What is the greatest advantage of working with students in a small group rather than one-on-one?

• A. students can learn by copying each other
• B. students are more likely to pay attention
• C. students can improve social communication
• D. students are less likely to exhibit negative behavior

Answer: (C)

Working with students in a small group creates rich opportunities for peer-to-peer interaction, which directly supports building social communication. In a group, students must listen to others, take turns speaking, share ideas, ask clarifying questions, and respond to different viewpoints. This authentic practice helps them interpret tone and nonverbal cues, adapt their language for different listeners, and negotiate meaning in real time. The more peers involved, the more models they hear and the more chances they have to practice coordinating ideas and maintaining a conversation, all of which strengthens social communication skills.

While copying, staying focused, or reducing problem behaviors can occur in any setting, the standout benefit of a small-group format is the meaningful, social language practice it provides. In one-on-one work, there are fewer peers to interact with, so opportunities to practice these social-communication skills are more limited.