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Use technology intentionally throughout the process of teaching and learning

Incorporate technology into each stage of instruction: planning, lesson delivery, practice and review, assessment, and feedback

Considerations: tell parents which assignment will require technology use, start a tech lending library, use tools that don’t require a device for each student

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Film and Video

Apps

Digital field trips

Podcasts

Pen Pals

Web quests

Online games

Blogging

Skype

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What are some best practices for integrating technology to support ELLs?

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Using technology enhances motivation and confidence

Using technology to incorporate visuals and videos into a lesson provides necessary context to help students understand new concepts

Visuals provide necessary bridge between everyday language and more difficult academic language

Technology allows students to show what they have learned in multiple ways, which also leads to more accurate assessment

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Supporting English Language Learners with Next-Gen Tools

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Supporting English Language Learners with Next-Gen Tools

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Provides a list of many technology tools, a brief description of the tool, best practice/ideal use for the tool, and grade level(s)

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Supporting English Language Learners with Technology

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Supporting English Language Learners with Technology

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This year, seven out of the 20 students in Jennifer Monroe´s first-grade class in Harlem, New York, are English Language Learners (ELL). Although Monroe speaks Spanish, she has never received training to support these students. "They are in need of vocabulary that I don´t have time to give them," she says.

Her situation is typical in schools and libraries today. ELL students are the fastest-growing K-12 population in the country, yet professional development for educators has not yet caught up. Fortunately, technology offers some easy ways to help these students build vocabulary, achieve reading fluency, improve comprehension, access curriculum content, and strengthen their home-school connections.

Image Galleries

To assist students who are learning English, preview each of your lessons and support the text you are reading with suitable images from the Internet. Images will provide contextual clues and help ELL students determine meaning. Google's image searches, for example, allow you to search via key words for photographs and illustrations, which can be easily downloaded and printed. For students needing additional vocabulary support, picture dictionaries are available at Enchanted Learning.

Multilingual Books

Research shows that if students have literacy in their primary language, they are able to transfer those skills to reading in English (Snow, Burns, Griffin, 1998). But locating multilingual books can be a challenge - and buying them can be very expensive. Instead, invite students to publish their own multilingual books using Microsoft Word, as in the Toronto-based Thornwood Public Schools' Dual Language Showcase. Students in this district - which is home to 40 languages - create their own books and post them online. These ELL students also receive kits with corresponding multilingual books and audio tapes to share with their families. Another option for building fluency: one of the many integrated audio and software programs available.

Multimedia Projects

In the upper-elementary and middle-school grades, students study content areas in greater depth and are exposed to more complex vocabulary and complicated concepts. With just a textbook, ELL students may experience enormous difficulty. Multimedia projects offer students hands-on, engaging ways to explore the scientific content and concepts presented. For example, the Jason Project guides students through an experience-based science curriculum with video, live satellite broadcasts, and online activities including digital labs and electronic journals.

Juliette Heinze, a former bilingual teacher, is a research associate at the Center for Children and Technology. This article was originally published in the November/December 2004 issue of Instructor.

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Supporting English Language Learners With Technology | Scholastic

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This year, seven out of the 20 students in Jennifer Monroe´s first-grade class in Harlem, New York, are English Language Learners (ELL). Although Monroe speaks Spanish, she has never received training to support these students. "They are in need of vocabulary that I don´t have time to give them," she says.

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Technology to Support English Language Learners

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Technology to Support English Language Learners

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English Language Learners (ELL) represent a growing population in our schools. Teachers can look to educational technology tools to help support ELL students in their classrooms. Over the years, a number of websites and subscription services have emerged specifically geared to this population of learners. The following post focuses on free web tools that can support vocabulary and literacy skills in the general education environment.

Vocabulary Development

Pictures and visuals can help English Language Learners to master vocabulary.

TheNounProject boasts an enormous, searchable icon library. Teachers can download PNG versions of icons and for free, provided they cite the source, or subscribe as an educator unlimited use and the ability to customize colors.

Google AutoDraw uses artificial intelligence technology to recognize what you are trying to draw by offering icon suggestions allowing teachers to quickly develop visual aids.

Learning Chocolate is a vocabulary learning website that groups words and provides images and audio clips to help kids learn the pronunciation of common words.

Literacy Resources

The following sites provide free stories or articles to increase literacy with ELL students.

- Open source digital repository of multilingual stories for children with illustrations, sorted by reading level, read along or read aloud (audio versions w/ highlighted text). To get started, take a look at their Storyweaver curated lists here.

Rivet - Over 2,000 leveled books with reading support. Tap on any word for definition, pronunciation and translation in another language. Available on Chromebooks, iPads and Android.

TweenTribune - Find engaging non-fiction articles for students in Grades 5-8 or for younger students and emerging readers, caters to grades K-4. Teachers can select from a range of Lexile reading levels allowing students to read and discuss the same topic.

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Technology to Support English Language Learners | Teaching Forward

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English Language Learners (ELL) represent a growing population in our schools. Teachers can look to educational technology tools to help support ELL students in their classrooms. Over the years, a number of websites and subscription services have emerged specifically geared to this population of learners.

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How to Determine if Assistive Technology is Right for your ELL Students

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How to Determine if Assistive Technology is Right for your ELL Students

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Learning the fundamentals of reading is critical for children and anyone learning to comprehend the basics of language acquisition beyond hearing and mimicking sounds, but assistive technology for English language learners, or ELL, may give these students a firmer understanding of what they are reading.

Reading without comprehension has no value for students in the long term; therefore cementing the meaning of words as students learn to read and acquire language is a key component to helping language learners continually build their knowledge base.

One important question for educators to ask themselves is whether or not a student is not grasping the ideas and meaning behind the words due to laziness or whether that student needs some type of additional assistance to further their ability to think critically about what they are reading.

What are Some Assistive Technology Tools Available for ELL Students

Since educators can only give so much individualized attention to any given student in a full and lively classroom, assistive technology is an excellent tool to help support a struggling student's efforts in increasing their knowledge of the English language. Such tools can be purchased as software by the school system, and online websites and even games are all set to assist a teacher's efforts to help a student who wants to find the proper tools for reading comprehension and efficient-to-excellent English language acquisition. With all of this, assistive technology helps the teacher understand the progress of a student and helps guide them toward future efforts with a given student.

How to Determine if Assistive Technology is Right for ELL Students

If an educator has a question about a student's English language learning skills, there are ways to determine the nature of them as well as whether or not assistive technology is right for their ELL students in question. The following are a few ways to help in the determination process.

Assess Each Student on an Individual Basis

In order to obtain a full and accurate picture of a student's language learning ability, it is important to assess that student as an individual, according to their own educational background as well as any strengths, challenges and weaknesses.

Take a 360 Degree View of the Student's Learning Abilities

Enlisting the right team members will be a fair way to assess a student's learning abilities such as a speech therapist, the parents, the school psychologist, the ESL teacher and the primary teacher for the student. Taking this global approach helps create the clearest possible image of the student's English language learning capability. A student's challenges may lie in any one or more of these areas, so it is good to rule out as many mitigating factors as possible with the right professionals on hand.

