Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language

Acquisition.

Jailenne Moreno

Fall 2022

CUIN 7347: Seminar in Learning, Design, and Technology

Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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Introduction

Acquiring a new language is a common challenge many individuals encounter. Students

whose families have immigrated to the United States have difficulty adjusting to a new life and

mastering a new language. The process can be both exciting and daunting for them. It requires

patience, persistence, and willingness to leave their comfort zone. When students enter a school

in the United States as newcomers, they are often assigned to a classroom that offers bilingual

support where they are with peers who know the same language. Those classrooms have teachers

who not only are certified but also understand the challenge that comes with learning a new

language. They assist in helping students grasp not only the curriculum being taught but also

acquire the new language. Not only do teachers play a significant role in students learning a new

language, but technology has become a crucial part of this process. Technology has provided

many tools and programs such as interactive tools, online resources, and different language

learning apps that enhance and make learning engaging for the students. By teachers integrating

technology into their lessons, it benefits students and it can make them excel in their language

learning journey.

Technology has provided teachers with a variety of tools to improve classroom lessons

and increase student engagement. “Another commonality is that most of the technologies, are

designed primarily to promote interaction and collaboration with others.”(Schindler, 2017).

These different tools are useful for students learning a new language, whether supporting

academic progress or facilitating social language acquisition and interacting with their peers in

various settings. Incorporating technology into the lesson makes learning interactive and

enjoyable for students. Now, there are other platforms that are available that offer a range of

interactive exercises, games, and multimedia resources to cater to different learning styles. Using
Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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these different tools will help students practice and reinforce their language skills not only in the

classroom but also outside the classroom setting.

I decided to focus on this topic because I work closely with bilingual and newcomer

students. I have used various online tools and programs to assist my students in learning and

enhancing their English language. I have worked with fourth-grade students and my focus is

helping them transition to English in their state tests. At the beginning of the school year, my

students came to me having taken the test in Spanish, and we set a goal to transition into English

by the end of the school year. I have utilized a variety of online tools and programs to support my

students in their journey not only to learn the language but also to enhance it. By using these

different technology tools, my students can increase their English academically and socially with

their peers. From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, I can observe the confidence

my bilingual students gain when speaking English with non-bilingual students. It was a proud

moment when some students were scared of speaking English in front of their peers, and after

some months, they were confident enough to speak in front of the class in English to share their

knowledge. Technology has played a big part in getting my students to be confident and it is very

important to share the programs that are important to implement in a bilingual classroom to help

bilingual students acquire a new language.

Benefits

When students start learning a new language, they may initially experience anxiety and

nervousness. It's crucial to reassure them that it's normal to encounter challenges and moments of

difficulty, but with time and effort, they will grasp the language. In the beginning, some students
Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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might even be resistant to ever trying to read or speak the language due to failing. Teachers

should encourage students to step out of their comfort zone and engage with their peers in the

new language. Creating a supportive and inclusive environment where your students feel they are

safe to make mistakes, will help them build confidence and overcome their fears. One way to be

able to get your students to try speaking the language is by partnering them with a peer who

knows both languages that way your student can start feeling confident in speaking the new

language, even if it's a few words. This peer support system not only will create a sense of

community but also allow the students to practice speaking and listening in a low-pressure

setting.

Acquiring a second language brings many benefits for bilingual individuals, Some

benefits include cognitive, emotional, and physical development, academic success, cultural

understanding, economic opportunities, and health benefits.

One of the benefits of bilingual education in individuals is cognitive, emotional, and

physical development. When students know two or more languages, although they might be

using one language to talk or write, their second language is active at the same time.

Metalinguistics skills develop at a younger age for bilingual students rather than other children.

This helps bilingual students develop phonological awareness skills faster than the rest of their

peers. Spitzer states that research indicates managing multiple languages affects brain structure

and function. Specifically, bilingualism has a beneficial impact on cognitive control, also known

as executive function. (Spitzer, 2016) Bilingualism positively influences cognitive control, also

known as executive function, which involves managing one's thoughts, impulses, behaviors,

emotions, multitasking, organizing ideas, logical thinking, and decision-making. Being bilingual

not only enhances cognitive abilities but also plays a crucial role in emotional and physical
Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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development. This cognitive ability encompasses the management of thoughts, impulses,

behaviors, emotions, multitasking, idea organization, logical reasoning, and decision-making.

