Tech Ideas for a BLM Learner

By Thomas Hammerlund -
Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

I got an email from a friend asking what kinds of activities I could suggest for an EAL / ELL / BLM student.

The request was for ideas and things the student could do independently.

Here are the ideas I shared back.

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1. Google docs voice typing. 
Write a few sentences that you want her to practice. Then below type 1, 2, 3. Have her voice type to practice her pronunciation. (Idea from 

EXAMPLE
I live in Taiwan. 

1. voice type

2. voice type

3. voice type


I live in Japan. 
1. voice type

2. voice type

3. voice type


2. QR code listening activity
When I taught Grade 1, I would select articles for students to practice their reading. I copied them onto paper and attached a QR code that led to me reading the article. 

For a middle school student, depending on her level, you might be able to find Newsela articles, give her the link to the article and your reading. 

Here is a few examples I made for my Grade 1 class a few years ago. 


3. Book Creator book about herself - she does the speaking
She could do a project in Book Creator introducing herself. BC allows you to record audio and it is really easy to share out your book after you are done. Here is an example, it's elementary but shows adding audio.

This could be done with whatever she is learning.

Or, if you want to spend a little time, you could create this kind of book for her.


4. Video diary
I was thinking it would also be good to track her progress by having her do a video diary.


5. Words Their Way Word Work
You could have her do some word sorts from words their way. You could have a recording of the pronunciation, then have her record herself saying the words.


6. App - https://iknow.jp/ (paid)
This is not free, but I used to use it. 


I think I would do a station rotation model of 3-4 of these activities. 


Another site I just thought of is elllo. It has a ton of English-learning activities on there. 
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