Globalization means more interaction between native speakers of different languages. Continued immigration to the U.S. means more people that need to learn English. Both are served by the expansion of mobile access, the explosion of EdApps, and the rise of machine learning. EdTech investments of $3 billion last year resulted in improvements to hundreds of reading and wiring apps well we as products specifically for English Language Learners (ELL).
We spent the last month reviewing about a hundred programs and apps in 17 categories. The first eight categories reflect the general trend toward personalized learning, an extremely important benefit to ELL and all students with learning differences (i.e., most of them).
| Adaptive reading | Elementary supplement with ELL supports | i-Ready, Istation, Imagine Learning, Achieve3000 | More content and subjects |
| Leveled readers | Intermediate/middle grade supplement | Accelerated Reader, Lexia, Curriculet, Newsela, MyOn | More titles including open content, better recommendations |
| ELA & math courses with ELL supports | Core secondary curriculum with supports | Apex Learning, Fuel Education, Connections, HMH, Edgenuity, GreatMinds, PreK12Plaza | Personalized supports |
| ELA lessons with ELL supports | Open curriculum resources with ELL adaptations | Achieve the Core, EL Education, EngageNY, BetterLesson, LDC, ThinkCerca, LearnZillion, Pinterest , Quill | Platform integration with learner profiles, teacher coaching |
| Literacy tools with ELL supports | Digital reading and writing tools | OneNote Learning Tools | |
| Vocabulary & content videos | K-12 ELA & subject supplement | BrainPOP, Flocabulary, Study Island, Khan Academy | Personalized adaptive playlists |
| Writing feedback | Core secondary curriculum support | PEG, WriteToLearn, Lightside, WriteLab | Text-to-Speech, feedback translation, better UX |
| Reading Intervention | Secondary double block | Read 180, Achieve3000 | Personalized supports |
The next six categories are tools specifically focused on ELL teachers and students. Example and remaining innovation opportunities are summarized below.
ELL management | Program management, communication, reporting | ELLevation, e-ELL PRO, eStar ELL | Include/link to all other categories; mobile progress monitoring |
ELL courseware | Secondary double block | ELLoquence, Learning Upgrade, Lingual Learning, Rosetta Stone, Middlebury, HMH | Adaptive assessment and supports |
ELL listening | Informal, supplemental | EnglishPodcast, Listen & Speak, Learn English Elementary (Android apps) | Full text and support |
ELL assessments | Track progress | Pearson TELL, WIDA | Instruction embedded |
ELL conversations | Speak with native speakers | Busuu, WeSpeke | K-12 use with vetted mentors |
ELL PD | Technical assistance, coaching, PD, PLC | Confianza, Lingual Learning, VIF, Edmodo | Links to resources, micro-credentials |
This blog is part of the Supporting English Language Learners Series with support from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more, stay tuned for the culminating podcast, infographic and publication.