ESL Software / Apps

Some are wondering if Language Centers will become a thing of the past. Since every student will probably own a computer, there will no longer be a need to go to a computer lab or language center. I also wonder about the role that language software will play in the future. Will everything be web based? Or will there still be a need for stand along computing? Some of the problems we are now facing in our language center is the computers have been upgraded to a new operating system which wont run some of the older but useful software programs we have purchased. This has frustrated the teachers as now things that used to work in the past are not working any more. Some teachers go into survival mode and simply cut out Language Center assignments until it can be figured out if new software will be purchased to replace older versions that no longer work, or if there is better software available. Sometimes the conclusion is made that the software was really not needed and the teacher is leery (distrustful) about using the materials found in the language center. Regardless, this lesson focuses on four software packages as well as other materials useful in helping English language learners. Language Center Software Write a review/reaction paragraph(s) about each of the software programs listed below. Include print screens of the software that is relevant to your review.
[A review/reaction paragraph not only summarizes what the software can do, but also gives your opinion and feelings of the software.]

Pop Cap Games => Typer Shark Deluxe

Review/Reaction/Screen Shot:

Typer Shark is an easy program to learn how to type faster. It is a good source in teaching because it is a good way to build fluency with recognizing the alphabet. Builds typing speed so students can write their essays faster.
Read Up Speed Up

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Read up- Speed up is a program to help students to improve their comprehension skills and reading speed. There are four different levels. Students can choose the story that they like to

read and choose what level, how many lines, and how fast they want to practice. There is a quiz after each short story. It can be used in a reading class to improve students reading speed, and it will help them to read faster.
Pronunciation Power 1 & 2

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Pronunciation power is a program that helps students to learn and practice their pronunciation. The program provides real human sounds and pictures for students to follow their pronunciation. There are many different sounds that students can practice and learn. For example, if a student is having trouble with the iy sound, he/she can look at the mouth

movement and try to say it that way. There are some exercises for students to do and improve their speaking.
ESL Renegades (levels A, B, or C found at the Front Desk)

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Students have the opportunity to capture four renegades (each representing a common language problem) by identifying errors embedded in sentences. Correct answers lead to renegades being recruited, deputized, and then becoming respected sheriffs. Incorrect answers receive specific feedback and mean that renegade is still on the loose. Students of all ability levels will enjoy the challenge and motivation of this effective series. Tense Buster: http://www.ClarityEnglish.com/area1/TenseBuster/Start.php?prefix=BYUH

Review/Reaction/Screen Shot

Tense Buster helps learners improve their understanding of key grammar areas from some/any at Elementary level to phrasal verbs at Advanced level. The program is ideal as a self-access resource for extension or remedial work, or integrated into a course of study and used for classwork or homework. Each unit begins with a presentation based on a dialogue, newspaper article or radio broadcast, where learners are encouraged to form theories about how the grammar works. Next comes a grammar rule where they confirm or correct their theories. Learners then move on to practice activities in which the language is contextualized and key aspects of form and function are highlighted. The program includes detailed feedback in exercises to help students understand where they went wrong, so they can avoid making the same mistakes in future. Each unit includes a video-based pronunciation exercise relating to the grammar point

Demo Software online (choose one): http://www.clarityenglish.com/program/Pronunciation.php

or http://media.pearsoncmg.com/intl/elt/pcdp/fog/samples/fog3/start.htm Review/Reaction/Screen Shot:

This program contains presentations, practice exercises, or quizzes and tests based on the developing students grammar skills. It includes a lot of exercises for students to practice. It is a useful tool for students to learn English, and it is easy to use. Do a web search for ESL Software/Apps. What software would you recommend our language center purchase that we dont already have? Support your recommendations with why need this software/app and how it could be used?

Recommendations & Support:

101 Languages of the World offers foundational elements and tools to learn English grammar, speaking, reading and writing. The ESL component of this application is a learning module that immerses in English grammar, text, translations, information, audio and illustrations. The text comes from stories, articles, tutorials, movies and more. Learning English in the immersion environment is separated into five segments: theater, reading, activities, pronunciation and conversation. The theater segment provides images and text. Images are available on the theater screen and reading screen. The reading screen

presents English text to read and learn vocabulary. Readers also can use the sound feature as they read and listen to words and segments. The reading screen shows translations, the roots of words and grammatical information. It would be great for BYUH students who want to learn another language.

Other Language Center Materials Many ESL schools focus solely on helping students pass the TOEFL or TOEIC test. Our language center has some preparatory materials which can help a student do so. Look through the TOEFL or TOEIC materials that the Language Center has and then write a review/reaction paragraph about the material. Include enough details about the materials to show that you actually looked at the materials and learned something.

Review/Reaction:
The materials in language center included some strategies in answering the different types of questions in the TOEFL test. There are also some useful tips to find the correct answers. Most of materials have some examples for students to practice such as in the speaking and writing sections. It can help students to build better skills in expressing their ideas and build up their vocabulary. Most materials have written instructions and audio materials for practicing listening and speaking skills. Most materials has the actual sample test to practice for a real TOEFL and TOEIC.

Do you think Speaking tutors are a necessary part of learning a language? Explain.

Answer:
I think speaking tutors are a necessary part of learning a language because second language learners do not have many opportunities to speak the target language. They definitely need a tutor to help them practice and correct their pronunciation. The speaking tutors are a good platform for the language learners to practice the basic conversations and build their confident to speak in a foreign language.

Other Online Software sites: http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/ http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/pdfs/softwarevendors.pdf http://www.tesol.net/teslsoft.html

Apps for mobile devices are the new rage in teaching. There seems to be an app for about everything. List several apps that you think would help you in your teaching. If you dont have a mobile device, you can still add apps to your Google Chrome page. http://chrome.google.com/webstore 1. App name: English Flashcards for ESL

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This flashcard web app is for ESL (English as Second Language) students to prepare tests like TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, and SAT. It can read each word and offer definitions in 20 languages. Students also can view English definition and example of each word from big card. It can help building vocabulary and preparing future exam. This app collects lots of word lists for various requirements and levels. It organizes words by units and pages, and offers 3 status: new, known, and need-review to help you improve performance and save time.
2. App name: ESL Plan a Picnic

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This app takes away the intimidation of practicing new language skills by practicing conversational English. ESL ai Conversational Simulation 2 places the student in an artificial social setting, a phone call from a friend planning a picnic. Read the questions and reply by typing answers.
3. App name: ESL Order Pizza

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This app takes away the intimidation of practicing new language skills by practicing conversational English. ESL conversational simulation, lesson 1, places the student in an artificial social setting, a pizza restaurant, in which to engage in conversational English with a waitress who asks questions about your order. Read her questions and reply by typing answers.

4. App name: PIE Learn English

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This International Edition is intended for people who learn English as a second language (ESL) to learn correct pronunciation (and pronunciation is also key to spelling); therefore the scheme mimics the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) which is familiar to most ESL learners around the world. Finishing Touches Blog after every class about what you are learning. Add a border and a background color to this document, but make sure it is still easy to read. Name this document ESL Software and save it as a PDF or Word Document in your portfolio folder. Link the file to your Home Page.