Technology for Teaching English: Games, Activities and Resources for Tech

If you’re looking for some tips, tricks and activity ideas for teaching English using technology, then you’re certainly in the right place. Check out these important guidelines for using tech to teach English. Keep on reading for all the details you need to know for using ESL technology in style!

Guidelines for Using Technology for Teaching English (and Other Languages)

There are certainly some best practices when it comes to using tech in any classroom. Here are some of the most important ones for using technology in ESL classrooms.

Understand the Technology

The key to using technology in the classroom is to understand how to use it yourself! This will be obvious to people reading this book but it’s still worth stating. If you’re not familiar with the ins and outs of a certain website or program, get familiar with it in your own time before bringing it into the classroom.

Offer Tech Support to Students

Don’t assume that all students are pros at all things Internet. You may have to help some students out with things like submitting homework online, uploading a video, etc. However, the best source of support is often using Google search in their own language.

That said, I do have office hours each week and offer to help students who are struggling with the tech during that time. Or, I can offer some assistance in a few minutes after the class ends.

What’s the Goal for Technology in the ESL Classroom?

Don’t use technology just for the sake of using technology. It should have a learning outcome attached to it. And of course, like with any other “old-school” ESL lesson, there should be a lesson plan!

Come Early to Turn on the Computer!

You never know when the computer is going to update! It can sometimes take 5-10 minutes which isn’t ideal if you’ve only come 1 minute early to class. Come early, if possible and fire everything up. You’ll have time for troubleshooting if necessary.

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Have a Backup Plan for ESL Technology

Going along with the guideline from above, have at least a minimal backup plan in case of a technology catastrophe. Mine usually involves giving access to my PowerPoint slides using Google Drive. In case the computer console won’t work, students can follow along easily enough on their phones.

If your students don’t have smartphones for whatever reason, have a lesson that can be pulled out at the last minute that doesn’t require any materials or technology. I usually have one of these such lessons for each level that I teach, in the back of my mind.

Test the Volume and Picture from the Back of the Class

It may be obvious but it’s also worth stating! For ESL listening activities, test the volume of audio things before class starts.

During class, if you ask students, “Can you hear it?,” they’ll usually say yes, even if they can’t! It’s best to test this out yourself by physically walking to the back of class. This is also an opportunity to see if the screen or monitor is visible from the back of the classroom.

Not all Students Have Smartphones

These days, it’s easy to assume that most students have smartphones. It’s generally a good assumption. But, there is always 1-2 students a semester who don’t, for whatever reason. I think about this when I’m designing my ESL lesson plans and ensure that these students are not left out.

Back Up Important Things

It has never happened to me (knock on wood) but I do have some fear about losing something very important online, like grades. While I do use Google Drive spreadsheets for grades, I quickly print off a copy of it after I enter grades for tests or homework. Then, it goes into a forgotten drawer in my desk, just in case I might happen to need it. Another option is to take a picture with your phone after making changes to anything important.

Don’t Hide Behind Technology for Teaching English

When it comes down to it, teaching is all about a relationship. Don’t hide behind the technology. Students will be better served by a kind, knowledgeable teacher who cares about them and their English progress than by all the flashy PowerPoints in the world. This also applies to teaching English online!

Technology for Teaching English: Games, Activities and Resources

Do you want to implement more technology in your language learning classroom but aren’t sure how to go about that? Not to worry! Help is here. Check out this helpful book on Amazon: ESL Technology Games, Activities, and Resources. It’s everything you need to level up!

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Teaching English Technology: Join the Conversation

Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to technology for teaching English? Leave a comment below and let us know about it. We’d love to hear from you!

Last update on 2022-05-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API