Eleven Remote Learning Resources for English Learners
By Melody Johnson, Curriculum Developer and Writer from Georgia
English Learners may have limited opportunities to speak or learn English at home. Sometimes the circumstances might be that both parents speak the only native tongue, or the parent that speaks English works full time and cannot instruct the child.
Since almost everyone is telelearning, the best way is to provide specific resources that can be on hand and used immediately with any household, regardless of the situation.
1) Colorin Colorado
This is an amazing website specifically for students that are ESOL and has so much to offer families in need. This link has over nine pages of resources that can be used immediately for families. You can also find studies that are backed with data to show the relevance of using literacy to improve reading skills for ESOL students.
2) Accredited Online School
This particular website has resources galore for people of all age ranges to learn English. What I like about this website is that it has a little something for everyone of all ages, even adults. Parents that cannot speak English but are interested in learning can also utilize some of the web resources for themselves.
3) Starfall
This website is another favorite. I have used this with all three of my children to help them learn how to read. I recommend this website because children can read books for free, the books can be read to them and they can highlight a word and have it read. Also, this website has an option of a paid subscription for a household, if a parent would like to make this investment. There are also matching games, songs and other subjects that are taught on this website.
4) Teachers First
Here is another website that is filled with over 140 pages of resources. Some links are for both young children, adults and middle to high school kids.
5) Fun Brain and Funbrain Jr.
This website is chock full of games, a math zone, age- appropriate social videos for kids, and literacy activities. This is very appealing to both younger and older children. Here, they can locate some free fun books that they can read almost like a slide show.
6) International Children Digital Library
This website allows you to read a diverse range of books, not just in English, but in the native language as well. Click on the “read books” tab at the top of the webpage to get started.
7 Literactive
This website has many downloadable activities and books that are leveled based on difficulty. For this website, you must register to use the resources.
8) Hearing stories for free!
Using a podcast to listen to stories can get students to use their imagination. It is also an important skill for children to practice, especially ESOL students as they are still grasping differentiating sounds in the English language while keeping up with reading comprehension (Irujo, 2020). In my podcast, 4Kids2Read, I have created a free podcast where your child can listen to books for free! You can try my podcast here. If your child has the same book, have them read along with me on the podcast. That is another way you can integrate listening and speaking skills daily. I am uploading a new story for your child to hear daily. You can also sign up for our newsletter to get free reading tips, resources and to hear about our launching of our Youtube channel.
9) Primary Games
My children loved this website, and yours will too. I make sure my children complete their reading and math sections first before moving onto the fun games available on the site. Primary Games seems to have it all, including holiday-themed games, and a learning section for most subjects, such as reading, math, science, and social studies.
10) Reading is Fundamental (RIF)
This website is free, specifically data-driven, and provides free leveled books that you can download for your child. Why I love it so much is because you do not have to pay! Many leveled book websites require a fee.
11) Plum Landing
This website is an interactive website where ESOL children can use illustrations and interactive photos to discuss outside topics they can find, such as roots on a plant. You can find videogames and videos about different environments. There is also the option to download three apps that discuss outdoor family fun, creating your own creature, and more interactive activities, like a photo app to snap pictures and label items in the environment and labeling it. This is amazing for ESOL students since sometimes they might forget a word that corresponds to an object in their environment.
What remote resources are especially helpful for your English Learner? Let us know in the comments below!
Works Cited
Irujo, S. (2020). What Does Research Tell Us About Teaching Reading to English Language Learners? Retrieved on March 23, 2020 from https://www.readingrockets.org/article/what-does-research-tell-us-about-teaching-reading-english-language-learners
Melody Johnson is a curriculum developer, educator, and creator, writer, lover of coffee hot or cold, reading, writing, and baking. She is a proclaimed supermom, combustible content creator, and aspiring future pet lover of two Sphinx cats or hermit crabs, old or young! Born a New Yorker, but living and loving the Southern life in Georgia, she is married, with three amazing kids.
She is the creator of Positive Masterminds. Positive Thinking Podcast
Connect with her on Facebook at Positive Masterminds, Twitter, and Instagram @4Positivethinking.
Sign up for her newsletter for more tips on reading and connect on Instagram @4Kids2Read!
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