Week 10: Assistive Technology and English Language Learners

English language learners are student whose first language is not English. Most of these students are still learning English. The number of English language learners (ELL) is becoming more popular in schools. According to Smart (2008), by 2015 one in three Americans will be ELL. In the last two decades the amount of students has nearly tripled( Smart, 2008). This includes a variety of languages from all over.


ELL can use a variety of technology to help them learn English. Technology can make school fun for ELL. So it is important to try to incorporate it as must as possible. The use of technology can help ELL in social settings as well. One program is called read naturally. This program helps develop students fluency (Smart, 2008). Another program is Rosetta stone. This software helps associate images with English word to build vocab (Smart, 2008). Both of these software's are designed to help on an individual basis. Some other programs include Lexia Reading, My Reading Coach, and Reading Assistants. Each address a different part of the English language (Smart, 2008). Programs like these can cost hundred to thousands of dollars. Spell checker can also be helpful for ELL. A researcher from the University of Calgary (2002), found that ELL students who used spell checker made 61% of the suggested changes while a native English speak made .3% of the changes. I found this information interesting. Why is the native speaker rejecting so much of the changes? Shouldn't the spell and grammar checks be correct? I know from my experience there are a lot of times when I reject what spell checker has suggested. English is not an easy language to learn. ELL have a significant disadvantage on test and in schools compared to native English speaking students.


Resources:

Esl and the use of assistive technology for writing. (2002). University of Calgary.
 
Smart, M.P. (2008, Dec 10). The word and the world: Technology aids english-language learners. Retreived from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-software-english-language-learners