Short answer
Give early finishers a short extension linked to the lesson while you continue supporting classmates. In S06E13, Gav suggests asking learners who finish a reading task to highlight past modals in the text before the class reviews them together.
This small follow-up can keep learners engaged without asking them to rush or leaving others behind. In an online class, you can send the extension privately so that learners still working are not interrupted.
Try this in your next lesson
Prepare one extension for the lesson’s main text: find two examples of today’s form and explain how they work. Give it quietly to an early finisher.
👇 Scroll down for our practical checklist or activity and download.
Listen to the whole S06E13 discussion in our podcast episode guide here🔊.
Prepare a connected extension
Choose a task that builds on the same material: identify examples, write an extra question or prepare a short explanation. Keep it brief and relevant rather than adding unrelated busywork.
Use it to create a second look
After learners identify examples, invite them to explain what they noticed when the whole class is ready. This gives early finishers a purposeful next step and can help the group review the language.
Adapt for online lessons
You can share a short instruction in the chat or give it quietly while other learners continue. The aim is to add support without drawing attention away from people who still need time.
Use the same material for a deeper look
In the recording, Gav’s extension is to highlight past modals after completing a reading task. Em’s broader point also includes giving extra support to learners who need it. They use micro-teaching informally for these small interventions, rather than defining the teacher-training practice of teaching a short observed lesson.
Our suggested extension should be easy to pause when the class catches up. Ask for two language examples, a new question about the text or a short explanation of one answer. Do not make finishing early mean an endless queue of extra worksheets. Online, send the instruction privately and bring the useful finding back to the group when everyone is ready.
Our suggested classroom adaptation of the episode discussion.
Gav and Em suggest: give fast finishers a useful next move
- ☐ Keep the extension connected to the same lesson aim.
- ☐ Make it short enough that learners can stop when the class catches up.
- ☐ Ask for noticing, examples or a deeper question rather than simply more exercises.
- ☐ Give the instruction quietly or privately online.
- ☐ Do not reward speed by turning every early finish into extra workload.
📥 Download the free teacher practice card (PDF)
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