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Six years ago I began this regular feature where I share a few posts and resources from around the Web related to ESL/EFL or to language in general that have caught my attention.

You might also be interested in THE BEST RESOURCES, ARTICLES & BLOG POSTS FOR TEACHERS OF ELLS IN 2020.

Also, check out A Collection Of My Best Resources On Teaching English Language Learners.

In addition, look for our new book on teaching ELLs, which was published in the Spring of 2018 and learn about our next book.

Here are this week’s choices:

Describing windows around the world is from On The Same Page. I’m adding it to THE BEST TOOLS FOR TAKING STUDENTS “AROUND THE WORLD.

3 Tech Tools for Teaching Vocabulary is from TESOL.

The excellent language-learning tool Charlala has just made a bunch of upgrades.

English Speaking Practice is a new app.  I’m adding it to THE BEST SITES FOR ONLINE PRONUNCIATION FEEDBACK – DO YOU KNOW OTHERS?

5 Ways to Support the Families of Multilingual Learners When School Opens is by Judie Haynes.

Will I Be Getting More Refugee Students? is from Immigrant Connections.

Yous lets you do a web-based video call with someone who speaks a different language.  Then, when you speak, the audio automatically is transformed into a chat in that person’s language.  If you keep your calls to five minutes, it’s free to use (you have to pay for longer periods).  The Microsoft Translator does something similar, but it doesn’t have the video/audio component and only translates the chat.  If “Yous” sticks around, or if other tools like it do, it could rival Google’s “Interpreter Mode” as a way teachers can communicate with families (see GOOGLE’S NEW “INTERPRETER MODE” MAKES IT EASIER FOR TEACHERS & PARENTS TO TALK IF THEY DON’T SPEAK EACH OTHER’S LANGUAGES).

 

Most ELL teachers probably already know this, but Google Jamboard is ideal for online use of the Picture Word Inductive Model. It’s super-easy to upload a background image, and then have students use “sticky notes” to label objects in it. Google Drawings can work, too, but I think Jamboard works better. I’m adding this info to The Best Online Tools For Using Photos In Lessons.

Duolingo is adding a family plan and five more languages is from Engadget.

How California teachers are welcoming back English learners — with language and community is from Ed Source.