Large classes and how High School teachers and students perceive them

The main aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions of students and teachers in a large class. Perceptions regarding the environment, the material and the class in general. To achieve that, a qualitative process was used in order to obtain information to be able to answer the aims of this research project. The main tools for collecting the data were an interview to the teacher, questionnaires to some students as well as some observations in the classroom. All the instruments were used in order to obtain their own perceptions about themselves as well as each other: teacher-students and students- teacher. The teacher’s interview was recorded and transcribed and then analyzed and compared with the answers that students gave in the questionnaires.

The results were expected to contribute to the orientation of teachers who are teaching in similar situations. In addition, this paper aims to illustrate the common problems that can be found in this type of classrooms and see if more teachers identify themselves with this topic. The findings show the urgent necessity of knowing and implementing new and different strategies when teaching too many students, taking into account the environment and other different aspects which are found in high overpopulated schools. The results of this investigation showed that students are not totally satisfied with the teacher’s methodology as one of the most outstanding problems. It also showed the teacher’s perceptions about his students and their lack of interest, it also showed the limitations that a teacher has to innovate in a classroom overcrowded with at least 50 students.