Awesome Apps!

Here is a compiled list of awesome iPad apps for ELLs. They range from basic phonics, to grammar and syntax. As learning a new language can often be frustrating and at times feel hopeless, it is important for educators to make learning enjoyable.

 

 

  1. Scrabble
  2. Grammar Up
  3. Boggle
  4. Duo Lingo
  5. Intro to Letters
  6. Sounds Right
  7. Sentence Builder for iPad
  8. Speech Tutor
  9. iDaily Pro HD
  10. Hello-Hello English
  11. Basic Pronunciation: Clear Speech from the Start
  12. Wordbook XL – English Dictionary and Thesaurus for iPad
  13. Busuu
  14. Adventures for Kids
  15. Word Wit
  16. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
  17. Phonetics Focus
  18. Sounds: The Pronunciation App
  19. English is Easy – 1 HD
  20. Berlitz My English Coach for iPad
  21. Memrise

Primarily adapted from Best College’s Online article.

Unite for Literacy

“Unite for Literacy” is a fantastic website for ELL students at a very basic level. You can browse through a variety of simple books that work on the student’s vocabulary through repetition and recognition. I would not recommend use of this website for intermediate or advanced level English speakers.

Podcasts!

Podcasts are available online and on iOS/Android devices. Students can download on their own devices or listen at school!

Culips ESL 

Culips ESL Podcast,

Age Range: Best for ages 10-12

This is great resource that allows students to practice conversational English. Helps improve improve fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and understanding of common English expressions!

Tumble

tumblepodcast.com

Age Range: Best for ages 6-12, appropriate for any age

Tumble is a science podcast that shares the stories behind science discovery. It explores how science actually works as a process. With stories ranging from reaching the deepest part of the ocean to hunting for black holes in distant galaxies, Tumble is co-hosted by a science journalist and a teacher.

Book Club For Kids

bookclubforkids.org

Age Range: Best for ages 9-14, appropriate for any age

In every episode of this podcast, a different group of kids discusses a young adult book. Each episode also features a celebrity reader and an interview with the book’s author.

Short & Curly

abc.net.au/radio/programs/shortandcurly

Age Range: Best for ages 7-12, appropriate for any age

Short & Curly is an ethics podcast from Australia. The hosts investigate dilemmas relevant to kids, like whether you have to love your sibling or whether Pokemon Go is actually playing you.

 

Brains On!

brainson.org

Age Range: Best for ages 6-12, but interesting to all curious minds

Each episode of this science podcast is co-hosted by a different kid, tackling their questions with interviews, fun segments, and the occasional musical number. Episodes cover a wide range of topics like carnivorous plants, interpreting dog and cat sounds, and life on other planets.

But Why

digital.vpr.net/programs/why-podcast-curious-kids

Age Range: Best for ages 5-10, but interesting to all curious minds

Produced by Vermont Public Radio, each episode of this podcast starts with an audio recording of a child asking a question (listeners are invited to send in their own), such as why people have different religions, why the sea is salty, and whether bumblebees have hearts. The rest of the episode goes on to answer that question by inviting experts to share their knowledge on the topic in simple language kids can understand.

 

 

List Created by www.cultofpedagogy.com

 

Storybird

This whimsical story making website might be our all time favourite! It gives beautiful images and let’s the creator choose if they want to create a long form story, short, wordless, or a poem. Once you have chosen an image, a number of words will show up on the sides of the image letting you drag and drop each word to create a story. It’s so cute and would be great for ELLs learning to read, write sentences and format narratives!

This would be ideal for students working at a high proficiency (or if student can work with a ELL educator or teacher nearby) as some words are complicated and the website does not give audio pronunciation. Another downside is the stories are in english only.

www.storybird.com

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