Tap into the Student's Educational and Personal Background with the Parents

Ask the parents to be an integral part of their child's English language learning by seeking out details of their child's previous educational experiences. Trying to learn previous classroom reading and comprehension problems may prove a helpful guide for the teacher by showing them how to proceed. Perhaps a previous teacher found a specific method of teaching that did or did not work to help the student; this information could help reduce time spent on seeking solutions that have already been attempted and either succeeded or outright failed. Parents may also be able to give insight into events or anything that may trigger learning anxiety for their child that may inhibit their ability to acquire and retain vital daily information.

Assistive Technology Tools in Action

If a child is determined to need assistive technology for English language learners, there are plenty of tools available to streamline the process for everyone involved. The following are a few effective assistive technology tools.

With Read:OutLoud, a reading comprehension supportive text reader, spelling tools and a draft writing kit, this package offers a little bit of everything to help those trying to improve their language acquisition skills.

This online website offers students the chance to interact verbally and gain a deeper insight into the language. Since many times students spend a great deal of a day listening only, it is important to find outlets for them to speak and make sense of the language from their own unique perspective.

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Assistive Technology for Your ELL Students

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Learning the fundamentals of reading is critical for children and anyone learning to comprehend the basics of language acquisition beyond hearing and mimicking sounds, but assistive technology for English language learners, or ELL, may give these students a firmer understanding of what they are reading.

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How to Use Technology Effectively to Transform your ESL Classroom

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How to Use Technology Effectively to Transform your ESL Classroom

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What comes to mind when you hear the word "technology"?

Did you imagine computers? Smart phones? Apps?

Or perhaps GPS? The Wii? Internet? TV?

Netflix, anyone?

All right, now picture yourself in a classroom teaching students. What does the word "technology" look like in this situation? How can it be used to create effective learning?
If you're not exactly sure, then you're in the right place, because we're going to show how you can transform your ESL classroom using technology.
There's no doubt about it, technology integration is currently one of the hottest buzzwords in education.

With so much focus on educators implementing technology in their classrooms, at some point we're prompted to ask a critical question: What is technology integration, really?

What Is Technology Integration?

The answer to this may seem obvious, but in all actuality, the question is a valid one.

Although schools and districts are increasing their technology budgets and reportedly spending big bucks on teacher professional development, equipment and personnel, studies show that the educational arena lags behind other sectors in the quality and frequency in which technology is merged into day-to-day operations.

Despite the fact that we are living in the "age of technology," many teachers still remain uncomfortable with the idea of integrating it into classrooms. This is due to several factors, including lack of preparation and tools, negative perceptions about technology in general and a lack of buy-in regarding the effectiveness of classroom technologies.

Furthermore, even those teachers who are 100% committed to integration often aren't comfortable with doing it effectively.

In order to combat these issues with technology in education, we must clarify what technology integration is and is not. Simply put, technology integration is just that, the practice of integrating or interweaving technology into teaching and learning.

It is critical to add, however, that there is a significant difference between implementing technologies on a surface level and actually intertwining it in a way that produces maximum results for teachers and students. What this means is that simply directing students to complete a separate internet activity or sending them to the "technology station" alone may not be the best use of educational technology.

Oops.

Instead, there are ways that technology can be intentionally used throughout the process of teaching and learning, so that it plays an active role rather than being an afterthought. After all, today's educators have the tools to incorporate technology into each stage of instruction: planning, lesson delivery, practice and review, and assessment and feedback.

When done thoughtfully, technology does not only drive the curriculum, but the advantages are numerous and undeniable.

Benefits of Technology Integration in English Education

Now that we understand what technology integration is, we can take a look at why we'd want to incorporate it into the ESL classroom. We'll look at the specific benefits for English language learners (ELLs) and also highlight some useful tools that maximize those benefits for our students.

1. Increases student engagement and motivation

The first, and perhaps most obvious perk, is that technology can dramatically - and oftentimes instantly - increase student engagement. Today's learners are functioning in an age where technology drives almost every aspect of their lives. Technology is exciting, fascinating and ever-evolving, and when used thoughtfully, it can transform even the most mundane lesson into one that is powerful and thought-provoking.

For English language learners, increasing motivation is especially significant. Teachers of ELLs understand the major role that motivation plays in the success of language acquisition and are continuously seeking ways to increase student engagement and excitement.

Technology is one great way to motivate learners while simultaneously offering a host of other benefits.

One great way to get your students motivated is with FluentU, a new way to learn real English with real-world videos like music videos, movie trailers, news, and inspiring talks. FluentU takes fun videos and transforms them into English learning lessons.

2. Offers mobility

Think about this: Technology is to education as mobility is to technology. (Don't worry, you'll get it by the time you're finished reading this section). As consumers, it isn't enough to have access to unlimited information, entertainment and communication tools if we are limited to where we can access these tools. The idea of on-the-go access can be a great thing for ELLs, especially considering that for most ESL students, the most authentic experiences with the language often happens outside of the classroom.

Additionally, this focus on mobility has eliminated the rule of course materials being confined to a textbook and/or classroom. Now, teachers can incorporate tools into their lessons that allow materials to be accessed on smartphones, laptops and tablets. Alerts, notifications and online communication tools keep students thinking about the material long after class if over.

In addition to the ideas we'll discuss in this post, you can gain knowledge about how to make use of whatever technology tools your class already has available with ed2go's Integrating Technology in the Classroom. This online course touches on special concerns for English language learners and BYOD (Bring Your Device) classrooms. It will get you up to speed on everything web and mobile technology has to offer you and your students.

3. Teaches students valuable tools for the future

It is clear that technology age has not only arrived, but it's here to stay. In the future, the most basic tasks will require a high-level of technological skill. With that understanding, it is important to make sure that our students are well-versed in technological tools, skills and language.

The best way to make sure that students can keep up with the fast-paced advancements in technology is to give them continual experiences with the tools and programs available today.

After all, the goal of teaching ESL is to give students what they need to function in a global environment by teaching a global language. With that goal in mind, it is also important to consider that besides actually learning the English language, one of most important prerequisites to success in an English-speaking workplace or learning environment is the ability to navigate technology efficiently.

4. Can be a time saver for teachers

When advantages of incorporating technology in the classroom are examined, the advantages for educators are often overlooked or undermined. However, technological tools for teachers is a hot market all by itself and for good reason. Technology can be a huge time saver for teachers and can make some of the most difficult tasks quick and easy.

So, instead of viewing technology integration as one more thing to add to your fast-growing to-do list, look at it as a beneficial tool. Make the technology work for you!

5. Promotes learner independence

One of the greatest benefits of technology integration in education is the ability it offers for independent learning. Although technology can and does not replace an effective teacher, it does give students access to some of the supports that a teacher would provide.

Text-to-speech features or interactive textbooks enable students to read and enjoy books above their actual reading level by reading and defining unknown words. Online tutorials and apps like Knowmia allow students to access teacher tutorials in the comfort of their own home.

