. 'Darwin and the large class'. In Gieve, S. and I.K. Miller (eds) Understanding the Language Classroom. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 115-135.

Kuchah, K. and Smith, R. 2011. 'Pedagogy of autonomy for difficult circumstances: Principles from practice'. International Journal of Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching 5/2: 119-139. Pre-publication version here.

Loo, Angelika. 2007. Teaching and Learning Modern Languages in Large Classes. Aachen/Germany: Shaker. ISBN 978-3-8322-6609-7.

Loo, Angelika. 2010. 'Large Language Classes'. Tapestries 4: 47-66 (Mingchuan University, Taiwan).

Phyak, P.B. 2011. 'Teaching English in large multicultural classes: a narrative enquiry'. In Pattison, T. (ed.) IATEFL 2010 Harrogate Conference Selections. Canterbury: IATEFL.

Shamim, F. 2010. 'Plenary: Teaching and researching English in large classes'. In Beaven, B. (ed.) IATEFL 2009: Cardiff Conference Selections. Canterbury: IATEFL, pp. 36-47. Associated talk here.

Shamim, F., Negash, N., Chuku, C. and Demewoz, N. 2007. Maximising Learning in Large Classes: Issues and Options. Addis Abbaba: The British Council. Available online: http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/ELT-16-screen.pdf

Smith, R. 2008. 'Taking the bull by its horns: Zakia Sarwar's pro-autonomy approach to large classes in Pakistan (Part I)'. Independence 44: 7-13. Also available online:http://www.learnerautonomy.org/zakiapart1.pdf

Smith, R. 2011. 'Teaching English in difficult circumstances: A new research agenda'. In Pattison, T. (ed.) IATEFL 2010 Harrogate Conference Selections. Canterbury: IATEFL. Pre-publication version here. Video of original conference presentation here.

Other links

Institute of Education (London) Class Size Research Project (1996+)

Benbow, J., Mizrachi, A., Oliver, D. and Said-Moshir, L. 2007. Large Class Sizes in the Developing World: What Do We Know and What Can We Do?. American Institutes for Research under the EQUIP1 LWA.

Australian Universities Teaching Committee (AUTC): Teaching Large Classes Project (2001)

Hywel Coleman: Learning and Teaching in Large Classes (including Large Class Bibliography, to 2002). New site under construction: http://www.hywelcoleman.com/index.html

Maley, Alan. 'The teaching of English in difficult circumstances: Who needs a health farm when they're starving?'. Humanising Language Teaching 3/6 (November 2001).

Pasigna, A. (1997). Tips on how to manage a large class. IEQ project. Institute for International Research.

Shamim, Fauzia. 1993. Teacher-learner behaviour and classroom processes in large ESL classes in Pakistan. Phd thesis, University of Leeds.

SPELT (Society of Pakistan English Language Teachers) Research SIG blog

Richard Watson Todd (ed.): Special issue of rEFLections, on Large Classes (King Mongkut's University of Technology, Thonburi, Thailand; Vol. 9 (2006))

Contacts:

TELC joint coordinators: Dr. Fauzia Shamim (fauzia dot shamim at yahoo dot com) and Dr. Richard Smith (R dot C dot Smith at warwick dot ac dot uk)