The EL Gazette looked at three ELTons Innovation Awards finalists whose projects are free education technology tools:

EAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK FOR SCHOOLS

‘This is a tool that will enable schools to easily and effectively identify the level that students are at. It also shows clear progression and the path every EAL learner needs to take at each assessment point,’ said Julia Shervington, communications manager for the Bell Foundation.

INTERACTIVE PHONEMIC CHART

Joanna Duchesne, who teaches pronunciation at Morley College in London, said the idea for this resource came from using other online phonemic charts which she found did not always meet the needs of her learners. She stressed how difficult pronunciation can be for some students, and teachers can also avoid it through lack of confidence or knowledge. The tool, funded by The Service Communications Cooperative Ltd and Morley College, is based on a visual approach, with explanations of how people make certain sounds. Learners can use it both in the classroom and the privacy of their own homes.

THE FAMILY SKILLS TOOLKIT

This resource supports both migrant parents and carers who are not native English speakers and their children who are attending primary school reception classes in England. It is produced by Learning Unlimited Ltd. The kit contains detailed guidance, session plans and resources for a 30 hour course. It is designed to help parents develop their own literacy and language skills and feel confident enough to support their children and liaise with their teachers. The project was funded by EEF, Bell Foundation and Unbound Philanthropy.