6. Provides students access to target culture

When learning a language, experience with the target culture helps to develop context and makes learning the language more meaningful. Thanks to technology, students can benefit from experiences to which they otherwise may not have access. Whether they are visiting social media sites, reading or listening to the news or participating in online discussions, these experiences are rich and meaningful.

Useful Technology Tools for the ESL Classroom

To help you get started with - or to further - your technology integration, here are a selection of valuable and convenient tools to use in your ESL classroom.

Content-specific tools

Comic Maker
Marvel.com has a comic maker that allows students to create their own characters and write their own comics. Comics are a great way to get in some entertaining reading and writing practice.

FluentU immerses learners in English through videos and real-world interactions. It is especially helpful in that it gives students quality independent practice and offers valuable exposure in a way that is fun and appealing, yet effective.

FluentU offers a huge collection of authentic English videos that people in the English-speaking world actually watch on the regular. There are tons of great choices there for when you're looking for language lab assignments.

As noted earlier, you'll find music videos, movie trailers, musical numbers from cinema and theater, kids' singalongs, commercials, YouTube clips and much, much more.

FluentU exposes students to many different kinds of English voices and topics. Students can use the interactive subtitles to see every word spoken in a clip before and during the video clip, and they have immediate access to the words' definitions, usages and pronunciations. The constant presence of video content turns the exercises into more engaging sessions and helps learners understand context better.

On FluentU, all the videos are sorted by skill level and are carefully annotated for students. Words come with example sentences and definitions. Students will be able to add them to their own vocabulary lists, and even see how the words are used in other videos.

For example, if a student taps on the word "brought," they'll see this:

There are also plenty of active learning tools for students, like multimedia flashcards and fun games like "fill in the blank."

Learn Mode lets you keep track of the progress that your individual students, and class as a whole, are making with each video and its unique set of vocabulary and grammar. FluentU will evaluate the assignments for you, making homework a breeze. Using the numbers FluentU gives you, you can identify student strengths and weaknesses and arrange to touch on these further in class and with the program.

No need to download or install anything here-all you need is access to the FluentU website. From there, you can use materials online or download materials to go. However, if desired, you and your students can download the FluentU app for iOS or Android.
Storybird
Startracker

Storybird is another cool app that allows students to build stories using pictures and images. What an enjoyable way to motivate students of all ages to practice their reading and writing skills!

Content area ESL teachers can look for tools that promote excitement about concepts and topics. Startracker is an augmented reality app that allows students to see what planets or constellations are visible from their homes. It's an exciting app, even for non-educators!

Current Events

Digital Textbooks and e-Readers

Digital textbooks are almost always less expensive than traditional textbooks, and since they can be accessed on smartphones, they are amazingly mobile. Many digital textbooks have built-in features that allow students to digitally interact with the text, find out more information about a topic, or even virtually explore key places.

Presentation Tools

At some point during your course, give students the opportunity to practice age-appropriate skills in editing, word-processing and internet research.

Teacher Tools

Virtual Field Trips

Virtual field trips are both fun and informative, and many provide such an interactive experience that students get the feeling of actually being present.

National Zoo in Washington D.C.
Students can tour the USA's national zoo from the comfort of your classroom! This would be a creative way to practice/teach animal names.

Statue of Liberty
This virtual tour of the Statue of Liberty is complete with panoramic views, on-screen quick facts, audio, the ability to zoom-in and magnify certain elements, park ranger clips - and more!

White House
Have you ever wondered what's inside the White House? Here you can take a tour of the East and West Wings, Residence and South Lawn.

Google Earth can also be used in conjunction with any virtual field trip so that students can get a street view of the place they are visiting!

Considerations for Technology Integration

Despite all its benefits, technology can be misused - even in the educational arena. However, as educators, we shouldn't limit our students' experiences simply due to this fear.

Rather than avoid technology integration, there are actions we can take up front to equip our students with the tools they need to be both productive and responsible.

One place to start is by reviewing your responsible use policy in detail with your students. If you have a school-wide policy, feel free to include any additional guidelines that you deem fit, and make them a part of your classroom policy. Talk as much as possible about why it is important to use technology responsibly and discuss some potential repercussions for failing to do so.

If you teach minors, be sure to provide parents and students a copy of the policy in their native language, and don't forget to have them sign a responsible use agreement that signifies their understanding and agreement to the terms ( here are some sample responsible use agreements).

It's also wise to let parents know about at-home assignments that will require technology use, and share ideas and tips on ways they can monitor their children.

One of the biggest reported barriers to technology integration is a lack of resources within the school or among the students. Although this can greatly limit what tools and activities you can incorporate in your class, it certainly doesn't have to be a deal breaker.

You can have a tech lending library where students can check out materials and return them daily, or you can direct students to the school or community technology center. There are also several organizations that provide technology resources free or at low cost to educators and educational institutions. I know of several teachers that have received iPads, Smartboards and other devices completely free through sites Donors Choose!
Bring English immersion to your classroom!
You can also focus on integration activities that don't require devices for every student. For instance, online manipulatives like these can be accessed on a single laptop, and a simple projector makes the the laptop screen viewable by the entire class!

The key to successful technology integration in your ESL class is to first understand how it will benefit your students, and to then find resources that support learning. Just adopting a few ideas or instructional practices at a time can go a long way.

There's no doubt about it, when done correctly, technology can certainly work for you and your students, enrich learning and make your life much easier in the process!

If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to teach English with real-world videos.

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How to Use Technology Effectively to Transform Your ESL Classroom

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What comes to mind when you hear the word "technology"?Did you imagine computers? Smart phones? Apps?Or perhaps GPS? The Wii? Internet? TV?Netflix, anyone?All right, now picture yourself in a classroom teaching students. What does the word "technology" look like in this situation? Ho

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10 Modern Ways to Use Technology in ESL Instruction

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10 Modern Ways to Use Technology in ESL Instruction

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by BUSYTEACHER_admin 251,502 views

Technology can be a great asset in ESL classrooms, offering authentic writing activities and endless resources on grammar instruction, lesson plans and other central topics.

Computers, tablets and e-readers can all be instrumental in learning English, offering interactive and motivating activities for students of all ages. The following are 10 different ways that ESL teachers can use technology to teach English in a way that will make lessons more engaging and appealing:

10 Ways to Use Technology in ESL Instruction

1. Film and Video

Using short and feature-length videos is an engaging way to work on skills like vocabulary and comprehension. Videos help to expose students to the use of natural English. Young children really enjoy short cartoons and animated movies, and older students can learn about current events through news broadcasts.

ESL Partyland has free resources that include vocabulary worksheets and discussion questions to accompany films like 'Bonnie and Clyde', 'Vertigo' and 'Dead Man Walking'. The site also offers a film survey to assess your students' interests before choosing films, and film reviews that can be adapted for any level of instruction.

