Big schools get all the attention. With the potential for more facilities, it’s easy to flock to them as a choice for education. However, smaller schools tend to have fewer students — which means there are fewer students per grade, and the class sizes are smaller. It turns out that smaller class sizes have numerous benefits over large classes.
Student-teacher Relationships
In a classroom, it can be difficult for students to directly engage with the content and be drawn in by the topics. However, smaller class sizes allow for improved relationships between the teachers and the students. Not only are the professors able to directly address a small group of students, therefore creating a connection that enables better learning, but the students are more easily able to ask relevant questions to the teachers, and obtain better answers.
More attention to each student
To properly absorb class content, each student needs to be able to have their needs addressed and continuously learn how to improve. In a large classroom, this can be difficult — there may not be enough time to properly and completely attend to every student. However, when the class size is smaller, each pupil can receive meaningful and constructive feedback throughout the school year, allowing them to individually improve every aspect of their learning experience.
Personalized learning
When a professor teaches a large class, they usually have to generalize the content and have a more basic view of the topics. While this is a good way to teach, it may invoke less interest in the students and not allow them to deepen their knowledge on more specific topics they’re interested in. In smaller classes, however, the teacher is able to get a good view of the progress of the class and tailor their courses to allow extra attention to topics of difficulty. By properly comprehending the needs of a small class, the students are better able to advance.
More cohesion
Small classes allow for more cohesion between the students. With larger classes, the students may split off into separate groups, making it harder to establish a relationship with each other. By having a small class, students can work together as a single family, and not only form better relationships, but improve their learning through cooperation. Furthermore, it’s easier for the teacher to address students when they work together, as they pay more attention as a class.
Fewer disruptions
Let’s face it: teaching a class will always be met with some sort of disruption, some complication, and wasted time while waiting for everyone to settle in. Smaller classes simplify this issue a hundredfold. When there are just a few students in a class, fewer issues will arise, it takes less time for everyone to get to where they need to be, and the flow of the class will be smoother, allowing for more time to learn and a more consistent experience.
When looking for an international school, it’s important to consider every aspect of your choice. By considering the benefits of smaller schools, you can more easily find a proper school that will provide high-quality education.
Written by Leonardo, DP1 student