ESL APPS
The following apps are extremely useful tools to implement in an English as a second language classroom environment (Apple, n.d.; Williams, 2012; Writers, 2012).
Face time
FaceTime, a video phone app built into the iPad, is a great way to hold conversations. Since you are able to see how the other person is reacting, FaceTime also makes it easier for students to improve their English skills.This amazing app can be used to arrange conversations between ESL students and English language native students.
Camera APP
The built in camera app lets you record audio and video. ESL students can use this feature to record themselves and then send the recording to others to seek feedback.
Conversation English app
This application is perfect for anyone learning English as a second language. Dedicated to helping you practice and improve your conversational English skills, the Conversation English App provides 20 different lessons.This application is solely dedicated to conversational English lessons. You can learn over 200 common English idioms and expressions, improve your listening skills, and develop conversational speaking skills using this application.
SENTENCE BUILDER
This application is aimed towards elementary aged children learning to build grammatically correct sentences in English, it can also be extremely useful for second language learners. Sentence Builder uses a clear and intuitive interface to help users build English sentences. There are pictures to guide learning and game based tools to encourage learning. At a higher price tag ($5.99), this application also includes a useful statistical tracking system, so that you can see your progress. This application is great for younger kids and is really a wonderful way to practice creating proper English sentences.
intro to letters app
Appropriate for all ESL children, this application runs through all the letters of the English alphabet, introducing them to the structure and pronunciation through tracing, audio, digital flashcards, and phonogram puzzles. This app is based on the proven methodology of Montessori.
speech tutor app
ESL students who need to work on their (American) accent or require a refresher in pronouncing specific letters and phonemes might want to consider this incredibly detailed app, which features animations of the sides and fronts of mouths illustrating proper tongue and lip formations.
Idaily pro hd
This innovative app turns English language news into valuable lessons in listening, grammar and sentence structure with its super amazing custom dictionary allowing users to save words and phrases that need clarifying.
HEllo-hello
This amazing app helps users with their conversational English, providing lessons chosen and selected from real-life scenarios, flash cards, note-taking exercises, and more. The app itself is free, but they charge $1.99 per course, or $14.99 for all 30.
Basic Pronunciation: Clear Speech from the start App
ESL students between the beginner and intermediate level use Basic Pronunciation’s series of fun games as supplements to more formalized lessons in proper speaking.
Wordbook XL – English Dictionary and Thesaurus App
A dictionary is a very important tool for anyone who is learning a new language. This app offers one of the most detailed dictionaries available through the iTunes store partners, all of its entries with audio, etymologies, synonyms and antonyms, anagrams, and the ability to bookmark for future reference. This app is great for ESL students.
Learn English with Busuu.com!
Use this application to build vocabulary regarding typical situations, listen to audio and watch video of native speakers, take tests, and other important ESL lessons; Busuu made sure to include materials suitable for all fluency levels.
Adventures for Kids App
Suitable for children just picking up English as a primary or secondary language, these gentle story-based games nurture vocabulary skills through repetition.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English App
Another excellent dictionary for English language learners, which emphasizes how native speakers actually utilize the 23,000 available words and phrases.
Phonetics Focus App
One of the iPad’s most popular ESL applications. It offers a phonetic typewriter, games, flash cards, audio recording and playback, and other necessities for mastering the English language.
English is Easy -1HD App
Suitable for all ages, the English is Easy app involves a series of 115 high-definition flash cards with some of the most popular vocabulary words, specifically nouns and adjectives.
Berlitz my English Coach for iPad – Classic Version App
This app presents an encouraging animated English coach who walks ESL students young and old through vocabulary, sentence structure, phrases and idioms, questions and answers, practice conversations, history and geography lessons, and a convenient little dictionary all meant to boost their English language proficiency.
PUPPET PALS HD
This app is suitable for ESL K-10 students to practice their fluency & language skills. students select characters, settings, and a title; and then narrate a story while animating the characters and props using their fingers. You can create your own backdrops and characters using pictures from your Camera Roll, and export the finished video files to iMovie, YouTube, etc.
The Cat in the Hat - Dr. Seuss
This app is amazing for ESL students K-2. This app will help students practice reading fluency through echo reading. The app offer students three different ways to read:
-"Read to Me" — listen to the narrated story with words highlighted as they are read
-"Read it Myself" — read the book in its traditional form
-"Auto Play" — plays like a movie, automatically reading and turning pages.
-"Read to Me" — listen to the narrated story with words highlighted as they are read
-"Read it Myself" — read the book in its traditional form
-"Auto Play" — plays like a movie, automatically reading and turning pages.
In this video you'll see how a first grade classroom uses some of the iPad apps mentioned above to learn literacy skills: