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LEP and ESL Students

Instruction for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and English as a Second Language students (ESL) can easily incorporate a variety of technology supports, such as audio or video materials on cassettes, disks—or even broadcast across the Internet—for modeling and practice. Curriculum software, simulations, and tutorials are also available in a range of developmental levels to provide primary or supplementary instruction in language acquisition. Many of these tools take advantage of the full complement of visual and aural presentation possible with modern multimedia computers. The National Center for ESL Literacy Education provides further information and resources.

Many teachers use the Internet to find learning resources and supplemental information; however, according to the Children's Partnership, approximately 87 percent of Internet content is written in English. That leaves an estimated 32 million people in America underserved. 9 Translation services provide one solution to the problem. Free online services such as Free Translation by Transparent Language and Altavista's BabelFish provide teachers and students with text and Web page translation. Multilingual search engines such as AltaVista and Euroseek can be used with online translation services to locate curriculum resources in other languages.

Babylon is a free computer dictionary that works with any other text-integrated program. It allows second language students to select any word and get on-screen definition and translation. There are also commercial translation services available for schools to produce commonly used forms in various languages. An online virtual collaboration project called I*EARN, or the International Education and Resource Network allows U.S. teachers to work with foreign teachers to enhance the learning opportunities for their ESL students.

Opening New Doors

Spanish at Fulton for Everyone (SAFFE) was developed in Fulton, Kentucky, when a new industry opened in the area, drawing Spanish-speaking migrant workers and their children. Although initially challenging for teachers and students, the Spanish teacher and district technology coordinator combined forces to develop a districtwide program that teaches English-speaking children to learn Spanish while the Spanish-speaking children learn English. Additionally, advanced high school Spanish students help the Spanish-speaking children communicate with their teachers and classmates and even teaches Spanish lessons to elementary students. Technology plays a vital role in the program, as it provides a means for delivering and reviewing lesson activities. The high school students are also encouraged to incorporate cultural information from the Internet into their work and use the software package JumpStart, a multimedia program organized around interactive games and puzzles that supports the Spanish curriculum.