Engaging in bilingual education can genuinely enhance a person's overall development.

There are many advantages to being a bilingual student, and schools are offering valuable

resources to help students acquire a second language. These programs are not only improving

language skills, but they also promote diversity, tolerance, and global awareness among students.

Schools are preparing students to thrive in a multicultural society. Recognition and appreciation

of cultural diversity, valuing differences, promoting understanding, and fostering harmonious

relations are key objectives of intercultural education within curriculum development. The

multicultural perspective should be integrated throughout the curriculum, not as a separate

subject. (Abduh et al., 2023). Exposure to various cultures and religions introduces students to

new perspectives outside their communities. Many students don’t travel far from their

neighborhoods, much less interact with individuals from different backgrounds. Interacting with

new people and encountering different cultures allows students to engage with others learning

various cultures and explore a world different than their own.

Being bilingual opens the door to new opportunities, not just in personal life but also

professionally. Proficiency in more than one language boosts cognitive skills like

problem-solving and multitasking which many employers value. Employers highly value

bilingual individuals who can effectively communicate with a diverse range of clients and

colleagues, giving bilingual individuals a competitive edge. Communicating with a wider range

of people is a valuable skill in professional environments since communication is essential for

success. “When particular L2 skills are high in-demand, speakers of that language gain access to
Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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a wider pool of jobs and/ or have the ability to specialize in tasks that involve language skills

within their professions” (Churkina et al., 2023).

Lastly, an additional advantage of bilingualism is its positive impact on health. Research

indicates that being bilingual can benefit brain health by potentially delaying cognitive decline in

the elderly. Other studies have highlighted how bilingualism helps the brain handle ambiguities,

resolve conflicts, and potentially resist Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. In a

Canadian immigrant study by Chertkow et al. (2010), Alzheimer's disease-related dementia

diagnosis was delayed by nearly 5 years in immigrants and non-immigrants with French as their

first language, but not in those with English as their first language. (Meulenberg, 2021).

Online Tools and Programs

Technology has revolutionized the way teachers engage with their students in the

classroom. By providing tools and resources for collaboration, technology has made it easiest for

students to work with each other, share ideas, and even learn from each other. Technology has

also made learning more engaging through interactive and multimedia content that results in

students being interested and motivated. “including benefits of technology, student-centered

learning, new technology discovery, access issue, and teacher-centered teaching” (Mukminin et

al., 2020). Technology continues to play a crucial role in not only enhancing the teaching and

learning experience but also empowering teachers and students to achieve their full potential in

their educational journey.

Integrating technology in the classroom shows many advantages for students. In a

bilingual classroom, technology provides additional benefits. Teachers have access to different
Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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programs and tools that can support English language skills in a classroom. Despite the

abundance of available resources, it can be challenging at times to locate the right resources to

support English language learners effectively. One way to support English language learning is

by incorporating interactive online platforms to acquire and build on the language. Utilizing

multimedia resources such as videos and interactive games can make the language-learning

process more enjoyable for students. By integrating technology thoughtfully and purposefully,

teachers can create a rich learning environment that fosters the language development of

students.

Different online tools have built-in support to differentiate instruction for the students in

the classroom. Differentiation is important in the classroom due to the different students learning

in various ways, having reading levels that differ, and other students might need extra support

with learning. By providing differentiated instruction, the teacher can cater to the diverse needs

of their students to ensure that each learner has the opportunity to succeed in both languages.

