10 Practical Ways to Differentiate Material for ESL Students at Different Proficiency Levels

Let’s be honest—teaching ESL students at different proficiency levels in one classroom can be tricky. We all want our students to learn from each other, which is why they're often mixed together, but that can also create challenges. How do we keep the advanced students engaged while we give our beginners the extra support they need? If you've ever found yourself asking this question, you're not alone!

Here's the good news: Differentiation is your secret weapon. By modifying your lessons and activities, you can make sure all students are learning at their level—without anyone feeling left out or bored. 

Here are 10 practical ways to Differentiate Material for ESL Students

1. Vary Your Reading Texts

Reading is a core skill, but not every student is at the same level. For beginners, focus on texts with simple vocabulary and basic sentence structures. Intermediate students can handle slightly more complex grammar, and your advanced students will thrive on challenging, authentic texts.

Tip: Sometimes you can find the same story or topic at different reading levels, so everyone is working on the same theme but at their own level.

2. Adjust Assignment Length

This is a game changer! Beginners often need shorter, more focused tasks, while intermediates can handle mid-length assignments. Your advanced students can dig into more comprehensive or detailed work.

Tip: If time is tight, consider breaking one larger assignment into smaller tasks and assign different parts to different proficiency groups.

3. Use Tiered Vocabulary Lists

One vocabulary list does not fit all. While beginners need to focus on everyday words (like family or school), intermediates can move on to more descriptive words. Advanced students, on the other hand, are ready for academic or subject-specific vocabulary.

Example: For a unit on "The Family," beginners can learn words like mother and father, intermediates add aunt and uncle, and advanced students tackle phrases like family dynamics or extended family.

4. Provide Sentence Frames and Starters

I get it—sometimes your beginners need a little extra support just to get started. Give them sentence starters like “I see a _____” to help them form thoughts. Meanwhile, your advanced students can write full sentences on their own, adding in details and expanding on ideas.

Example: If your students are describing a picture, beginners can say, “This is a cat,” while advanced students might say, “This is a large orange cat sitting by the window.”

5. Modify Writing Assignments

Not everyone can write a full essay just yet, and that’s okay! Beginners can work on basic sentences, intermediates can handle short paragraphs, and your advanced students can dive into full essays.

Tip: Use graphic organizers to help beginners and intermediates map out their ideas before they start writing.

6. Offer Different Types of Questions

When assessing comprehension, make sure your questions are accessible to everyone. Beginners might benefit from multiple-choice or matching questions. Intermediates can answer short responses, and advanced students can tackle open-ended questions that encourage deeper thinking.

Tip: Mixing question types keeps everyone engaged and challenged.

7. Modify Speaking Activities

We all know speaking can be intimidating for ESL students, especially beginners. Keep it simple with scripted dialogues or basic conversations for beginners. Intermediates can participate in guided discussions, and your advanced students are ready for debates or group presentations.

Tip: Pair up students at different levels for peer practice. The advanced students get leadership opportunities, and beginners get extra support!

8. Adjust Listening Activities

Listening is another area where differentiation helps. Beginners need slow, clear audio with basic vocabulary, while intermediates can handle more natural-paced conversation. Advanced students? They’re ready for podcasts, news reports, or other real-world audio.

Tip: There are tools that let you slow down or speed up audio, so students can practice at their own pace.

9. Scaffold Grammar Instruction

Teaching grammar can be tough when students are at different levels. Beginners need to focus on basics like the present simple tense. Intermediates can move on to more complex tenses, and advanced students can tackle trickier structures like conditionals or complex sentences.

Example: For beginners, stick with “I like” or “I go.” For intermediates, add past tenses: “I went.” Advanced? “If I had gone…” you get the idea!

10. Use Differentiated Graphic Organizers

Graphic organizers are life savers when it comes to helping students organize their thoughts. Beginners can use simple organizers like T-charts, while intermediates tackle Venn diagrams. Advanced students? They can work with more complex tools like flowcharts to show relationships between ideas.

Tip: Add visuals to your organizers, making them even more accessible for beginner students.

In a Nutshell

It’s tough, right? Having students at all different levels in the same class can be a real challenge. But, if we focus on ways to differentiate, we can keep everyone engaged, challenged, and moving forward—no matter where they are on their language journey.

It’s not about giving some students busy work while you focus on others. It’s about providing the right level of challenge for each student. So, next time you find yourself wondering, How do I keep my advanced students busy while I work with the beginners?—remember these tips and know you’ve got this!

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