Apps and Ideas for Dual Language Learners.

Dual language learners are students whose primary language is not English.   Some apps include endless reader, Duolingo, and Tinycards.   Endless reader helps students learn English with site words.  The app is free and comes with 6 free words.  There is an in-app purchase to get more words.  Duolingo is a free app that allows students to listen to how words are said.  Tinycards is a free app that uses flash cards with animations to teach the ELL students different words.  English singsing, Rock N Learn, and Hoopla kids are YouTube channels ELL students can view to help them learn words.   Somethings you can do in the classroom to help ELL students is have a word wall with pictures.  Label everything so that the students will start being able to associate words with objects.  Pair ELL students with proficient English-speaking students for help.  Technology is a wonderful resource to help ELL students with their learning. 

I had the chance to work with ELL students in my practicum last semester.  I was in a 3^rd grade class and one of my ELL students was on a 1^st grade reading level.  He was so good at Math and made the comment to his teacher that he could be good at reading if someone would teach him.  He was not able to get help at home because his parents did not speak English well.  He would always give it his all when it was time to read him books.  He would come sit with me a lot of the time and I would help him read.  It is so sad seeing students who have the want and will to learn so bad but don’t have enough resources available to them for help.  I would like to see them offer some kind of after school program for ELL students to give them the extra help they need.  As a teacher you want all your students to succeed but with the amount of time you have to teach everything it is hard to be able to spend that extra time with your ELL students.  I would like to see more teachers utilized some of the resources above in their classrooms to help the ELL students.  Even if it is just 5 or 10 minutes each day.  These technology apps have been proven to help students grow in there English so much more.