Effects of Combined Classes I will answer this question based on two aspects which are the teacher and

student aspects. Teacher: Some may view this matter as something that is very hard to the teachers. Why? It is because of the BURDEN. They might be saying that there will be more works that should be done. For your information, the combined classes are using the same syllabus as the normal classes. There is no specific syllabus provided by the Curriculum Development Centre for the combined classes. So, we have to modify the syllabus and make some adjustments so that we can teach the subject simultaneously. For example, if you are teaching the Year 4 & 5 together, you have to make sure that the content of the syllabus is suitable for both classes. So, I believe that this may be one of the reasons why some teachers view this matter as a BURDEN. Personally, I would be lying if I say that this is not true. However, in my opinion, this matter is not as bad as why some teachers think. Yes, it is very challenging but this kind of challenge is actually testing your credibility as a teacher, how good you are as a teacher. If you keep giving excuses, why did you choose to be a teacher in the first place? Eventhough teaching a combined classroom is very hard but I believe that you will be able to improve your ways of teaching, your creativity in teaching and a lot more. How did I know? Because I experience it myself. So, dont view this as a burden but view it as a challenge to improve yourself in becoming a good quality of teacher. Students: I have been teaching a combined classroom for almost 30 years. I notice that the pedagogy of teaching and learning in this kind of classroom is more towards learner-centered. More group work will be given so; the students are encouraged to be more active during the lesson. They will be able to discuss with each other and each of them will have chances to give ideas and opinions. Thus, I believe that this will eventually improve the students academic performances as well as their communication skills and confident level.

Strategies You have to choose a suitable strategy of teaching to be conducted during lesson. This includes the arrangement of classroom (tables & chairs), choosing the suitable teaching materials and the most important would be you method of teaching (teacher-centered/student-centered). All these aspects would determine whether your teaching and learning session will be effective or the other way around. As I have mentioned before, based on my experience the student-centered method of teaching would work better in a combined classroom. So, if you want to use this kind of method, you have to make sure that the sitting arrangement is suitable enough for this method. You can arrange the table in grouping arrangement so that it is easier for them to discuss and share ideas during the lesson. You also have to make sure that your teaching materials suitable for your lesson. For example, you are teaching a combined classroom of Year 1 and Year 2 and you want to give the students some worksheets, you have to make sure that the worksheets are suitable for both classes. If you set your questions too hard, the Year 1 students might not be able to answer them. So, you have to really look at it in order to make your lesson effective. Thus, I believe that these 3 are the basic strategies that would determine the effectiveness of your teaching and learning.