According to the NEA, by next year, one out of four children in classrooms across the nation will be an English language learner, or ELL. These students face the need to master a new language while also keeping up with academic content. With such a large portion of the student population being ELLs, it’s more important than ever that we equip them with the necessary tools to succeed.
At Emma W. Shuey Elementary in Rosemead, Calif., we’re already well ahead of the national average. More than 40% of our students are ELLs, with the majority speaking either Chinese or Vietnamese at home. I have the privilege of leading our ELL program and have experienced firsthand our students’ journey through the education system. Education technology plays a critical role in their learning process, and I can attest to its impact on my students’ academic achievement and self-confidence.
However, a 2023 survey by the EdWeek Research Center shows that educators believe one of the top problems with edtech is the misguided or ineffective use of tools in the classroom. Technology is always evolving, and while it’s designed to facilitate learning, it sometimes hinders the process – especially when it’s not tailored for educational purposes. If technology doesn’t work effectively, for example when students cannot hear well or be heard clearly when using devices, it becomes difficult to gauge their true learning and knowledge. This issue is particularly problematic for ELLs during reading and comprehension exercises. The key is to continuously observe and adapt the use of technology to help our students succeed.
We’ve all witnessed struggles and successes in our classrooms. Throughout my 20-plus year career in education, I have implemented numerous tools to keep students engaged and motivated to learn. Below are a few suggestions to help keep your ELL program on track and boost student confidence.
- Choose technology that can be customized and personalized for every learner. One of the biggest challenges I’ve seen in ELL programs is the desire to teach all students the same content at the same time. This leads to some kids falling behind, while others are bored or unengaged. I’ve found that tools such as Imagine Learning, when used consistently, can create an equitable learning environment. The platform allows our students to progress and celebrate their individual successes. Imagine Learning also gives students a level of comfort and increases their confidence because it works in their native language, while also leading to English language proficiency. I also really appreciate Epic Books, an audio-based digital reading platform that creates an inclusive learning environment for students that are unable to read on their own. But these tools are only as good as the audio technology being used to access them.
- Choose audio and video peripherals that are designed with learners in mind. Last fall, I conducted a study with more than 50 students in an effort to improve student focus and engagement during independent reading time. Over the course of the eight-week study, I measured the impact headset technologies have on student reading performance. For the first half of the study, we used wired earbuds. We shifted to over-the-ear headsets from Logitech Zone Learn for the second half. The earbuds were generic and not designed specifically for learning, whereas the headsets were built for young learners and designed to block out ambient noise and prioritize vocal clarity instead of music. The move to the headsets dramatically improved our students’ focus, comprehension and their desire to continue reading books.
- Incorporate current trends as much as possible to keep students engaged. Students are motivated to learn when the topic you’re teaching is relevant to them. Rather than focusing on “evergreen” material, I look for trending news and events to inspire learning. From World Cup competitions to tornado season, I’ve been able to energize my students so that they’re not only enhancing their English vocabulary and grammar, but also expanding their knowledge of math, geography and science.
- Track and share student progress to encourage growth. I use tools like Flip (formerly Flipgrid) to record my students’ achievements from when they enter the program until they graduate from the program. These recorded “time capsules” are a great way for the students to witness firsthand just how far they’ve come and celebrate.
Keeping ELL students engaged and limiting distractions is critical to their success, which ultimately leads to self-confidence. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to inspire them and keep their learning on track. I love integrating tech into learning when I know it makes a difference. Watching my students evolve from barely speaking English to confident and proficient English speakers when they graduate is definitely one of life’s most rewarding experiences.
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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