2. Apps

Learning English can be very difficult and frustrating at times. Apps on iPads and tablets are great ways for students to practice English and have fun while doing it. For practicing grammar rules, apps like Grammar Up allow students to test their knowledge on specific topics (verbs, prepositions, etc.). The app also keeps track of students' progress and allows them to skip questions by shaking the tablet. Best Colleges Online offers a list of 16 apps for ESL students, ranging from basic letter instruction to pronunciation guides. Students can also play classic games like Scrabble and Boggle on mobile devices.

3. Digital Field Trips

Students absorb a great deal of information through experiential learning, but field trips are not always an option with limited school budgets. Digital field trips provide more authentic ways for students to absorb new information. Young children can learn vocabulary through fun virtual trips via 4-H Virtual Farm, while older students can learn about the government on sites like Inside the White House. There are many options on the Internet to learn about virtually any topic. Middle School Net offers links to a wide array of digital field trip possibilities.

4. Podcasts

Students can listen to podcasts to improve their comprehension. They can also create podcasts to practice their English speaking abilities. A free download of iTunes gives teachers access to hundreds of free podcasts on a range of topics. There are multiple podcasts tailored specifically for English language learners. Teachers can also have students create podcasts to give them opportunities to practice their speaking skills. With just a microphone and a computer, students can create reports and presentations. Video podcasts are an attractive option for students, and some classes even have their own YouTube channels.

5. Pen Pals

Since snail mail is becoming a thing of the past, students can have pen pals that they email or write to on a discussion board. Make an arrangement with an English-speaking class in another state or country and have students write to their pen pal on a regular basis. This is a great way for them to practice their English writing and reading comprehension skills, while making friends in the process. Connect your classroom for free today with ePals!

6. Web Quests

Web quests are a fun way for students to use the Internet to build English proficiency. Students are given a task and rely on their content knowledge and grasp of English language to complete it. Teachers can create their own or visit Web Quests to access tutorials and databases of pre-created web quests.

7. Online Games

Students can master spelling, grammar and other English skills by playing games on the computer or mobile devices. Funbrain has educational games and books for Pre-K to eighth grade students. StarFall has multiple games for younger students to increase English literacy skills. Digital versions of hangman, Scrabble and Boggle are also entertaining for all ages of students. Many of these games can be put up on interactive white boards to get full class participation.

8. Blogging

Class blogs provide great forums for students to practice their writing skills. Live Journal, Edublog and Blogger allow you to create blogs for free. One of the reasons that students find blogging appealing is that it is more of an authentic writing experience, as a wider audience typically has access to read posted entries, which means students tend to put more effort into their blogs. Teachers can get students to write about specific topics that they find interesting, or students can provide commentary on current events and social justice issues. The more they practice their writing skills, the more proficient they become, so regular blogging (weekly or daily) is recommended. Blogs also provide good opportunities for family members to see what their children are working on in class!

9. Skype

Skype is a great way for students to practice their speaking and listening skills with other people from any location. Teaching Degree offers 50 suggestions on how to use Skype in the classroom. Students can have question-and-answer sessions with authors of books, attend video-conferences and virtual field trips, interview professionals, and connect with students from other cultures and countries. Skype can even be used to conduct parent-teacher conferences or connect with students' family members who may be abroad!

10. Other Resources

Dave's ESL Cafe has a page for students that provides easy-to-understand explanations of different grammar concepts, like tenses and verb forms. It also has an Idea Cookbook, which is full of resources for teachers to improve ESL instruction. Audio books can be used to supplement reading instruction and improve comprehension. Since technology is something that students interact with regularly outside of school and students need 21st century skills to be successful in college and their future careers, the more that technology can be integrated into instruction, the better.

This is a guest article by Sarah Fudin. Sarah currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education's online Masters of Education programs, which provides current and aspiring teachers the opportunity to earn an Masters of Education or MAT online. Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt.

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please help spread it by clicking one of those sharing buttons below. And if you are interested in more, you should follow our Facebook page where we share more about creative, non-boring ways to teach English.

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Technology can be a great asset in ESL classrooms, offering authentic writing activities and endless resources on grammar instruction, lesson plans and other central topics. Computers, tabl

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How to Use Technology to Support ELLs in your Classroom

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How to Use Technology to Support ELLs in your Classroom

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English-language learners (ELLs) come into our classrooms with a wide variety of specific and unique needs for language acquisition. It's hard to talk about them all as one group -- ELLs represent a diverse range of students in every sense. It's needless to say: Working with ELLs is often challenging and also highly rewarding.

Because there are so many apps and edtech tools available today, you might expect to find lots of them made specifically for English language development (ELD), bilingual, or dual-immersion classrooms. Unfortunately, this isn't the case: Tools designed specifically for English-language learners are few and far between (though there are definitely some out there).

There are, nevertheless, a lot of great edtech tools and strategies you can use with your ELLs, even if the tools themselves aren't ELL-specific. Some might even be tools you've already heard of or used -- with an ELL-specific use case that's been hiding in plain sight.

So, what's the best way to find and use great digital tools with your ELLs? A lot will depend on your students' specific needs, but here are a few things to think about when finding the best tools for your classroom.

1. Look for ELL-friendly supports in the tools you're already using.

Lots of online tools have built-in features to support differentiated instruction for a variety of learners. Newsela offers texts at five variable Lexile levels, many in both English and Spanish. ThinkCERCA offers leveled texts with scaffolding for students reading at different levels, including audio versions of texts. Though ELA-focused tools are most likely to have the best English-learning supports, plenty of other tools support ELLs' learning in other subject areas. Khan Academy is one popular example; the site offers a translated version of its curriculum in 12 languages. As you search, keep in mind that these tools are usually aimed at a more general student audience, so they may be better suited to intermediate or advanced ELLs, and beginning-level ELLs may need more robust support.

2. Build basic online resources and productivity tools into daily routines.

From basic translation to productivity tools for consumers, a lot of everyday apps and websites can be great for supporting ELL-centered learning activities. A note-taking tool with recording features like Microsoft OneNote offers opportunities for speaking and listening practice. Simple English Wikipedia is just like it sounds: an adapted version of the standard Wikipedia site but for ELLs, younger students, or anyone else who might struggle with reading. A translation tool is an obvious choice, and Google Translate is generally thought to be the most accessible free option around.

3. Get creative and repurpose a digital-storytelling tool.

Storytelling is an excellent, interactive learning activity for ELLs and bilingual learners of all ages and language abilities. Even though these apps tend to be aimed at younger kids (and not specifically at ELLs), they still offer opportunities for kids to express themselves while they build new language skills. Don't be afraid to age these tools up; they're great even for older ELLs. And for beginning-level English-language learners, creative projects tend to offer opportunities for low-stakes (yet still high-concept) communication-based activities. Also, keep in mind that lots of other digital-creation mediums can offer fun language-building practice, from video production to podcasting and digital design. Find something that suits your students' ages, language abilities, and interests.

