What is the best class size for EFL classes? Charles Jannuzi, University of Fukui, Japan The intuitive answer is most likely, the smaller the better. However, a more nuanced answer might have to consider issues that are not normally considered in such a discussion. For example, one issue for EFL that can be usefully related to class size is placement, provided that such placement is based on valid assessment of the students abilities, experiences with various task types, and motivation (which links to needs). This is especially important at the upper beginning to upper intermediate range of levels because at these levels students tend to become quite heterogeneous in their ability to learn in class, work together, and participate cooperatively in activities. Even their language abilities, although labeled under one term, such as 'high beginner', can be quite different and strengths and weakenesses can seem idiosyncratic. In my experience, it always seems that having place...
