In the newspaper eSchool News I read the following article:
Virtual worlds are a new trend in language instruction
This article got me thinking of other ways to incorporate technology in the classroom. Though my students do not have phones and iPads, I could easily make a center out of one if I gave them a technology device. eSchool news goes on to summarize some great Language Apps for Students:
Wonder Kids, offers language instruction for young students in 5 different languages. What I like about this app is that it is essentially a game application for toddlers, but you can play it in different languages. Because it is designed for such young children, older children wont be overwhelmed by a game that is in a completely different language.
Learn Chinese: Toy Story 3, is the first in a series of story books that combines Disney’s appeal to young people with proven language learning methods that allow children to learn English and Mandarin vocabulary and grammar. partially in the native language of the learner and partially in the language being taught. The app has students reading a story in both languages. As the child's understanding progresses, an increasing proportion of the story is told in the foreign language until the reader is experiencing the story entirely in that foreign language. I can't wait for the Spanish version of this!
Live Mocha and Busuu blogger Benny Lewis summarizes his experience with both interfaces on his blog Fluent in 3 Months. Both remind me a lot of Rosetta Stone, but are definitely geared towards students who can read already. These are not as applicable for early elementary Spanish learners.
iStart Spanish! is the most popular language learning app on iTunes. Similarly to other language learning applications, it is definitely geared towards adult learners. What is great about this tool is that you get seemingly get to text message native speakers. It simulates real conversations.
Eric Carle’s My Very First App I love Eric Carle stories because they translate well into other languages. This app lets you interact with his stories in 6 different languages! There are three levels of game play, appropriate for different age groups, in which children can match images and concepts, as well as tap images to hear related sounds.
Toddler Flashcards This app teaches students words for common things in Spanish, French or Chinese, in addition to English, these Toddler Flashcards are delightfully simple and easy to use.