4. Find tools that specifically address your ELLs' needs.

As mentioned earlier, tools designed only for ELLs are somewhat scarce, but there are definitely some options. These ELL-centric tools run the gamut. BrainPOP ELL offers a comprehensive online curriculum aimed at improving kids' language skills from beginning to advanced levels. Read&Write is a helpful text-to-speech app for students with a variety of literacy needs, including English-language learners. On the flip side, a platform like Ellevation is designed for teachers and uses robust data to track and monitor students' progress and language growth. As time goes on, we're bound to see more edtech solutions specifically for ELLs. It will be interesting to see what the future holds in this space.

5. Supplement instruction with an online language-learning tool.

Language-learning tools for travelers and consumers are everywhere and easy to find. Although these tools should never replace quality classroom instruction, for some students they could be a helpful option for extra practice or out-of-class enrichment. Because they're often aimed at a general -- mostly adult -- audience, these won't all be the best choice for kids' learning. Nevertheless, in certain situations, some language-learning apps could be appropriate depending on your students' needs. If you do go this route, look for free options that offer adaptive features that challenge students as their language skills grow. If recommending out-of-class use, keep your students' devices and level of network access in mind.

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How to Use Technology to Support ELLs in Your Classroom | Common Sense Education

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Quality edtech for ELLs isn't easy to find, but great options do exist.

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How can I create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive classroom environment for ELL and newcomer students?

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Ask the parents about the child’s strengths, needs, and interests

Share factual information with the class to help them understand newcomer experience and how to welcome and communicate with newcomers

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Creating a Welcoming Classroom Environment for the ELL Student

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Creating a Welcoming Classroom Environment for the ELL Student

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As educational publishers, we must be knowledgeable about the various types of students that will ultimately be affected by what we produce. Currently, the percent of English language learners (ELL) enrolled in the public school system is rising in the United States. ELL students come from many parts of the world and are a diverse group. Learning about what life in the classroom might be like for both teachers and ELL students is key.

One of the most important things that an ELL student needs is a welcoming classroom environment. Teachers who recognize that each ELL student is an individual and then take it a step further to celebrate this individuality are priceless. As publishers, our curriculums and materials should also recognize and celebrate the diversity of ELL students. This requires learning about the backgrounds of the students who will be in the classrooms.

Every ELL student comes to the classroom with a unique story. We should never assume that students from similar parts of the world have the exact same backgrounds. The diverse backgrounds of ELL students have a great impact on their learning, and it is our job to get to know the students that we will serve. Many ELL students are brand new to the United States and may experience varying degrees of culture shock. Others have been here for quite some time but may not have a full command of English yet. Even those students who may be fluent in English may need help learning the specialized language that is associated with schooling in the United States.

Schooling in other parts of the world can be very different from this country. Many ELL students are more familiar with a teacher-centered form of instruction where lectures and rote memorization take center stage. Student-centered and cooperative learning may feel chaotic and overwhelming at first to ELL students. We must also keep in mind that some ELL students did not attend any school in their countries of origin. Therefore, they will not have first-language literacy to aid them as they embark upon learning English. Finally, many students may have difficult backgrounds that include having experienced the horrors of war and life in refugee camps. All of the above types of students will undoubtedly have to make many transitions and adjustments.

No matter how you look at it, attending school in the United States can be filled with many challenges for ELL students. It is our job to help make their transition easier by creating a welcoming and accepting classroom environment. This is just as true for a school that only has a few ELL students as it is for a school with a large population of ELL students. Here are a few ideas on how to include welcoming activities in your lesson plans and curriculum materials:

1. Allow time in the lesson for the teacher and other students to learn the correct pronunciation of each ELL student's name. Encourage teachers to ask for clarification if they are unclear on how to say the name.

2. Display a world map in the classroom and allow time for students to identify their countries of origin. Have all students create flags out of various materials to represent where they are from.

3. Encourage ELL students to teach the rest of the class a few words and phrases in their native tongue. This can help foster sensitivity for the difficulty involved with learning a new language. Post some of these words and phrases around the classroom for everyone to learn.

4. Decorate the classroom with posters and items that reflect both US culture and the cultures of the ELL students.

5. Employ a buddy system for lessons and activities, allowing English-speaking students to pair up with ELL students, and ELL students who speak the same language to pair up with each other. It is often important to allow for same-gender pairs for ELL students because of cultural differences. Provide training and set expectations for all students participating in a buddy system.

6. Include age-appropriate foreign films in lesson plans to help bring awareness of what life may be like for children in other parts of the world.

7. Include a study of proverbs from around the world to help all students learn about what is valued by various cultures.

8. Use stories, art, pictures, posters, and collages as lesson activities to help create an atmosphere of cultural sensitivity and awareness in the classroom.

It may take extra research and planning to create a welcoming environment for ELL students in the classroom, but it is well worth the effort. It is our job as educational professionals to do all in our power to reach each and every student. When ELL students feel welcome and accepted, they are much more likely to feel empowered to succeed not only in the classroom but in life!
How will you include the ELL student in your next set of lesson plans or curriculum materials?

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Creating a Welcoming Classroom Environment for the ELL Student

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As educational publishers, we must be knowledgeable about the various types of students that will ultimately be affected by what we produce. Currently, the percent of English language learners (ELL) enrolled in the public school system is rising in the United States.

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Supporting English Language Learners Through Technology

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Supporting English Language Learners Through Technology

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Have newcomers share information about their countries, languages, and cultures with the class

Ensure correct pronunciation of students’ names

Greet each student daily by name and with a smile

Encourage students to greet each other in different languages

Start every day with an informal conversation with students

Make sure students know and understand the roles of key members of the school community

Pair students with a same-language buddy

Use cooperative learning strategies

Make a concerted effort to connect and bond with students

Encourage ELL students to teach the class a few words and phrases in their native language

Host read-alouds in the students’ native languages

Allow ELL students to talk and do parts of their work in their native language (such as writing journal entries)

Organize bilingual tutoring

Publish books in students’ native languages

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Have predictable, visual routines in the classroom and announce changes in advance

Have bilingual welcome signs, put up flags from many countries, have a map that marks where students come from, put up names of objects in English and first language of students, put up student drawings with bilingual captions, decorate the classroom with posters that reflect the varying cultures in the room

Use students’ photos to create an “About Me” bulletin board

Post work that shows the thinking and learning of all students

Create a classroom library with bilingual books and books from other countries and cultures

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How to Make your ELL Students Feel at Home

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How to Make your ELL Students Feel at Home

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If you are already registered on our website, you can sign in by selecting your partner organization below, then entering your email address and password on the next screen.

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Creating a Welcoming Environment for English Language Learners in your School and Classroom

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Creating a Welcoming Environment for English Language Learners in your School and Classroom

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Some Places to Access Dual  Language Books

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Some Places to Access Dual  Language Books

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Dual Language Book Project

World Stories

International Children’s Digital Library

YouAreSpecial.com

Language Lizard

Orca Book Publishers Canada

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Supporting Bilingual Students

Looking for the best bilingual books for language learners? We make it easy to get engaging dual language books into the hands of children. Readers will find fiction and non-fiction books in over 60 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, and much more! Use our books, interactive audio, and free teaching resources to strengthen the parent-home connection, promote literacy, and celebrate diversity.

