Top 10 Creative Ways to Teach English in Large Classes

Walk into any secondary school in Rwanda or across many African countries and you  are likely to see a packed English classroom. Fifty, sometimes sixty learners squeezed into a space meant for thirty. In this environment, teaching English can feel overwhelming. You may ask: How can I give each learner a voice? How do I keep them engaged?

The good news is, with the right strategies, large classes can become lively, effective, and even enjoyable learning environments. In this post, I am  going  to  give you 10 creative and practical ways to teach English in large classes, with examples drawn from real Rwandan and African classrooms.

1. Use group work strategically

Break learners into small, manageable groups of four(4) to six(6). Assign each group a task like writing a short dialogue, summarizing a passage, or solving a grammar puzzle. Group work helps reduce pressure on the teacher and increases learner participation. For example, in  my class,   I   use “expert groups” where each team masters one aspect of reported speech and then teaches it to another group. It works!

2. Apply the "Think-Pair-Share" technique

After asking a question, give students time to think individually. Then they pair up and discuss their ideas before sharing with the class. This keeps all learners involved, not just the confident ones.  Why it works?  It turns passive learners into active participants even in large rooms.

3. Use choral repetition with a twist

Repetition doesn’t have to be boring. Make it dynamic. Change your tone, rhythm, or volume and have students echo you. Add gestures or actions. Try incorporating Kinyarwanda intonation to teach question forms or sentence stress.

4. Create a classroom language corner

Designate one area of the wall for useful English phrases, grammar points, or vocabulary themes. Learners contribute to it weekly.  For Example: I have visited a  school  but what   I have  seen   amaze me.  Can you  guess  what I have seen? I  saw   a wall  where students decorate the it with their own sentences and mini-dialogues. It makes learning visible and interactive.

5. Use local stories and songs

Bring the learners' culture into the classroom. Use Rwandan folktales or African songs to teach grammar, vocabulary, and listening.   For examples, “Seburikoko” or “Ikivugo” performances can be transformed into English skits or translation challenges.

6. Set up rotating roles

Assign classroom roles: group leader, timekeeper, reporter, grammar checker, etc. This builds responsibility and gives each learner a sense of purpose.    With these learners feel valued, even when the class is large.

7. Incorporate movement and games

Use games that require standing up, moving to different corners, or forming human sentence chains. Movement helps learners stay alert and reduces discipline issues. For instance, African classic: The “Hot Seat” vocabulary game never fails especially with a little rhythm added.

8. Simplify with visual aids

Pictures, real objects (realia), and simple flashcards go a long way. When resources are limited, draw on the board or use printed materials creatively. For example, in  African , local newspapers  written   in English are great sources for cutouts and visual storytelling.

9. Use peer teaching

Let stronger learners support others. Peer explanations often make concepts clearer.  For instance, a teacher can  use a “buddy system” where older students coach younger ones during afternoon revision clubs.

10. Leverage low-tech solutions

When you do not have computers or projectors, try paper slips, mini whiteboards, and printed dialogue strips. They are cheap but powerful tools for interaction.  Note: Photocopies may be limited, but one copy can serve a group of six learners.

In conclusion, It is Not About Perfection, But Progress.  Teaching English in large classes is never easy. But it doesn’t have to be impossible. With creativity, community support, and commitment, even the most crowded classroom can become a space where English comes alive.  Remember,  you’re not alone. Whether you are teaching in Karongi, Kayonza, or Kampala, these challenges are shared across Africa. However, there  are the solutions and it starts with sharing, innovating, and believing that every learner deserves a chance to speak.