Differentiated instruction in L2 teaching: two extensive reading programmes conducted during COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose This study investigates two extensive reading (ER) programmes carried out in a secondary school in Beijing during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of analysing how differentiated instruction (DI) is reflected in the ER implementation and how this forced online learning inform foreign/second language (L2) pedagogy in relation to ER and DI.Design/methodology/approach Adopting an exploratory case study approach, the study collected data from multiple sources: interview with six students and two teachers; questionnaire survey (N = 74 + 27); teachers’ reflective journal; documents related to the two reading programmes. Data collection lasted for a semester (six months). Thematic analysis was used to code and interpret data.Findings Following the five-category framework for differentiated instruction (Tomlinson, C. A., and T. Moon. 2013. Assessment and Student Success in a Differentiated Classroom. Alexandria: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development), this study collects evidence of DI implementation in terms of content (three-tiered system of providing reading materials), process (personalised reading frequency and quantity), and product (diversified forms/platforms of presentation of reading results) of the reading programmes. However, due to the online teaching mode, DI was not fully reflected in aspects of affect (inadequate collaborative activities and interaction between students and teacher) and learning environment (lack of studying-together atmosphere). Results also indicate a widening gap between higher and lower achieving learners regarding engagement with ER activities due to differences in student autonomy and parental involvement.Originality/value This study provides some insights into differentiated instruction in ER implementation in the lockdown period, and proposes implications for L2 pedagogical design and innovation with a DI approach to ER.