Settings
Adjusting the ‘Spoken Content’ and ‘Dictionary’ settings on the iPad can support EAL learners in both English and in their native language.
- Tap on Settings to open it
- On the left hand pane scroll to ‘Accessibility’ and tap, then on the right hand pane tap ‘Spoken Content’
- Toggle on ‘Speak Select’ and explore ‘Speak Screen’, ‘Highlight Content’ and ‘Typing Feedback’
- On the left hand pane scroll to the very top until the search bar appears
- Type in ‘Dictionary’ and tap to select, then on the right hand pane select the dictionary you want
Tools For Learning in the Classroom
Once you have the iPad sorted out to support your pupil generally you may wish to take a look at some tools which may be helpful to your EAL learner in their everyday learning in the classroom.
As we know reading, writing, listening and talking are all skills that develop alongside one another, similarly the apps one might use to support these skills may be used alongside one another using different features at different times. It would be basically impossible to show every single way these apps and features might be used in every context and for each skill. The information below will instead highlight just some of the key features or ways that an EAL learner could employ these apps to make life in the classroom a little easier. Click on any of the tools in the graphic below to see further information.
Tools For Learning in Class
Microsoft Lens
A handy app which definitely has its place in an EAL learner toolkit. Used in conjunction with OneNote pupils can extract text quickly from images, allowing it to be read aloud in Immersive Reader.
Edge Browser
The Microsoft Edge browser is an alternative to Safari (the default browser on iPad) with built in access to a simplified version of immersive reader in the address bar.
Immersive Reader
Immersive Reader is an available feature in many Microsoft softwares. Immersive Reader can read content to a pupil in English or in their home language and includes dictionary functions including a picture dictionary.
On iPad the easiest way to access the full version of Immersive Reader is in OneNote. You can also use Microsoft Lens to extract text from images and photographs.
OneNote
OneNote is the easiest way to allow pupil access to the full version of Immersive Reader on iPad. The nature of one note also means it can be quick and easy for pupils to organise the learning materials they need access to. You can also use Microsoft Lens to extract text from images or photographs.
Google Lens
Google Lens is great for translating text quickly around the classroom such as signs, handwritten notes, or instructions written on a board. Pupils can have these read aloud to them within seconds in English and/or a language of their choice using the 'Text' or 'Translate' features respectively.
Dictation Tools
Dictation tools allow pupils to speak into the iPad and have their speech automatically converted into text. There are dictation tools available across many different apps in iPad. Almost anywhere you see a microphone icon there will be dictation available. As standard there is a dictation tool to the left of the spacebar on the iPad keyboard meaning any time the keyboard pops up, dictation is available.
To use any dictation tool simply tap on the microphone (you may then have to grant the app access to your microphone) and speak.
Microsoft Translator
Microsoft Translator has many features which may be useful to pupils in communicating with their new peers and teachers. It has text, speech, multi device conversation and speech to text functionality which makes it useful in many classroom situations. See here for a list of available languages.
Communication Boards
A group of Apple Distinguished Educators led by Stuart Plaskitt have found communication boards useful in their multilingual classrooms with newly arrived EAL learners. Using Keynote they have made a tappable board which will speak common or helpful phrases in English. The board is dual coded with simple images so it is as easy to use as possible. You can download boards for use (or for editing to match your own regional accent) here.
Working With Families
There are also valuable tools for engaging with families who perhaps don’t have english as their first language and may be trying to access things like parent information evenings, Teams posts or parent’s nights.
Many teachers use PowerPoint on their desktop computer to create presentations for their class but also for assembly or parent information evenings or parent events. Something not many people know that you can get live subtitles on your PowerPoint presentations on the desktop version and it’s really simple. The graphics below explain more…
Many teachers use Microsoft Teams to communicate information to their class. It’s handy to know that on iPad you can quickly translate a teams post into another language. Anyone on Teams can do this, but you do have to set up your language first.
Canva is a graphic design software which can be accessed via a web browser or the app. It has thousands of templates for all kinds of things. Educators can get a free Canva premium account. If you have made resources on Canva, for example school newsletters, there is an translation option which allows you to create instant translated versions of these documents for speakers of other languages in your school community.
- When you have finished writing your document in English simply tap ‘Apps’ in the left hand bar and select ‘Translate’.
- Make sure you’ve selected the English page(s) under ‘Apply to page’ choose the language you want and hit ‘Translate’.
- A new page(s) will be added to your document. You can now export these as usual and publish them to your school community through your preferred channels.
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Session Recording
Here is a full recording of the session for those who wish to watch it again or who missed it.
