Which classroom arrangement involves two learners working together while the rest of the group observes?

• A. Open pair
• B. Pair work
• C. Small group
• D. Guided pair

Answer: (A)

Open pair is the arrangement where two learners work together while the rest of the class watches. This setup makes the thinking process visible to everyone, so observers can learn from how the two partners approach the task, articulate their reasoning, and use strategies out loud. The teacher can model thinking aloud, ask guiding questions, and provide timely prompts to the pair and to the observers, which reinforces learning through demonstration.

This differs from pair work, where the focus is on the two partners actively solving the task without a built-in audience for their process. A small group involves more than two students, so it doesn’t fit the idea of two people working while others watch. A guided pair adds teacher scaffolding to the two working together but doesn’t inherently emphasize public demonstration of the process for the rest of the class.