Article: Tapping Technology to Help English-Language Learners

From http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning-the-language/2013/01/tapping_technology_to_help_eng.html


Tapping Technology to Help English-Language Learners
by Ellen Wexler
January 14, 2013

A new paper examines a variety of strategies for using technology to improve the language ability and content knowledge of English learners, a fast-growing student population with diverse needs.

Titled "Technology-Driven Innovations for Teaching English Learners," the paper explores technological systems and software, and overall academic approaches used by schools and districts, that the authors argue are showing promise in helping English-language learners.

The paper was written by Sean Kennedy and Dan Soifer of the Lexington Institute, a conservative think tank in Arlington, Va., that conducts research on a variety of policy issues, including education. The focus of the paper is one that will surely resonate in many of the nation's districts: Over the past 15 years, the number of English-language learners enrolled in public schools increased from 3.5 million to at least 5.3 million, or by 51 percent, according to Education Week's research center.

Read the full article and download the paper at http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning-the-language/2013/01/tapping_technology_to_help_eng.html