With the growing number of English Language Learners (ELL) in Canadian classrooms, it is essential that teachers be equipped with the tools necessary to help them be successful! With the help of free, downloadable, online extensions you can better support the ELL in your classroom. These built-in accessibility extensions can increase learners’ independence and decrease their reliance on external help (i.e. teacher).
Chrome Extensions
The read-write extension can be used with various documents and webpages, enabling valuable features such as: speech, screen masking, word prediction, hover speech, screenshot reader, dictionary, picture dictionary, vocabulary lists, talk & type, and text translator. Here are some ‘I Can Statements’ students can use to self-assess their proficiency using the various Read Write features. Here is a handout that details the different Read Write features (and icons) along with their use and/ or function.
Click here for instructions on:
- How to add Chrome Extensions to your browser.
- Read & Write Chrome
- Read & Write for Google Chrome™ An Introduction
A tool that clears clutter (pop-ups, advertisements, etc.) from articles online. When viewing an article full of distractions, simply click the extension and instantly all of that disappears. Can be optimized for printing.
Wikiwand is an award-winning interface that optimizes Wikipedia’s amazing content for a quicker and significantly improved reading experience! Here are some wikiwand features:
► New clean layout for optimal readability
► Great modern typography
► Convenient fixed table-of-contents
► Text to speech in dozens of languages
► Featured articles summaries
► Quick preview when hovering over links
► Multi-language search with thumbnails
► Beautiful, immersive cover photos
► Larger photos and better media gallery
► Color, font and layout personalization
PowerPoint Live
This is an included feature when using the web-based version of Powerpoint 365 (it will not work when using the downloaded, desktop application). When an instructor is providing whole-class instruction, this feature can be enabled to have their words translated at the bottom of the screen (in whatever language they choose); allowing translation in real-time! Teachers can also invite students to join the lesson using a device that enables learners to personalize the translation language (allowing the lesson to be translated in multiple languages simultaneously). Watch this video to see this great accessibility feature in action!
Slideshow Resource
Check out these slides for more information:
Supporting Language Learners Using Technology
Guest post by Peer Tutor Tamara Jabboour and Ariane Faria dos Santos, October 2023.