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Children's Bilingual Books & Multicultural Audio Books | Language Lizard

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Shop award-winning bilingual children's products in 50+ languages! We carry multicultural books, posters, audio books, dictionaries & free lesson plans. Enhance your education today!

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Introduce the littlest readers in your life to other languages while reading their favorite books! The original English text is paired with a translation in a language such as Cree, Simplified Chinese and Arabic.

Books 1 - 12 of 16 results

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Introduce the littlest readers in your life to other languages while reading their favorite books! The original English text is paired with a translation in a language such as Cree, Simplified Chinese and Arabic. Books 1 - 12 of 16 results

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Welcoming Newcomer Students and Families to School

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Welcoming Newcomer Students and Families to School

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How can I access/create dual language books for my classroom? How can I use them effectively?

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To open slideshow in new window click here

We know that youngsters learning a second language have many oral language strengths needed for early literacy development. They have an acuity for sounds, for example, and they know that sounds carry meaning in the shape of words. They develop a core vocabulary of 'here and now'

words to satisfy their immediate communication needs quite quickly. And they seem to make the connection from sound to letter recognition quite easily. These are all important early literacy concepts and skills that are necessary for children to learn to 'decode'.

In the long run, though, these children need to 'grow' a bigger vocabulary so that they will enjoy success in the later school years when reading comprehension becomes dependent on word knowledge that is taken from text books. We want to build a better foundation. We think this work can get an early start – in kindergarten. The dual language book project is supported by the following ideas:

1. We want to involve the family and especially the parents in telling their children family stories that are interesting and that will expand or 'stretch' their mother tongue vocabulary.

2. We want to link this vocabulary to an object that has family and cultural relevance—a family 'treasure'.

3. We want the child to bring the object to class, where we can support the story telling in English in small group work. We will write the stories in English and the first language of each child.

4. We want to target 'next words to know' – and purposefully challenge the children to learn lots of new words related to the Family Treasures project.

5. We want to encourage word play, through recycling activities and games that will lead to deep understanding of word meanings.

6. We want to link the children's stories to good children's literature on the same theme that can be explored for meaning and personal connection.

7. Most of all, we want to create a learning environment for curiosity, wonder, imagination, respect for and interest in diversity; and fun!

Welcome to our Family Treasures dual language book project!

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Family Treasures- Dual Language Book Project

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To open slideshow in new window click here We know that youngsters learning a second language have many oral language strengths needed for early literacy development. They have an acuity for sounds, for example, and they know that sounds carry meaning in the shape of words.

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Our titles are available in the following languages:

WorldStories is a growing collection of stories from around the world. The collection includes retold traditional tales and new short stories in the languages most spoken by UK children.

We are adding new stories, translations, pictures and sound recordings every week. So keep coming back to enjoy new content!

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Our titles are available in the following languages: WorldStories is a growing collection of stories from around the world. The collection includes retold traditional tales and new short stories in the languages most spoken by UK children. We are adding new stories, translations, pictures and sound recordings every week.

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Resources for Supporting the Use of Home Languages

Audio Books

Fiction and non-fiction audio books are available in a variety of languages. They may or may not include the print version of the text that students could use to follow along as they listen. Students can listen to these audio books individually, with a peer, or with a parent/caregiver.

When audio books are paired with their corresponding print format, students can easily make connections between the words they hear and how these words appear in print. When students read along with an audio book, they hear the correct pronunciation and learn the meaning of new vocabulary in context. As well, they are more likely to begin using this new vocabulary when they speak and write in their home language.

When using audio books

have students complete a related follow-up assignment, such as an oral or a written book report, photo montage, personal response, or a compare-and-contrast activity

facilitate a class discussion in English about the story or subject matter described in the audio books

Considerations

Some English language learners have had limited exposure to reading and writing in their home language. They may also have limited proficiency in reading and writing in English. Ensure that the reading level in the audio books is appropriate for the student.

eBooks

Search the Internet for websites having digital collections of books in various languages. Some websites provide access to digital books free of charge, including books in various languages. Many school websites have lists of links to free digital collections of literature in languages other than English, including dual-language books.

Dual-language Books

Dual-language books are written in two languages, either with English text on one page and the equivalent text in the other language on the opposite page or with text in both languages on the same page. This format makes it easy for readers to confirm understanding and compare aspects of language between both languages, such as word choice and the way thoughts are expressed.

Dual-language books are often illustrated to help convey meaning and cultural knowledge and support storytelling. Dual-language books can be either fiction or non-fiction. Examples of dual-language books can be found at A Dual Language Book Project.
Where can I access dual-language books?
Dual-language books can be accessed through publishers, websites, and libraries. They can also be authored by students, parents, or community volunteers. Some schools use their school website to publish dual-language books that their students have developed.
Why use dual-language books?
Dual-language books can

benefit both English language acquisition and home language maintenance/development

develop students' ability to express their identities through two of their languages

allow students to see themselves as competent bilinguals having the power to engage with a wider audience through their growing proficiency in two languages

allow English language learners and their English-speaking peers to read the same story/text

create empathy and understanding for people with different perspectives, experiences, and cultures

allow English language learners to see their culture and worldview reflected in the literature they read

allow English language learners to share their linguistic knowledge and culture with their teachers and classmates

serve as a bridge between the school and the home, involving families/caregivers of English language learners in literacy development activities

entertain and encourage reading and vocabulary development

help develop the speaking and writing language skills of English language learners as they create or talk about dual-language books

How do you use dual-language books?
Introduce the dual-language book to students.

Show students what makes the dual-language book unique; e.g., "There are words in English on this page. On the opposite page, there are words that mean the same thing, but these words are in another language."

Talk briefly about the story in English. Identify the main character and her or his goal or challenges. Point to pictures as you talk to assist English language learners in their understanding.

Talk about the home language used in the book. Talk about the part(s) of the world in which that language is spoken and which student(s) in the class can speak the language.

Tell students you will read the English parts, and a parent/caregiver or student who speaks the other language will read the other parts of the book.

Set some reading goals with students (e.g., listening for certain actions or events or for cognatescognates: words in different languages sharing a common origin
A cognate may look similar to a word you already know in another language and it may have a meaning that is similar, too; e.g., night (English), Nacht (German), nuit (French); or name (English), Name (German), namn (Swedish), nome (Italian). ).

Read the dual-language book.

Encourage students to either

read the entire book in English, followed by the home language

read it one page at a time, alternating between the two languages

Pair monolingual students with a student who can speak another language for shared reading.

Make an audio recording of the dual-language book to support students' independent readings. A recording of the English text can assist English language learners with comprehension and English language development. A recording of the home language text provides an opportunity for English language learners to showcase and take pride in their home language. Students can help make the recordings.

Involve students in an activity after the reading.

Link the activity with goals students set for the reading to assess and confirm understanding.

Invite students to talk about an aspect of the book (e.g., language, event, character).

Talk about the words. Have students define new vocabulary in their own words.

Use charts to record English vocabulary that would be new to most students or vocabulary that would be useful for English language learners to acquire and use.

Use charts to record the equivalent words in English and in the home language.