Newsela, ThinkCERCA, and Khan Academy are great programs that offer a range of features to

support differentiation. Newsela offers to adjust the reading text at five variable Lexile levels in

both English and Spanish. “To be specific, it not only provides a feasible solution to the

foregoing issues, but also offers L2 learners differentiated, personalized and immersive reading

experiences.” (Yu & Wen, 2023). ThinkCERCA offers scaffolding by providing text at different

levels with audio versions. “ThinkCERCA utilizes many technology tools to engage learners,

including an option to have the text read to them, online formative assessments with instant

feedback, dialogue boxes with helpful hints, and an interactive rubric.” (Freedman, 2017). Khan

Academy is another example of a tool that enhances English language learning in other subjects

in 12 different languages. “Khan Academy is a famous open courseware initiative. It provides

Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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OERs in different educational disciplines. Those resources include instructional videos,

exercises, and other techniques.” (Yassine 2020). By embracing differentiation in the classroom,

it creates an inclusive environment in the classroom where students can thrive and reach their

full potential.

Education technology has become a very important part of everyday life for many

students, and now is a very essential tool in a classroom. With the increase in edtech, educators

should explore personalized edtech programs that suit their classroom needs. Adaptive programs

customize learning based on students' information. One example of an adaptive program is Lexia

English Language Development. This edtech program allows teachers to personalize the learning

for each student based on the skills needed and their proficiency level. Adaptive blended learning

technology presents an effective method to assist English language learners by merging English

language acquisition with academic learning. This type of edtech allows students to progress at

their own speed both in school and in social environments. Selecting the appropriate edtech

equips teachers with the necessary data and tools to personalize instruction for their students.

“The students said that blended learning helps them to understand the material easily.”

(Puspitasari, 2023).

There are numerous educational technology programs available for teachers to implement

blended learning in their classrooms and assist English language learners. Here are some

programs that can be implemented in a classroom to effectively use technology in the classroom.

● Newsela

● Khan Academy

● ThinkCERCA
Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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● Edpuzzle

● Brainpop ELL

● EPIC

● Flip

● Reading A-Z

● Kahoot

● Nearpod

● Peardeck

Using these tools in a classroom can enhance the learning experience for students.

Teachers should take the time to thoroughly research and understand these programs before

integrating them into their classrooms and lesson plans. By creating a strategy on how to

incorporate these tools effectively, teachers can maximize their impact on student engagement

and comprehension. This is very important for English learning students since these programs

can provide additional support and resources to help the student excel in the second language. By

embracing these different edtech tools, teachers can create a more dynamic and inclusive

learning environment for all students.

Results

Being bilingual can open up a world of opportunities and advantages. Studies have

demonstrated that incorporating technology into bilingual classrooms can significantly enhance

the learning experience for students. With access to interactive tools, online resources, and

language-learning apps, students can engage more with the material, practice language skills, and
Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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broaden their cultural awareness. One study examines the impact of educational technology use

on academic outcomes for English language learners (ELLs) in bilingual and English-only

classrooms. Positive associations were found between technology use in reading and improved

academic outcomes, especially in bilingual classrooms. Technology aligned with constructivist

teaching strategies was more effective for ELL students, emphasizing the importance of

culturally relevant experiences and interactive learning. “we found higher math and reading

scores in classrooms using tablets after controlling for prior year performance and instructor

capacity” (Darling & Heinrich, 2018). This article highlights how increased technology use

correlates with higher reading scores for English Language Learners, especially in bilingual

classrooms. Teachers using blended strategies more frequently show improved results, especially

those with prior technology experience. Aligning technology with constructivist teaching

approaches benefits emergent bilingual students' learning. From the details shared in the article,

it is evident that implementing blended learning in bilingual classrooms will enhance the

learning experience for English language learners across various subjects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, acquiring a new language poses challenges for immigrant students in the

US, yet schools offer bilingual assistance. Both teachers and technology play vital roles in

language learning, providing interactive resources. Bilingualism not only brings cognitive

advantages but also prepares students for a diverse society. Being proficient in several languages

brings professional benefits and boosts brain health. Technology fosters student interaction and

involvement, aiding in English language development. Platforms such as Newsela and Khan
Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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Academy offer tailored learning opportunities. Lastly, incorporating technology in bilingual

classrooms enhances academic achievements for English language learners.

Technology Programs and Tools for Elementary Students to Enhance English Language Acquisition.
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