Week 8-Tech Essentials in the ESL Classroom

ELL Specialist: These are “My Tech Essentials” written by Toshiko Maurizio is one my favorite articles of all those I have received though my Google alerts. I love how relevant this article is to our course on Computer Assisted Language Learning. Throughout the article the author describes the an ESL program specialists go to devices when implementing technology in the classroom setting. The ESL specialist serves as an "administrator of multilingual programs" in Beaverton, OR in which "5,000 English language learners  (ELLs) speaking more than 95 different languages" are enrolled (Maurizio, 2017). Having such a large amount of students throughout the district who are learning English as a second language, this administrator encourages his teachers to implement technology as a way to enhance ELL students overall learning. The ESL specialist states, "as a Future Ready district, we use technology to engage students in every lesson, while providing resources to bridge the gap between their native language and English" (Maurizio, 2017). As this district implements the use of technology throughout their instruction of English language learners, they not only benefit their students in terms of providing them with additional ways in which to expand their language skills, but  it allows teachers to assess and document the students progress throughout the school year.

I chose to review this article as it grasped my interest with its content. I have found that as an aspiring ESL educator, it is vital to maintain my knowledge of the importance of incorporating technology into my daily instruction as to enhance my students learning experience. This article does a great job of addressing the benefits of implementing technology within an ESL classroom. Indicating the essential technological devices for the classroom to assist in the English language acquisition of our students. It also goes on to explain the areas of growth that our ELL students will demonstrate as a result of utilizing technology in the classroom environment. 

References

Maurizio, T. (2017, July 21). ELL Specialist: These are “My Tech Essentials”. Retrieved July 21, 2017, from https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/07/21/curriculum-tech-essentials/

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