English is the international language of the world, with over 146 countries speaking it. There are only 5 countries in the world that do not teach English. English has no gender or word agreement and has simple grammar compared to other languages.English language learner resources are tools to help English language learners improve their language development. These students learn English as it isn't their first language. English language learning resources are crucial for these students because the interactive visual aids allow these students to follow at their own pace.
The Importance Of English Language Learning
Resources For Teachers
English language learning resources are crucial for teachers of English language learners. English language learning is enhanced by interactive visual aids and lessons students can follow at their own pace, which is why they are crucial for teachers and students.There are several free English language learning resources that teachers can use to benefit students.
- Colorin Colorado
Colorin Colorado is a website that offers a variety of materials for students and teachers. The material is great for K-12 and is especially geared toward Spanish-speaking English language learners. The website also has an educator page that discusses all things ELL.They offer a wide variety of resources covering multiple language skills. They offer videos, research articles, books, toolkits, and more for students.
2. FluentU
FluentU takes videos like music videos, movie trailers, news, and more and turns them into language lessons. You can browse the blogs for English teachers to gather lesson ideas and blogs focused on standardized English tests.
3. Starfall
Starfall is a site ideal for preschool and kindergarten students. They focus on interactive lessons, numbers, vocabulary, and pronunciation activities. Putting fun activities with academic material is the key to effective English as a second language education.Starfall places a strong emphasis on reading and can help you develop classroom material for students that is interactive.
4. Reading Is Fundamental
Reading is Fundamental is a great ELL website that focuses on reading. Their focus is for children to enjoy and implement reading into their daily lives. This website is geared toward students from preschool to 3rd grade. They provide interactive resources as well as printable exercises and reading activities.
5. Literacy Center Education Network
This website is great for younger students. Literacy Center Education Network is split into pages including resources, parents and teachers, print and practice, and play and learn.The play and learn page has various exercises, including spelling, counting, puzzles, and writing. Students can practice shapes, lowercase, uppercase, word matching, spelling, and more.They offer printable pages that can create a worksheet your students will find enjoyable.
6. Using English
Using English is geared toward all levels and ages. Their website has several categories, including tests, quizzes, forums, articles, tools, and material you can use when creating lesson plans. Teachers can choose from a large variety of resources in the handouts section, which includes over 800 free printable lesson plans, worksheets, and more.Here are the top English language learning resources for teachers.
1. Duolingo
Duolingo is a free program that guides you through colorful activities that focus on listening, writing, and speaking. Duolingo helps students learn new vocabulary and grammar through games and quizzes.The program has students start creating sentences and teaches words and phrases in context. Duolingo is available for iOS and Android and is free.
2. Babbel
Babbel allows students to practice vocabulary and grammar through quizzes and mini-games. They focus on repetition and also offer a speech recognition tool to improve speaking skills. Babbel allows students to earn achievements, compete against friends and set weekly goals to complete.Babbel is available for iOS and Android. They offer a monthly subscription for $7.45 or a fee of $349 for lifetime access.
3. BBC Learning English
BBC Learning English teaches English through activities, videos, and more. They offer high-quality material for those wanting to learn British English. The website is designed for intermediate and advanced English learners.BBC Learning English teaches with BBC-style videos and radio broadcasts that focus on topics such as news, the latest English words and phrases, and videos that explain pronunciation in detail. Each video includes post-listening activities to check comprehension.
4. Phrasemix
Phrasemix is a very audio-focused resource. It simulates how people learn languages. Instead of learning new words, Phrasemix teaches you whole phrases. They also focus on phrases that real people use in real life.Phrasemix's audio player allows students to listen to each sentence one at a time and rewind or skip to a new sentence or slow it down. The sentences are very natural, and each is broken down so students can understand each phrase used.Phrasemix has a mobile version for Android and offers some free lessons, $15 for 1 month of access or $132 for a year of access.
5. Busuu
Busuu combines culture and several learning styles, from audio-visual to traditional listening and reading activities. The activities use flash cards and mini lessons on vocabulary, grammar and phrases. Bussu uses repetition to teach English. Students read and hear a word or phrase and then do practice activities to use and remember the phrase or word.Bussu also helps with pronunciation and conversation through chat which allows students to speak and interact with native English speakers. Busuu offers mobile versions for iOS and Android and offers a free plan or premium plan for $6.95 a month.
Assessing And Selecting Resources For Learning English As A Second Language
The ELL resources that you use should fit your student's age, level, and learning needs. Choosing the right resources for your students is crucial.Here are a few things to consider when choosing ELL resources:
- Look for features that match your students' personalities, attitudes and learning styles
- Choose material suitable for your student's needs and English level
- Ensure that the resources have relevant and practical material. Students should be learning English in a practical manner relevant to daily life
Additional Strategies To Help English Language Learning Students Succeed
There are additional strategies that can be put in place to help English language learning students to succeed, including:
1. Encourage Use Of Student's Home Language
Using students' home languages in class can help to build comprehension, deepen understanding, build confidence, and give students a chance to express themselves. Teachers can set time limits and put rules in place for reporting in English.
2. Increase Oral Academic Language
Ask your students to show work and explain their process to others to practice academic language. Use sentence frames that students can practice and use on a regular basis.
3. Silent Periods
It is common for students learning a new language to be silent for a time period when they are listening to the language without speaking it yet. Be patient and give your students opportunities for success in speaking with you and your peers before speaking in front of large groups.
4. Consider Culture
Culture can play a large role in how students interact with peers and learn. They may be used to working cooperatively on tasks, so they may need to learn expectations for independent work. Share guidance on when independent work is expected and what you expect.
5. Increase Comprehensible Input And Language Output
English language learners learn through the language they experience or the input and the language they produce or the output. Students should be given opportunities to produce language and receive direct feedback to increase comprehension and skills.Strategies for this can include:
- Reading out loud or playing audio text
- Front-load vocabulary before reading
- Provide a similar text in the student's first language
- Include artwork, videos, stories, and more
- Slow down speech
- Use graphs and visuals
- Use closed captioning for videos
- For every 10 minutes of lecture, stop for 2 minutes of student engagement
Strategies for increasing language output include:
- Providing multiple opportunities for unstructured and structured talk
- Opportunities for students to collaborate with peers
- Include open-ended questions in lessons
- Provide low-stakes writing opportunities on all content daily
6. Promote Class Interaction
When teaching English language learners, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation develop faster when opportunities for interaction in the classroom are offered. Model and practice academic language so students can engage with one another. Use question prompts like:
- Let me see if I understand you…
- Can you tell me more about…?
Teachers should provide opportunities for structured interactions with a clear purpose and goal. Activities such as book clubs, student interviews, picking a side on a specific topic, and more can help encourage these interactions.
The Best English Language Learner Resources For Teachers
English language learner resources are crucial for teachers to ensure their students' success. These resources have been proven to encourage language development and allow students to learn at their own pace. Interactive resources engage students and make learning fun.Use the resources and strategies listed in this article to increase your students' language development and comprehension.
