| Gone are the days when an ESL teacher would stand | | | | practice these questions and get comfortable with the |
| at the front of the classroom with a stack of flash | | | | format of the test. |
| cards asking students to repeat words. These days | | | | Videos and listening programs. A number of websites |
| everything is about technology and it's important for | | | | allow students to watch videos. Whether these are |
| teachers to think about ways to integrate technology | | | | specifically made for English learners, or television |
| into ESL instruction. | | | | shows that are popular, students can easily practice |
| If students have access to computers, either at home | | | | their listening skills. These are also a great way to |
| or in the classroom, then they can greatly enhance | | | | teach slang phrases and pop cultural reference, which |
| their ESL learning. | | | | older students are always excited about learning. |
| Here are just a few ways that you can use | | | | Penpals. With internet access, you can find a site that |
| technology to help ESL learning: | | | | matches penpals. Students enjoy interacting with |
| Games. Young learners in particular enjoy playing | | | | others their age from around the world. Try to find |
| computer games. This is a great way for them to | | | | another teacher in an English speaking country that |
| practice their English while having fun. New learners do | | | | wants to set up an exchange. That's the safest way |
| well with preschool-age programs that teach simple | | | | to start this type of program. |
| concepts like colors, shapes, and the ABCs. More | | | | Of course, there's no substitute for vocabulary learning |
| advance students enjoy word games. Make sure that | | | | and conversation practice, but when you integrate |
| you choose games that reinforce English. | | | | technology into ESL instruction, you expand the |
| Practice drills and tests. Students that are older often | | | | number of ways that students can learn and practice |
| have to take English proficiency exams. Computer | | | | their English. |
| programs can be an excellent way for them to | | | | |