Add new words to word walls. Students can add words that are new to them in their personal dictionaries.

Learn some words in another language.

Encourage English-speaking students to learn a few words and common expressions in another language that they encountered while reading and talking about the dual-language book.

Students are naturally curious about other languages. They are eager to learn a few words and common expressions in another language, especially if they can use these words and expressions with their classmates who speak the language. An audio recording of the home language text can help students who do not speak this home language learn a few words and gain an appreciation for this language.

How do you create dual-language books with students?
Choose a topic.

Select topics, themes, and concepts being learned in class or other topics of interest to students. This can help students understand what is being taught and will provide practice for English language learners in using academic and subject- or discipline-specific vocabulary.

Depict situations and events, customs, traditions, perspectives, and ways of knowing and thinking that would be familiar to Canadian-born students and to English language learners who may have lived abroad or are part of a culturally distinct community in Canada.

Encourage students to translate dual-language books into additional home languages.

Write the dual-language books.

Give students the option of creating dual-language books on their own or in collaboration with other students, parents, family members, or classroom volunteers.

Students can choose to handwrite and illustrate their books or use a computer to write and illustrate their books.

Investigate ebook apps and websitesBe sure to review the Terms of Use or User Agreement to ensure students' privacy and rights as authors and text creators are safeguarded. that could be used to make dual-language books.

Encourage students to use word walls, bilingual dictionaries, and translation tools as they create their bilingual books. They should add new words they discover to their personal dictionaries.

Involve family members in creating the dual-language books through face-to-face conversations or interactions with relatives and friends through the Internet.

Pair English language learners with native speakers of English who can help write or edit the English parts of the books.

Have English language learners who have proficiency in their home language translate English texts into their language.

Publish and share the dual-language books.

Consider laminating or binding the books to make them more durable and to give their authors a greater sense of pride.

Make copies of the books so students have their own personal copy, and present copies as gifts to family members.

Create a library to house and showcase the books, and make copies available to others.

Explore digital formats that can include recordings to allow for sharing across time and distance.

Continue to add more dual-language books to the collection year after year.

Considerations
Teachers do not need to be speakers of the students' home languages in order to facilitate the creation or use of dual-language books in the classroom.

Collaborating on the writing, editing, and illustration of dual-language books, and talking with others about the stories or information, enhances students' literacy and communication skills. It also helps them learn more about other cultures and ways of knowing and about their own and each other's languages.

Dictionaries, Thesauri, and Translators

Language translators and bilingual dictionaries can be accessed online or as applications for smart phones. Several online English dictionaries were developed specifically for English language learners.

Students can enhance their knowledge and vocabulary in their home language and in English through the frequent use of online bilingual dictionaries, picture dictionaries, glossaries, thesauri, and translation tools. These sites are also useful for translating language from English to the student's home language.
Using Dictionaries, Thesauri, and Translators

During a reading or writing activity, have students search meanings and spellings for new vocabulary and information in their home language and in English.

Have students find out how to say a word in English, and provide examples of the word's usage.

Have students search for grammatical information; e.g., the part of speech of a word, the plural of a noun, the past tense of a verb, or a synonym or an antonym of a word.

Have students use translators to help them decipher challenging texts and when creating more complex academic texts.

Encourage students to add the new vocabulary they have learned to their own personal bilingual dictionaries.

Encourage students to use the new vocabulary.

Considerations
Learning to use a dictionary and thesaurus correctly and effectively can be a challenging skill to acquire. Many English language learners may require extra time to find a word, especially if they are unsure of the word's spelling.

Using a dictionary or translator often involves the student choosing the most appropriate word from several word choices, which can be challenging. Discourage students from relying on translators as a primary means of understanding and creating texts. Encourage students to use a variety of strategies.

It should be noted that online translation tools are not always capable of providing accurate and appropriate translations. They are most effective when used to help understand the gist of a text.

Search the Internet for online dictionaries, like WordReference.com, and translation tools, like Google Translate. Some websites allow users to translate a text using several different language translation programs. Not all languages are supported by online dictionaries and translation tools.

Text-to-speech and Speech-to-text Technology

Text-to-speech technology converts written text to audio speech using a digitized or synthesized voice. Text-to-speech software helps English language learners read and comprehend print text. Some online translation programs and some ebook readers also have text-to-speech capability. An example of text-to-speech technology that supports multiple languages is Read and Write for Google.

Speech-to-text technology converts spoken words to print text. Speech-to-text software is available in many languages. Some speech-to-text software, like Google Cloud Speech API, supports multiple languages.

Multilingual programs using these technologies are available. Students may be able to use these technologies in their home language or in English.
Using Text-to-speech and Speech-to-text Software

Have students use text-to-speech software to help them decipher challenging English or home language texts or to help them as a proofreading tool. Hearing a text aloud can often help English language learners recognize errors they have made.

Have students use speech-to-text software to help them identify the spelling of words that they can say in their home language or in English but not write. This can be helpful when looking up definitions in dictionaries, thesauri, and glossaries. Students may also choose to use the software when taking notes or brainstorming.

Considerations
Teachers may need to provide instructional support as students use these tools to develop their understandings and language proficiency. Not all languages are supported by text-to-speech and speech-to-text technologies.

Media in Home Languages

English language learners may have access to the following types of media in their home language:

radio programs and television broadcasts

Wikipedia articles

magazines and newspapers

websites

Encourage students to use resources in their home language to maintain and further develop their home language proficiency and to better understand topics and concepts they are learning at school. Encourage students to bring resources in their home language that are relevant to the topics and concepts being addressed in class.
Considerations
Many topics, issues, and perspectives that are explored in Canadian classrooms are not always reflected in media developed in other languages.

Also, students' access to technology and media in their home language can vary greatly from family to family. Encouraging students to share their home language resources in class allows students with the same home language to have equal access to media available in their home language.

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Fiction and non-fiction audio books are available in a variety of languages. They may or may not include the print version of the text that students could use to follow along as they listen. Students can listen to these audio books individually, with a peer, or with a parent/caregiver.

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ICDL - International Children’s Digital Library

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1. Teachers can read the book in the school language and send it home to be read in the home language

2. Teachers can read bilingual books and show students the text written in another language

3. Read culturally relevant bilingual books

4. Parents/volunteers can read the class the bilingual book in the home language

5. Teachers can ask questions about the book in both English and the home language

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Dual Language Books Benefit Bilingual Children

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Dual Language Books Benefit Bilingual Children

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English Language Learners / Dual Language Learners / Multicultural Education Support - Language Lizard Blog

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Bilinguals around the world will tell you that they do not have the same degree of fluency in all of their languages. A language that is used primarily in academic situations may come across as stiff and stilted when used in less formal situations. Family issues are often more easily discussed in a home language. Depending on where we live when our first child is born, we may only know the vocabulary for baby items in one language and find the same discussions difficult when visiting family in our country of origin. The concept of a "balanced bilingual" is rarely a reality in the world of multilingualism.

