Hey there! Welcome to my blog! I am in my fourth year of full-time teaching, but my first year teaching specifically English Language Learners (ELLs). I'm excited to share my learning of the different ways technology is changing to enhance the learning and education of ELLs! Let's help them grow!New, Quick English Language Assessment??
In California, teachers were looking for an efficient, quick way to assess ELL students' language proficiency. The district decided to do a pilot of an assessment program called "Test of English Language Learning (TELL™), from Pearson". What is that, you ask? Here is a description:
"Leveraging digital technology, TELL is a touchscreen-delivered language proficiency assessment for grades K-12. It takes 20 to 50 minutes for students to complete. English learners read, write, speak and answer questions out loud, and the technology captures their oral responses using innovative speech recognition technology. Students watch highly engaging video clips and interact with pictures and words, and they are also able to write letters or words with their fingers on the screen." (Bracken, 2018).
The results are generated in minutes, giving the teachers an immediate understanding of the proficiency level of their language learner! Teachers, students, and parents have a deep understanding of which skills the student needs to improve upon, giving the students a head start in their progress. Additionally, the teacher can compare assessments for growth as the year progresses. No more waiting a year to find out if the ELL is becoming proficient in the English language!
During this time of WIDA testing, and knowing I won't obtain my students scores for many months, this sounds so enticing! Yes, I know I can do other assessments to address my students' needs, but not in direct correlation with their language proficiency as this assessment.
Let's hope other states utilize this technology in order to help teachers help themselves more effectively when planning for their students, and to help students know what skills they need to develop.
Click on the link to read the whole article: Digital Technology for ESL Assessment
Learn English Using a Video Game?
Learning English can be individualized! Decide what YOU are interested in learning! Using en.news, you can choose your reading level and news topic. As you read, you can click on words for definitions, and then add them to your online notebook for future referrals! You can have words pronounced, and there is a resource button that gives you a list of common vocabulary words, along with some technical words that the learner may not know. These words can be shown as flashcards for easier studying!
Another great feature is that you can keep track of your progress and see how much of the lesson you have completed. As you complete the lessons, you will earn points and badges, and be put on a leader's board! Our society is driven by video games, and now learning can be motivated in the same way!
"We are delighted to provide CNN content as part of WeSpeke's en.news," said Greg Beitchman, VP, Content Sales & Partnerships, CNN International Commercial "The high-quality and engaging nature of our news content makes it the ideal English-language learning aid as part of WeSpeke's innovative offering. Through this content licensing partnership, we look forward to today's news becoming tomorrow's English lessons" (Wespeke, 2018).
I can see students using this during a reading center to engage the learner into a topic he/she wants to learn about, all the while doing academic activities. The vocabulary and pronunciation feature is fabulous for the ELL to manage their own learning!
Drawbacks: There are a lot of ads!! Additionally, the lowest level is a 2, but there aren't many articles to read at that level.
Check it out and see how YOU can utilize it! Read the article: WeSpeke Explore the site: en.news
Bracken, M. (2018, January 19). Digital technology helps california district improve assessment for english language learners. edscoop. Retrieved from http://edscoop.com/digital-technology-helps- california-district-improve-assessment-for-english-language-learners
PRweb. (2018, January 22). Wespeke announces en.news: Today's CNN news stories are today's english lessons. Retrieved from https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/18/01/p11061312/wespeke-announces-en-news-
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I love the en.news website and you even drew me in with the video game title and I don't even like video games! I use centers almost daily in language arts for second grade students and they would absolutely love using this website in centers to learn language. ELLs would greatly benefit from this as well, because the learners are in charge of their own educational progress and interests. The website allows for students to look up words, choose their reading level, and pick articles based on their interest. This would help students gain fluency in reading and build vocabulary skills. The feature I like is that they can listen to how words are pronounced! I do think it would benefit students, if they knew their reading/difficulty level especially for younger learners. I do like that you can keep track of the progress and it seems to be a motivational tool to get students reading and gaining fluency. Great website and awesome resource!
ReplyDeleteAwesome blog! I've added the en.news website as a resource on my Symbaloo, what a fantastic resource. After spending some time playing with the site and its functions, this is exactly the type of tool I can use with some of my high leveled ELLs. I've used 'Listenwise' with my classes before, which is a similar resource, but en.news is a much more suitable for language learners. The ability to double-click words and get the definition and pronunciation is incredible. Gamifying its use through the use of badges is also a nice touch for teachers and students to track progress. Thanks for sharing this awesome resource!
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