ELL+and+Podcast

Podcast (and other 2.0 tools) for Ell students Robert Fry Link to article: [] The number of students designated as ELL is growing in our schools every year. Most of these students are eager learners but are held back by their lack of word understanding (vocabulary.) ELL students are often reluctant to participate in class discussions because of their lack of speaking skills. Often the lack of understanding of a typical ELL learner is not readily evident since the student can converse in social language fairly well. Social language is usually developed within the first two years of being exposed to a new language. But it takes five to seven years to develop academic language. One way to try and speed up the use of academic language is with the use of web 2.0 tools. In the younger grades, creating podcasts for stories will allow students to work on reading fluency. Podcasts could also include descriptions/definitions of words in the story. Podcasts and Voicethreads could be created to demonstrate math concepts and reinforce vocabulary words. As students get older they could work on group projects using a wiki to apply and construct their learning. By working on a wiki with classmates, ELL students are learning appropriate grammar and are practicing their academic writing schools. One of the most important things that can be accomplished by integrating Web 2.0 tools in the classroom for ELL students is that it will prepare them for their future. I believe that all too often we become so focused on the ELL students lack of language understanding that we often are reluctant to use technology with these students. But the fact is learning on the Web is fun for students and it can be very engaging. Research regarding language learning and Web 2.0 tools show that students are more motivated and help improve student writing. One barrier to using Web 2.0 tools to increase student learning and academic learning is that many of these tools are beneficial as a supplement to classroom time. Many of the ELL students may not have access to these tools away from school. But I do not think this concern should be enough to deter teachers from using Web 2.0 tools for ELL students whenever possible.