audiobooks for ELLLast month, we highlighted how OverDrive is for every type of learner. Many of the resources we covered offer enormous benefits for English Language Learners (ELL). Three digital resources for English Language Learners will help the 4 million students in ELL programs across the United States.

Here’s a quick review of of three digital resources for English Language Learners. Learning to speak, understand and read English improves learning outcomes. When students learn a new language with a holistic approach, they are more likely to engage with reading in a fun and meaningful way.

Read-Alongs for English Language Learners

Our browser-based eReader, OverDrive Read®, supports narrated eBooks. This ability to read along with verbal storytelling is perfect to engage developing readers and help English Language Learners master the language.

OverDrive Read-Alongs offer benefits that make reading fun and flexible, no matter the age or ability of the reader.

  • Text highlighted as the narrator reads (highlighting varies by publisher)
  • Availability on any device with an internet connection and a modern web browser
  • Automatic page turning
  • Rewind and pause options
  • Volume and speed control

Audiobooks for English Language Learners

If students need extra help with syntax, or an less-intense entry to English, audiobooks offer the perfect solution. Pronunciation and sentence structure, conversational flow and narrative are highlighted in audio version of a book in a way that reading the written word cannot match. Check out our librarian curated list of J/YA Audiobooks for ideas on what you can use in your classroom for your ELL students.

Pimsleur for English Language Learners

Earlier this year, OverDrive announced a partnership with Simon & Schuster’s Pimsleur Language Programs. The Pimsleur Language Program offers 50 languages for English speakers and has proven expertise in ELL with programs in 14 languages. The Pimsleur Method allows users to effectively learn a language the way native speakers do by integrating vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation into everyday conversations.

Have you found other ways to engage ELL students and help them be successful? Let us know in the comments.