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Writer's pictureSam Morris

9 Tech Tools for ESL Teachers: Encourage Engagement


A teacher and student using tech tools.
Media by Wix

In the era of digital learning, tech tools have become an integral part of the educational landscape, especially for ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers.


They offer engaging ways to reinforce language learning and provide innovative avenues for student collaboration and feedback.


Let's explore 9 tech tools to keep your students learning and engaged. Are you ready to jump in?



Tech Tools for ESL Teachers

1. Wordwall: Custom Activities Made Simple

Wordwall allows teachers to create custom activities for their classroom, ranging from quizzes to word games.


Teachers can create resources with just a few clicks, offering a user-friendly platform for those who may not be tech-savvy.

With Wordwall, you can create templates, input your content and instantly print out activities or display them on a screen.


The platform allows for high customisation, ensuring the materials are precisely suited to your student's needs.

2. Kahoot: Boosting Classroom Engagement

Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that can be utilised to enhance student motivation and engagement.


It provides an interactive way for students to learn new concepts, reinforce knowledge, and assess understanding.

Kahoot offers many ready-to-use resources for any subject and grade, making it an invaluable tool for ESL teachers.


The platform provides instant feedback, allowing teachers to assess class progress and adapt their teaching strategies accordingly.


It encourages creativity and teamwork, transforming learners into leaders.

3. Nearpod: Real-Time Insights into Student Understanding

Nearpod is a platform that offers real-time insights into student understanding through interactive lessons, videos, and activities. It is a one-stop shop for teachers, providing interactive tools and resources.

Nearpod allows teachers to adapt instruction, catering to different learning styles and paces.


This adaptive approach can help bridge the gap between the physical classroom and remote learning, making it an excellent tool for hybrid educational settings.


It also offers various lessons and activities aligned with various educational standards.

4. Seesaw: Personalised Learning for Every Student

Seesaw is a platform designed to make engaging, personalised learning a reality for every student.


It provides a simplified, balanced approach to classroom technology and promotes agency and creativity from an early age.

Seesaw's digital portfolios make thinking visible and share growth with an authentic audience.


It also offers inclusive communication tools to keep everyone in the learning loop, including teachers, admin, and families.


Seesaw boasts integrations with popular LMS and SIS platforms, streamlining the tech experience for teachers.

5. Flipgrid: A Safe Space for Student Expression

Flipgrid is a free web and mobile app from Microsoft that offers a safe online group for students to express their ideas asynchronously in short video, text, and audio messages.


It provides a platform where students can share their thoughts and ideas confidently.

Flipgrid teachers can create a group, post a topic and invite students to respond.


Teachers can then comment on students' responses, promoting a dynamic and interactive learning environment.


The platform has also been lauded for helping even the quietest students find their voice.

6. Flippity: Fun with Flashcards

Flippity is a versatile tool that allows teachers to convert Google Sheets data into flashcards, quizzes, review games, and more.


It's a great tool for vocabulary practice and review sessions.


Flippity's flashcards system is a straightforward method to learn new vocabulary.


It provides an easy-to-use interface where students can flip the cards to reveal meanings or translations.

7. Quizlet: Master Any Subject

Quizlet provides engaging, customisable activities with contributions from teachers across the globe. It's ideal for studying languages, vocabulary, or other subjects.


Quizlet's AI-powered tools provide personalised learning experiences for students.


These tools assess the student's performance and adapt the difficulty level of questions accordingly, promoting a more efficient learning process.

8. Jamboard: Interactive Collaboration

Jamboard is a free online whiteboard tool from Google. It allows for real-time collaboration, making it a great tool for brainstorming sessions and group projects.


Jamboard boosts student collaboration and engagement. It allows students to access editing tools and collaborate with peers or educators in real-time.

9. Wakelet: Content Curation Made Easy

Wakelet allows you to curate and organise content from across the web. It's a great tool for creating digital assignments or collecting resources for a lesson.

These tech tools offer a range of functionalities and benefits, making them must-haves for any ESL teacher.


Integrating these tools into your teaching practice can enhance student engagement, improve learning outcomes, and make your teaching journey a more gratifying experience.



Let us know what tech tools you're using in the comments. Let's learn more together!


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