Despite this, we very easily fall into the trap of believing that bilingual children are the exception to the rule. We have come to expect that they should have equal mastery of both of their languages. However, just as with adults, a child's level of linguistic ability will differ depending on situation and language. For example, it may be difficult for a bilingual child to recount events in a home language that took place in the school language. Words, phrases and meanings used in a school setting are not necessarily used in the home language.

To help bilingual children build literacy in both languages as much as possible, experts are encouraging teachers and parents to take advantage of the benefits that bilingual books and other multilingual materials provide.

In her book Learning to Read and Write in the Multilingual Family, Prof. Xiao-lei Wang writes, "Despite past criticism that using dual language or multi-language text would encourage children to read the easier language, recent studies found that children who are reading dual or multiliteracy materials can transfer the literacy skills and concepts developed in one language to another (often a strong one to a weaker one) and promote overall literacy skill development" (page 66).

Prof. Xiao-lei Wang gives us two examples of how dual or multiliteracy materials help bilingual children master their languages:

"They provide predictability from one language to another. Literacy experts have long advocated that using repeated reading materials helps facilitate comprehension and introduce children to the way print works."

"They provide children with an opportunity to compare and contrast the texts and develop metalinguistic ability (ability to notice the different features in different languages)."

When bilingual books are readily available around the house and in classrooms, bilingual children are given opportunities to become literate in an organic and fluid way. They are given the chance to use both of their languages in powerful ways to build overall comprehension. Teachers and parents strengthen this process even further when they read the same books out loud and discuss the storyline in their respective languages.

Our children are lucky to have so many bilingual resources available to them in today's day and age. Rather than having to choose books in one language over another, we have the unique opportunity to select from an array of dual language materials. Before we know it, our bilingual children will be reading up a storm - in all of their languages!
Do you utilize bilingual books in your home? Have you had friends or babysitters read dual language books out loud to your children in their language(s)? How did your children react?

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Dual Language Books Benefit Bilingual Children

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Bilinguals around the world will tell you that they do not have the same degree of fluency in all of their languages. A language that is used primarily in academic situations may come across as stiff and stilted when used in less formal situations. Family issues are often more easily discussed in a home language.

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Children can hand-write and illustrate their book or use a computer program, website, or app

Investigate websites and apps for creating dual language books

Encourage students to use word walls, bilingual dictionaries, and translation tools

Involve family members in the process

Pair ELLs with native speakers of English who can help write or edit the English parts of the books

Have English language learners who have proficiency in their home language translate English texts into their language

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How to Use Bilingual Books with Children

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How to Use Bilingual Books with Children

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Bilingual Books are books written in two different languages. They aren't usually translated word for word, but rather the same story line written in each language. If they are written well, bilingual books can be a valuable resource for parents and educators to use with children.

Anneke Forzani is the founder of Language Lizard, which offers bilingual books, dual-language audio and multilingual resources for teachers, librarians, and bilingual families. Below she shares some tips on how parents and educators can use bilingual books at home and in the classroom.

Read on to find out how you can enter to win bilingual books for your children.

Studies have shown that supporting a child's home language is very important for enhancing academic performance, even in cases where the language spoken at school is not the same as the language spoken at home. Children do better in school when their parents read to them, communicate, and engage in daily tasks and activities in the language in which they are most comfortable.

Bilingual books are a great resource for bridging the two different languages. They offer educators the chance to teach their pupils in the school language while providing a tool for home language development and parental involvement.

Books in two languages can motivate parents to continue interacting with their children in their home language, knowing that it will help their overall language development, not hinder their school achievement.

Below are 5 tips for parents and educators to use bilingual books in the classroom and at home to improve literacy skills and encourage cultural appreciation.

1. Teachers can read a bilingual book in the school language and then lend it to the child to read in the home language.

In addition to supporting their child's overall language development, reading at home with parents strengthens the child-parent bond and helps the parent teach about their shared culture and language.

2. Educators can read bilingual books in English and then show students written text in a second language.

Teachers can use bilingual stories to familiarize children with other languages that use the Roman alphabet as well as languages with different letters and symbols, such as Hindi and Korean. This way, children can better understand that written speech and letters have varied forms.

3. Teachers can read culturally relevant bilingual books.

When educators read multicultural books that show texts from other parts of the world, they are imparting knowledge about various cultures, customs and traditions. This promotes a climate of cultural diversity and tolerance in the classroom.

4. Parents or other volunteers can read a bilingual book in the non-dominant language.

Teachers can invite parents to participate in reading bilingual books in their home language to the class. The teacher can then read the book in the school language. This enhances the bonds between the class and the family/community. It also makes parents feel welcome and provides an opportunity for them to share their expertise. If parents are unable or unwilling to come to the classroom, other teachers or community members who know the home language can be invited to read in the second language.

5. Engage children with question and answer sessions and discussion in both the school and home languages.

Bilingual books can offer the chance to discuss the same subjects in two separate languages. Teachers can initiate communication in the school's language, while parents can do the same in their home language. Children can be sent home with a list of suggested topics for discussion to use with parents at home.

These are just a few examples of ways that teachers and parents can utilize bilingual books at school and at home. The aim is to build a child's overall literacy and communication skills, ensure that they are proud of their culture and language, and help them become understanding, multicultural citizens.
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Chontelle is a Certified ESL teacher, writer and mother of two bilingual kids. She offers practical advice for parents seeking to raise bilingual or multilingual children; with inspiration, support and strategies based on her experience as a parent, and as a teacher of a foreign language to children.

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5 Ways To Use Bilingual Books With Children - Bilingual Kidspot

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Bilingual Books are books written in two different languages. They aren't usually translated word for word, but rather the same story line written in each language. If they are written well, bilingual books can be a valuable resource for parents and educators to use with children.

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Reading as a class:

You read the book an English. A parent/volunteer/student can read the book in the home language

Reading Independently:

Encourage students to either:
- read the entire book in English, followed by the home language
- read it one page at a time, alternating between the two languages

Pair monolingual students with a student who can speak another language for shared reading

Make an audio recording of the book to support students’ independent readings

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YouAreSpecial-Dual Language Books with over 75 languages

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Dual language books, bilingual books, parellel text, canada

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Link the activity with goals students set for the reading to assess and confirm understanding

Invite students to talk about an aspect of the book

Talk about the words. Have students define new vocabulary in their own words

Use charts to record English vocabulary that would be new to most students or vocabulary that would be useful for ELLs to acquire and use

Use charts to record the equivalent words in English and in the home language

Add new words to word walls and personal dictionaries

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Show students what makes the dual language book unique

Talk briefly about the story in English. Point to pictures as you talk to help ELLs understand

Talk about the home language used in the book.  Where is the language spoken? Which students speak the language?

Set reading goals with students

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Students and teachers can use the WriteReader app/website to create and share their own dual language books

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WriteReader - Book creating tool to increase students literacy skills

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QR Code Login: Get your students logged in in seconds with QR code cards. See how easy it is. WriteReader in the Classroom Security of data is very important for us and we always strive to take necessary steps in order to make WriteReader a secure and trusted site to create and share their books for students.