After
searching and looking through multiple ESOL websites I reached the conclusion
that it is very difficult to find ESOL specific websites for my particular
classroom setting. I wanted to find a website that would give me useful
language tools for teachers, students, and parents. As a bilingual teacher I am
always looking for articles and resources about teaching language structures
(forms/functions). I also look for engaging activities for my students. Many of
the websites that I looked through were not very user-friendly or appealing. These
websites had too much adverting and links to other products. These websites
would not be appropriate for the age level I work with (K/1st
grade).
A
website that I looked at was ABEWeb. This is an ESOL website with multiple
links to resources for different levels ranging from K-12 grade. After looking
at the main menu I selected level 0 because I work with k-1st grade
students. After selecting Level 0 another page opened up with more selections:
grammar, listening, pronunciation, reading, spelling, vocabulary, writing, and
topic specific links. After selecting a topic a new page opened up with games,
listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. This website has specific
vocabulary links with vocabulary pictures and the correct pronunciation of each
word. I liked this website because it was not cluttered with advertising. It
was very simple looking and straight forward. It had some good ideas for
teaching students different topics such as food and daily living. I personally
would not use this website because it seems to be for an older audience
although it is describes as a K-1 website. I would suggest this website for
older students or parents looking to better their English.
link to website: https://abeweb.mpls.k12.mn.us/
This
assignment was very difficult. I would have liked to have found a website that
connected better to my schools philosophy of teaching English. Our district is
using Literacy Squared in many schools and to be honest none of these websites
support their ideology of teaching English. One of the main objectives of Literacy Squared is to teach language in context. English is taught in a literacy based way with
culturally relevant text and cross language connections. Language is a resource
and many of these websites to do not have this concept. It made sense not being
able to find a website that I could use because there are so many different
programs for teaching English. It is even difficult for our districts in Oregon
to come to agreement on the most ideal program for our ELL’s.
Although
it was difficult finding a specific ESOL website that I would use in my
classroom there are many websites that are not ESOL specific that I would use
to support my ELL’s. There are reading websites such readinga-z, starfall,
pbskids, and tumblebooks that are very useful and provide a context to the
language students are learning.
