m to Reach English Language Learners
Gerwatosky
Q
: Are there any specific apps that you find more helpful with your ESL students? What are
they and how do you use them in class?
Beth: My favorite two apps for ESL students are Nearpod and Explain Everything. With Nearpod,
I use this to embed questions in a vocabulary presentation or to take a pulse on students’ level of
understanding of the content. I began using Explain Everything in August with my Writing Seminar
Class. I have students respond to an image, a poem or create a “commercial” on a product. The
student shares the YouTube link with me. I do not show student work in class. I then use the
project as a way to coach students on their pronunciation or grammar skills. I will give students
feedback, or have them transcribe their recording, identify errors, and re-record.
Q
: How have your students responded to the use of the iPad in class?
Beth: My students have responded well to using the IPad in class. I find that they are more focused
on what I have asked them to do—there is less off task behavior. I also see that my students are
more organized—they are not losing notes. Using the iPad, especially with Dropbox, has made
students more accountable—no more excuses about not being able to print, or “it’s on my
computer and my computer is broken.” Aside from a few instances that occurred early in the year,
my students are on task and not going to non-academic apps when they are working in class.
Q
: What are some of the challenges that you face in teaching ESL students? What impact does
technology have on those challenges (does it make it easier, more difficult, or not have much of an
impact)?
Beth: There are many challenges in teaching students whose primary language is something other
than English. Acquisition of vocabulary, reading, speaking and critical thinking are the main
challenges that I face when teaching ESL. Technology has had a huge impact on my ability to teach
ESL students. I has made it easier and more fun.
Q
: If you could create an app that would most benefit your ESL students, what would it be?
Beth: It would be similar to a really good dictionary. The audio feature would have a graphic
representation of the pronunciation (like Audacity). The student would pronounce the word and
see a graphic representation of the word. They then would be able to compare their pronunciation
to the model visually as well as by listening. This app would also provide me with reports so that I
could hold my students accountable, and so that I could see a list of mispronounced words by
frequency of error. This would give me the opportunity to devote more time to teach these
words in class.
13