20 Digital Tools to Spark
Language Learning Enthusiasm in Kids
Using Digital Tools for Language Learning
Looking for teacher-approved digital tools to spark language learning enthusiasm in kids? You’ve come to the right place! At Going Up Education, we are hugely passionate about providing ESL teachers with easy-to-use digital tools for the classroom to engage students and easy-planning tools to make your life a little easier.
So, say goodbye to stacks of paper and textbooks, and say hello to a world of innovative digital tools that will change your language learning environments.
Collaborative Digital Whiteboards
First up on our list are collaborative whiteboards. For the ESL classroom, these are worth their weight in gold. Use them to play games like Hangman, introduce grammar topics, or for group projects and brainstorms. Here are some of our favorites:
1) Virtual Web Whiteboard
Suitable for: Whole Classroom Learning
Powered by collaborative whiteboard pros Miro, Virtual Web Whiteboard is great for instant interaction – perfect for 5-minute ESL classroom games like categories for Pictionary. It’s super easy to share with students via the private link.
2) Jamboard
Suitable for: Whole Classroom Learning
Google’s Jamboard should be in every ESL teacher’s digital toolkit. It’s free and easy to use. You can quickly upload images, use them during an online class, or connect it to your Google Classroom account and collaborate in real time with your students.
3) Explain Everything
Suitable for: Whole Classroom Learning
There are hundreds of ways to use Explain Everything. You can use it to create blended learning video lessons and keep digitized materials in one place.
Save Time With Puzzle & Quiz Generators
These digital tools help you save time by generating puzzles and quizzes with their pre-set templates.
4) Class Tools
Suitable for: Teachers, class presentations, and individual learning.
If you are looking for a website packed with interesting game, puzzle, and activity templates for kids, look no further than Class Tools. Their templates allow anyone to adapt the games and treasure hunts to suit their own needs!
5) Google Forms
Suitable for: Teachers, evaluations, and feedback.
Who hasn’t heard of Google? Well, did you know that with Google Forms, you can create detailed and professional-looking forms, quizzes, and tests at the click of a button? Check it out for yourself!
6) Kahoot!
Suitable for: Whole class learning, evaluations, and 5-minute bell ringers
Kahoot is an incredible learning platform, offering interactive quizzes, surveys, and educational games. It’s the perfect tool for ESL students!
7) Quiz Wizz AI
Suitable for: Teachers and assessments.
You’ve probably heard about artificial intelligence layout, also known as AI; well QuizQiz is an AI-powered quiz perfect for language learning! Create fun assessments with ease, and make learning more enjoyable.
Easy Planning English Grammar Worksheets & Digital Flashcard Tools
Planning can sometimes take up more of your time than actual instruction. Plus, after a while, and depending on the time of year, inspiration can be low. Here are some easy-planning digital tools that could give you your mojo back.
8) Wordtips Grammar
Suitable for: Teachers, Grades K-6, and adults.
Word Tips is the holy grail site for grammar. If you are a language learner or a teacher, then their grammar rules and examples page will be key to your success!
9) Elllo
Suitable for: Teachers, grades K-6, and teens.
Elllo is an English language listening library dedicated to teaching through examples. They have a vast collection of audio and video resources for English learners of all skill levels.
10) Easy Teacher Worksheets
Suitable for: Grades K-12
Need a website with educational worksheets, games, and activities for teachers and parents to use in lessons? Easy Teacher Worksheets is the next stop for you on your language journey!
Creating Presentations
Presentations are a fantastic way to evaluate language skills, improve pronunciation, and give language learners autonomy.
11) Google Slides
Suitable for: Teachers and teens.
Is there a better presentation creator than Google Slides? It’s free, accessible, and perfect for children and adults to get stuck in!
12) Haiku Deck
Suitable for: Teachers and students.
Haiku deck allows you to easily create stunning presentations using awesome templates and simple tools for compelling visual storytelling.
Digital Tools & Apps for Kids
13) Open Library
Suitable for: All ages, to set as homework.
Open Library is an extensive digital library offering free access to a whole world of books. It has to be one of the best places an ESL learner has to engage in literature!
14) Padlet
Suitable for: Teachers, whole class learning, and Grades K-12.
If you don’t know about Padlet, remember the name! Padlet allows users to create interactive digital boards for sharing ideas, content, and language learning activities.
15) Otter AI
Suitable for: Teachers and Grades 4-12.
Here’s another AI tool that is an incredible tool for ESL students. Otter AI is a transcription service for accurate speech-to-text conversion, perfect for listening, comprehension, and pronunciation skills.
Interactive Games & Digital Tools to Spark Language Learning Enthusiasm in Kids
ESL instruction doesn’t have to be tiresome, nor does grammar instruction. You can take more of a CLIL-based approach by combining interactive resources, ESL, and STEM subjects with the following digital tools:
16) Neal.Fun
Suitable for: All ages.
Neal.fun focuses on interactive and creative activities that engage young language learners, making learning more enjoyable and memorable.
17) Word Games
Suitable for: Grades 3+
Word games such as crosswords can be really simple and fun puzzles to give ESL students and young language learners. When the puzzles get too tough, we recommend a good crossword solver!
18) Flip Grid
Suitable for: Whole class engagement.
Flip is about fun, and their interactive language learning platform with engaging content and games makes it perfect for children to develop language skills!
19) TED-Ed
Suitable for: Grades 4+
Ted, and specifically their talks, have cemented themselves as an institution for thought, discussion, and education. Ted-Ed is their educational sub-category, and it is definitely worth checking out!
20) Heads Up!
Suitable for: Whole class engagement.
Heads up! is a classic game about guessing, language, and competition. It’s the perfect game for critical thought, sentence structures, and ESL language learning! Available for free on Play Store and Apple.
To Summarize:
And there we have it! 23 tried and tested teacher-approved digital to spark language learning enthusiasm in your classrooms! These digital tools should help you engage your students and save some time on planning, too, so you can focus on what you do best.
What are your favorite digital tools for ESL teaching? Let us know in the comments.
