Just thought I'd share this strategy we've used in our program for mixed
literacy and oral fluency levels:
This class session we started a new class for students who are at a high
beginner/low intermediate speaking proficiency level but who are beginning
writers and readers.  Before, we tried to place them in class level that
fell somewhere between their oral and literacy skill levels, and most of
them ended up leaving our program because they either felt lost during
writing activities or bored during conversational activities.  So far,
almost all the students have stuck with the class and seem to really be
benefiting from it.  I guess this would only work if your program has enough
students who fall into this category to make another class and enough space
to do it, etc., but for us it's definitely been a worthwhile experiment.

Erin McNally
ESOL Program Coordinator
The Boston HERC
68 Northampton St.
Boston, MA 02118
617-606-4273