ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

English Language Learners

Abstract

The ability to read, write, listen and speak English language is a valued skill and many English Language Learners struggle to acquire the skills necessary to be successful in academia. These literacy skills are the backbone of reading in the content-areas of formal schooling. Students who struggle to learn the literacy of school such as English Language Learners benefit from the use of technology which is used by the teachers in the classrooms. Two online programs Starfall.com and Raz-Kids.com, assist students learn the needed literacy skills to be effective. This research project examines the impact these technology-based programs have on English Language Learners throughout the course of a 12-week study for teachers. Despite significant research supporting the use of such programs in literacy learning their limited impact on English Language Learners is explored, and conclusions regarding Literacy instruction to English Language learning are drawn.

Technologies that can help English Language Learners in the classroom

Introduction

Technology is gaining a much larger place in contemporary homes and schools than ever before. Much of our entertainment and communication devices mirror the way in which technology has changed our society. Today technology has become a growing part of educational instruction. In terms of the usage of these new tools to help students attain literacy, Labbo (2005) identifies various forms of media and technology that have been developed. These focus on building skills in phonics, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness. Software programs, interactive online websites, and CD-ROMS are being used more regularly in schools to teach across multiple subject areas, including literacy. Technological resources are increasing and they can be used in the classroom to support literacy. Moreover, teachers are faced with challenges related to non-English speaking immigrant population which is increasing in our schools, particularly Latino students.

Problem of the Study

A challenge for ELL's in attaining fluency and comprehension is because of background knowledge on a given subject, which is limited. CD-ROMs and interactive websites use video clips to provide necessary background knowledge, which allows ELL's to form mental images needed before reading the selected work, which is essential for comprehension. The program Scholastic's Read 180 is an excellent resource that uses this type of technology and also allows the reading passage that follows the video clip to be adjusted to the student's reading level (Butler-Pascoe & Wiburg, 2003). Egbert (2002) has stated that by using multimedia with ELL's, it can provide students with information through graphics, movies, text, and sounds which allows the ELLs the ability to use a variety of modes through which they are able to comprehend the content.

Literature Review

Today, different kinds of technology have being designed for English language learners,, which includes interactive software packages and websites (lacina 2004/05). "Specialized ESL software is designed to help ELLs develop English-language listening, speaking, and reading skills. They range from simple, self-directed pronunciation programs delivered on CD, to complete multimedia software suites, such as Pearson's English Language Learning and Instruction System product line" (Walters, ...