ABSTRACT
Every nation, where English is the first language, faces a challenge in motivating students to continue studying other languages to a higher level. This chapter considers the issue of grouping by ability or prior attainment, and how teachers might do the best for students with lower motivation and/or lower aptitude for language learning. The range of ability in second-language learning is huge, so that many schools choose to group students by ability at some stage, some from the very start. The chapter also looks at approaches which might better suit students with special needs and also for high-attaining students. The general principles of language learning apply to nearly all students: exposure to understandable TL, practice, the four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), interaction and recycling. These days most teachers are trained to deal with a range of specific needs, notably dyslexia. In addition, all schools should have a coordinator who shares information and advice about specific students.
