Hello,
I have to do a teacher workshop to fill my hours and I have the above situation. I need to cater to the false beginner because the guys that are fluent are my coteachers and are just there to fill the numbers.
I have no idea what to do because I'm so mortified to do phonics(basic English) with teachers that have no problems conversing. I have to have lessons that the beginner can understand though, but I have no idea what to do with the intermediate teacher and of course my coteachers.
flip the classroom. give them the info needed to self study and use the class time as a conversation / practice class. Tailor any conversation topic to the activities given to the low level learner's home study. During the class, make sure to board any interesting language and make sure the lower level student takes note.
Engage the higher students, but offer simplified questions to the lower student so they feel included.
Every topic has a grammar point that works best with it, so make sure there is a grammar focus (that all can pick up on) in each class.
