Use classroom management platforms and other tools to overcome barriers to language learning
contribution from Al Kingsley, CEO of NetSupport
Teaching a language, whether for ESL students or those learning something new like French or Spanish, requires many of the same teaching skills as any other subject.
Yet in some critical ways – particularly for ESL students – the challenges are amplified by the comprehension barrier. Much like the obstacles any student may face, students learning languages hit plateaus and lose. to focusare unmotivatedget distractedand what is probably the most obvious, are embarrassed by lack of confidence.
Edtech can help you. There are many, many products explicitly aimed at language teaching and even more that are more general in use, but which, when explored from a language learning perspective, have surprising benefits. So let’s take a look at the most common challenges language learners face and the surprising ways edtech can overcome them. These tips include new ways to use your classroom management platform in ways you might not have imagined.
Challenge #1: concentration
A class of 30 students is a handful. If they are all relatively similar in skills, teaching is easier, but add a few ESL students or those behind or above grade level, and the challenges multiply. Being a member of my county’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Board, I am keenly aware of this impact on a teacher’s day, especially when every teacher I have encountered is so dedicated to meeting the individual needs of each student .
ESL students in particular need learning tools tailored to their skill level. Teachers usually know exactly which resource each student needs, but sometimes all 30 of them need a different resource or are at a different level. Keeping them all on track and engaged can take away from teaching time. Your classroom management solution is probably the best resource you have for this particular problem. Use it to launch a learning app directly on a student’s desktop without leaving yours. It’s also possible to send websites and documents to students, and monitor how long they’ve been on a particular learning site or app without leaving your desk.
Challenge #2: Motivation
Intrinsic motivation is what we aim for, that is, making our students feel free and proud of their work. Teachers are great cheerleaders in this regard and we don’t want technology to be a barrier. Instead, think of it as a tool to encourage and encourage them.
For the ESL student, developing a presentation about their country of origin, food, or anything unique to their culture is an opportunity for a student to show what they know. Many edtech tools are great for showcasing this type of creativity. Consider using a comic book program like Pixton or a digital whiteboard like Creatly to create storyboard presentations. Book Creator is another tool for presenting information. Each of these tools encourages creative expression and action.
Don’t forget to check your classroom management platform, as it probably also has a digital whiteboard. Teachers can provide feedback directly to the student’s device or even use it for whole-class teaching, and of course, the student can use it as a scratch board or storyboard tool.
Challenge #3: Distractions
Few people like to talk about distractions because it seems impossible to control them. Distractions come from other students, phones, noises outside the window, and the very technology we place in front of our students. Teachers are excellent time managers, but even seasoned teachers agree that it’s difficult to keep students on task.
For the language learner, failing to stay on task is often a symptom of a larger problem, such as not fully understanding instructions in the first place. These students need more direct contact with their teacher to stay on task. Using a classroom management platform like NetSupport School makes these nudges and redirects much less disruptive. From the app on the teacher’s desktop, the teacher can see students’ screens and what they’re working on, and even close windows and apps for students who aren’t doing good work.
This same tactic also helps the student learn a foreign language such as those in French, Spanish or German classes. With this same classroom management app, teachers can monitor how long a student has been interested in the material assigned to them. Too long may not be intentional. The student may simply have difficulty understanding, which a teacher can quickly recognize and remedy. Provide additional instruction to individual students or groups using chat, audio, or video recordings. The student can then replay or slow down the direction for better understanding.
Challenge #4: Trust
Low self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence are not the same thing, but they tend to go hand in hand. I know many students (and adults) with high self-esteem who lack the confidence to take on new things in unfamiliar situations. What’s surprising is how many people don’t realize what’s really causing them to get stuck or reach a plateau. Teachers, on the other hand, have an uncanny ability to understand why a student isn’t trying.
The traditional approach of simply giving a few words of encouragement works, and in these cases, the right educational technology is a real asset. Giving students a way to remain anonymous while they take risks is perhaps the biggest reason why I love quizzing tools like Kahoot! and Jotform. Teachers know about Kahoot!, but maybe not JotForm, which is free for limited use. Whichever tool you choose, try using surveys and question boards, whether those included in your classroom management platform or using external tools and managing them simply from the classroom management platform.
Working one-on-one with students is probably the most effective way to overcome trust issues, and this is where NetSupport’s tools become particularly useful. NetSupport School actually includes a Languages Lab feature that connects teachers more closely for audio monitoring. In addition to seeing what’s happening at a student’s desk, indicators show when each student is listening to audio or speaking into a microphone. There, teachers can listen to each student’s progress and record anything so that the student can refer to it later.
There is a common theme to all of these suggestions: using more technology while being more personal and private. Few teachers have enough time to meet the needs of each individual and to do so without singling out an individual who needs that support. This is why the tools that allow teachers to provide this help without all the other students who are aware of this are so valuable. This is how students who struggle with a new language feel more respected and supported.
Al Kingsley is the CEO of NetSupport. He is an author, chair of the Multi Academy Trust group of schools in the UK, learning ambassador and chair of its regional board for special educational needs and disabilities. A 30-year industry veteran, he has written books on edtech, school governance, and school growth.
