WABE is committed to the equitable and effective education of multilingual learners in Washington state. In this time of coronavirus crisis, we extend our resources to all educators everywhere. Please make use of this page and send any corrections or additions to president@wabewa.org.
We have asked permission to post these resources if they are not commercially available. If we have posted in error, please let us know and that link will be removed.
Online Safety Using Video Platforms
Internet safety is always a concern for K-12 educators. In addition to predatory behavior toward youth, many families of multilingual students have insecure immigration status. Video platforms are generally not secure and may be accessed by government agencies such as ICE. The Colorín Colorado ELL Educators Group on Facebook features threads on internet safety. Please join that conversation and read the following information carefully if you are, or are considering, using live video platforms with students.
Colorin Colorado’s ELL Educator Group
Distance Learning for English Language Learners: Privacy Considerations | Colorín Colorado
Online learning is increasing risk for many who have barely come to know safety — Stacy Brown, Visual Storyteller, Colorin Colorado ELL Educator Group
Online Learning v. Emergency Remote Teaching – There’s a Difference — EducauseReview
ZOOM Bombing — change your settings to prevent outsiders from jumping into Zoom sessions to disrupt them by sharing porn, racial epithets or other vulgar material. Dr. Renny Christopher, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, WSU Vancouver
Multilingual Learner Online Approaches
Online Dos and Don’ts – Kimmie Fink, We Are Teachers
Colorin Colorado ELL Educator Group – ongoing conversations among practitioners
School Responses to COVID-19: ELL/Immigrant Considerations – Lydia Breiseth, Colorín Colorado
FAQ on Meeting the Needs of English Learners in an Online Environment – REL Northeast and Islands
Parent Contact
Making the Connection: Communicating with ELLs and Their Families During School Closures – Lydia Breiseth, Colorín Colorado (2020)
Class Tag – parent communication through multiple platforms, multiple languages
Talking Points – parent communication through multiple platforms, multiple languages
Platforms and Tools
Many have entry level free access, others require district licensing. We recommend only using district-supported tools for your and your students’ protection.
Additional language learning apps can be found here.
| Title | Uses | Grades (est) | Cost |
| BrainPOP ELL | Language activities, all four domains | K-12 | Individual or district license |
| Duolingo | Language learning online | K-12 | Per district license |
| Ellevation Distance Learning | Language Learning, English and Spanish | K-12 | Free |
| Flipgrid | Assign “spoken” homework. Students record themselves on phone or computer. Teachers can grade the content. It can be used like having an asynchronous conversation! Also, the speech the students produce creates closed captions! This is invaluable, especially for lower level ELLs. | K-12 | Entry level free |
| Google Classroom | Manage classes, assignments | K-12 | Per district license (personal account not recommended) |
| Google Forms | Make responsive forms, worksheets, assessments | K-12 | Per district license (personal account not recommended) |
| Google Hangouts | Video communication. See cautions. | K-12 | Per district license (personal account not recommended) |
| Imagine Learning | ELA and Math practice. Spanish available. | K-8 (K-12 assessment) | Per district license |
| IXL | Math & Language Arts practice | K-12 | Entry level free |
| Kahoot | Interactive response to surveys, questions, assessments | 3-12 | Entry level free |
| Larry Ferlazzo, EL Educator | Blog. Wide variety of engaging online teaching strategies & resources | K-12 | Free so far! |
| Lexia | Literacy | K-12 | Per district license |
| Newsela | Readable science/social studies resources | Mostly 6-12 | Entry level free |
| NoRedInk | Writing | K-12 | Entry level free |
| Padlet | Collaboration with online class | 3-12 | Entry level free |
| Quizizz | Kind of like Kahoot, but once a teacher makes a multiple choice test, students can 1) Study in Flashcard mode 2) Have the quiz as homework 3) Compete in class. | 3-12 | Entry level free |
| Raz-Kids | Reading interactive leveled books | K-5 | Free trial |
| ReadTheory | Students read, take a reading quiz, get feedback with a LEXILE level. This is a great program for students to see where they are in their reading. Texts include fiction, informational text, poetry etc. | K-12 | Entry level free |
| Rosetta Stone | Language learning online | K-12 | Per district license |
| SeeSaw | School-student-family online learning | K-12 | Entry level free |
| Voice Thread | Record presentations/classes for individual response | 3-12 | Entry level free |
Continuing Education
2020-21 Tribal, Heritage, and Dual Language Virtual Professional Learning Communities
Earth Expeditions Field Courses