In today’s globalized world, learning English as a second language (ESL) has become increasingly important for students of all ages. Educational technology tools like ESL software are valuable tools in making language learning programs more interesting and effective in schools. Through these interactive learning tools, learning languages can become more engaging for students while providing better progress tracking and personalized lesson plans to make teachers’ job easier. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of ESL software in formal language education, the key features that make it effective, and share what we think is the best ESL software for schools in 2024!
Understanding the importance of ESL software in formal language education
The integration of educational technology in language learning has proven to be highly effective. Through visual aids, authentic materials such as videos and audio clips, and interactive exercises, ESL software creates an immersive environment where students can practice listening, speaking, pronunciation, reading, and writing skills. By using such technology, schools can provide students better tools to practice confidently and fluently in English.
Benefits of ESL software for schools
ESL software offers a wide range of benefits for both students and schools. First and foremost, it provides students with access to a wealth of practice material, enabling them to reinforce their learning also outside of the classroom. Additionally, a good language teaching and learning software offers the possibility for individualized language instruction, making it easy for the teacher to adapt their teaching style and study materials for each student’s unique learning pace and style. This level of personalization also allows the teacher to provide targeted feedback for their leaners.
Furthermore, ESL software allows for more flexible learning schedules. As most software tools are web-based students can easily access the digital study materials also from home.
Another advantage of ESL software is its ability to provide immediate feedback for students. For example, our popular web-based language teaching platform – Sanako Connect – has an automated pronunciation grading feature that allows students to have unlimited practice time perfecting their English pronunciation skills. This software tool can turn any text material into authentic spoken English language and have students try to imitate what they hear. After each attempt the system automatically scores the student’s pronunciation highlighting any key mistakes they made. This real-time feedback keeps students engages and enables them to make targeted efforts to enhance their English pronunciation skills.
Sanako Connect also enables teachers to add targeted feedback on all students’ audio recordings. By adding a time-coded text or audio feedback on the exact point on the student’s recording, the feedback becomes really personalised and effective.
In conclusion, ESL software plays a crucial role in language learning by providing students with a range of benefits, including unlimited access to practice material, individualized instruction, flexible learning schedules, independence in learning, immediate feedback, and a better learning experience. By leveraging technology in language education, schools can empower students to become confident and proficient English speakers, equipping them with skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Key features of an effective ESL software
Not all ESL software is created equal. It is essential to choose a software tool with the right features that align with your school’s language teaching objectives and students’ needs. Here are some key features to consider:
Keeps students engaged
Engaging students is fundamental to effective language acquisition. The best ESL software in 2024 integrates interactive elements and multimedia content to capture students’ attention and sustain their interest throughout the learning process. By incorporating elements of fun and interactivity, students are more likely to remain motivated and committed to their English language studies.
Prioritises speaking skills development
Fluent verbal communication is often the primary goal of most ESL learners. Therefore, effective ESL software places a strong emphasis on speaking skills development. Advanced speech recognition technology enables students to practice pronunciation, and live group discussion activities engage students in conversation practice using their target language. Additionally, the software tool should offer ample opportunities for speaking practice within a supportive and non-intimidating environment.
Sanako Connect prioritises the development of such skills and maximises the time each student spends speaking and actively practicing their new language skills. Using Sanako Connect, language educators can easily divide students into pairs or small groups for live discussion and role-play activities. In these live pairs/groups, the students can talk simultaneously without distracting other pairs/groups. This can be done both in face-to-face teaching or remotely. Teachers can then monitor the different groups and jump in to assist as required. All of these separate conversations can also be recorded and then later reviewed by teachers.
Makes it easy to tailor learning content
Every student comes to the ESL classroom with unique learning needs and preferences. The ideal ESL software provides tools for teachers to use whichever content they like and to customize learning content according to their classes’ needs and interests.
Allows flexibility for teachers and students
Flexibility is key as teachers might want to use a diverse range of language teaching methodologies and want to adapt their style and use of materials for different student groups. ESL software should offer a range of instructional formats, including self-paced lessons, live lessons, group activities, and collaborative projects, to accommodate different learning preferences and classroom contexts.
Sanako Connect – the best ESL software for your school in 2024
Our recommendation for schools is the versatile Sanako Connect platform. Sanako, a pioneering company in the field of EdTech tools for professional language educators, has developed a new cloud-based language teaching hub Sanako Connect that caters to all language teaching formats, from live lesson delivery to asynchronous classes and can be used to teach any language including English using different teaching methods like CLIL, TBLT, CLT, Audiolingualism and more.
This new technology tool combines the best features of a dedicated language learning platforms with virtual classroom software features. As a cloud-based solution it works on any device and operating system – so all your teachers and students need is an internet connection and a normal internet browser. Sanako Connect enables teachers to guide students’ language learning in a teacher-controlled environment, allowing teachers to monitor student progress and provide real-time feedback. And as mentioned earlier, Sanako Connect also includes specialist language teaching features such as automated pronunciation grading with authentic speech models for most modern languages.
The in-built content authoring tools in Sanako Connect allows teachers to easily create any kind of exercise they need for their lessons. They can freely mix and match stimulus materials (audio, video, text, presentations, 3rd party websites and content) with different task-types to give students ample opportunity to practice all core language skills.
School IT staff and management will also find Sanako invaluable because Sanako Connect’s concurrent user model provides scalability and cost-effectiveness that make it a valuable addition to any school’s selection of EdTech tools.
If you’d like to find out more about how Sanako Connect could help transform your language teaching, please contact us now to arrange your FREE demo!
