When three or even four levels are combined in a single multi-level class, teachers face an exceptionally difficult task. A good enrollment cap for multi-level classes is 20 students. Students in the first and second years require far more direction than those in upper levels. If lower levels must be scheduled into a multi-level class, they should be scheduled with an upper level, not with each other. Scheduling the multi-level class at this time can give the teacher greater flexibility.
Students trying to work independently become distracted by hearing a different language.
Language teachers, who are not usually native speakers, become mentally exhausted switching from one language to another. Sometimes schools schedule small-enrollment levels into an unrelated discipline taught by the teacher. This is a very ineffective strategy. Many state education agencies and universities are trying to help small schools offer foreign languages through interactive video courses delivered via satellite or microwave transmission. Teachers and administrators in small high schools can check with the foreign language consultants in state education agencies, who are excellent resources for learning more about technologically-delivered foreign language offerings.