ELL-Challenges

Technology Challenges for ELL Teachers
Integrating technology into the classroom is important for any teacher and in some ways, it may be more important for a teacher with students who don’t speak the native language. English Language Learners (ELL) are growing in numbers. “According to the National Center for Educational Statistics the general population has grown 9% from 1993 to 2003, while the ELL population has grown 65% in that same time” (Netc). Students who are learning English while having to stay on top of content are struggling. Technology programs are difficult for many students fluid in English, but they are many times harder for students who are trying to decipher the English directions associated to that program and then have to use it. Many ELL students do not have access to a computer at home. This presents another problem when trying to use such web 2.0 tools such as blogs and wikis. It could take hours for ELL students to first decipher what other students are blogging about and then knowing how to respond in English. Tagging websites for an assignment could become overwhelming because even if a student finds a site that is important to them, it may not be able to relate to the rest of the class. The schoolweb article makes some good points about how presenting technology to ELL students can be confusing and overpowering, so starting slow is best. There are some programs out there that can help with some of these challenges. The article, //Preparing ELLs to be 21st-Century Learners// (colorincolorado), provides some great examples of what to do with ELL students who are struggling with technology: build vocabulary, use handouts, create simple assignments, and give extra time to work and work in groups. Voicethread or Flickr would be great places for an ELL student to start using Web 2.0 tools to get a point across. Pictures can translate to any language. Voicethread would allow a student to draw or create something in their own language by drawing. They could also practice their English skills by recording quick comments. There are many tools to help ELL students transition into the classroom and the world of technology; as educators, we just have to be aware of programs that allow these students to feel comfortable and work through their struggles.

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Being an ESOL teacher for the last six years it is very important to integrate technology into lessons for the ELL students. These students love using technology as much as the regular education students and it is important for educators to provide technology opportunities for all students. This year with my two groups of Kindergarten classes we have been taking them to the computer lab once a week for a 45 minute segment. At the beginning it was challenging since most of them do not have computers at home. We even had one little girl go to the nurse because she had a stomach ache from the scary computer lab. As the year has progressed, it is amazing how much the students have learned. We have several that know their log-in number and password and are able to find the programs that they want to use. Starting in Kindergarten with technology integration will benefit these students for years to come. In the article //Effective Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners// by Karen Pellino, students with English as a Second Language are a significant percentage of the population in our nation’s schools. This population continues to increase more rapidly than that of native English speaking students. ELL students have a high number of dropout rates and are among the lowest ranking in academic achievement and expectations. This is the challenge for teachers as we teach these students to achieve in learning English as well as content area standards. As educators, it is important to reflect on teaching and update our practice to meet the needs of ELL students. Teachers must find effective ways to help ELL students achieve and using Web 2.0 technology can help with this achievement. With the development of new technologies, ELL students are using the computer, internet, and multi-media to support language learning. There are tons of resources online that can be use and the internet is a very functional tool in learning the English language. In the article, //100 Helpful Web Tools for Every Kind of Learner,// it gives you a description of how students learn best and the technology tools to use in acquiring new information. This is a wonderful resource for teachers and educators of ELL students. For ELL students, learning a new language can be a wonderful experience as well as learning a new world and culture. Understanding your students learning challenges and meeting their needs will make them lifelong learners in today’s Web 2.0 world. **Sources: ** **[] **


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