A roundtable discussion by Karen Nemeth and Fran Simon at EETC, 2012, Salt Lake City, UT

2. Ipad/iPhone Slideshow PDF Handout
http://ow.ly/9CfPj
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 2

3. We searched the app store as a teacher would and
found 35 apps that could be used to support the
learning of dual language learners in early
childhood programs. While this is not the definitive
list of all available apps, it took a very extensive
search to get this sample due to limitations of the
app store search function.
We used a rubric to analyze the language support
features of this sample. This rubric was created as
an informal tool that teachers might use to guide
their choices of the available apps.
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 3

4.  Six questions that are easy for early
childhood educators to use to evaluate
apps for use in multi-language
classrooms.
 Instructive for developers.
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 4

5. ▪ Are additional languages free?
▪ Provided via in-app purchase?
▪ Available by downloading purchasing
different versions?
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 5

6.  One word at a time?
 Simple preschool-level vocabulary
but adds little to the child’s ability to
communicate or process knowledge
 Sentences?
 Stories/songs?
 Complex activities that require thought and
response?
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 6

7.  Was the app written in English, then
translated?
 Was the app developed in another language,
then translated to English?
 Does the developer offer any documentation
to support the accuracy of the translation?
 Is the whole app available in the two
languages?
 Are the instructions in English, and some of
the activity is provided in another language?
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 7

8.  Are there multiple levels?
 Is there a way to track what the
child has accomplished?
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 8

9.  Does the app take a flashcard approach?
 Does the app engage the child in activity such as
singing or solving puzzles or problems?
 Are there opportunities for children to choose,
plan, or create?
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 9

10. © Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 10

11. 1%1% 1%
1% 1%
3%
5%
# of Apps
English
Spanish
12% 42%
French
Chinese
German
Urdu
Italian
13% Japanese
Vietnamese
Arabic
Catalan
20%
Number of preschool Karen Nemeth, 2012learning iPad apps tested: 35
© Copyright, language 11

12. 11 languages
32 apps featured English + 1 or more languages
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 12

13. Expected to find flashcards most often, surprised they were not the majority. 27 apps with stories/activities to build sentences/interactions
Simple story
21
Multiple activities
6
Flashcards
7
Songs in English, but written instructions in other
languages 1
Pleasant surprise! Expected to find flashcards
most often. Pleased to find 27 apps with
stories/activities to build sentences/interactions
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 13

14. © Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 14

15. Stories that don’t change, but have potential
depending on user
21
Static activities with no level change
12
Story with activities, choices, and questions
1
Spelling activity, choose word length 1
• Only 2 apps had built in leveling.
• 21 apps used stories that could be adapted for
levels by user. © Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 15

16. © Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 16

17. Apps that included more than 2 languages
4
Apps that required additional cost to get additional
languages 22
Apps that used only one language for the activity
(monolingual) 5
• 5 apps with only foreign language, but no way
for English speaker to understand/use/evaluate.
• Most cost more for multiple languages.
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 17

18. © Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 18

19. Yes 26
No 9
Pleasant finding! The majority of apps
provide words/sentences a child can use to
converse/interact with others.
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 19

20. • Intuitive navigation.
• For ages 5 - 9
• Narrative in five languages: English, Spanish,
French, German and Catalan.
• A variety of interactive elements, fun
animation, additional games and surprises.
• Bring the story’s character to life with a surprise
photo of your son or daughter.
• Option to read without sound.
• Original music and sound effects.
• Test questions on the subject with a
congratulations icon for the champion!
• Additional games.
• Menu on every screen: Narrative on/off, Music
on/off, Home, Games
• Bookshop.
• Clues in the text to show where to discover
additional content.
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 20

21.  Difficult to search for ECE bilingual apps or
apps in different languages
 No documentation of translation quality
 Surprising preponderance of stories over
flashcards
 Found more apps use more language than
simple flash card approach.
 Bilingual story apps help teachers build
language skills
 Apps alone do not provide richness found in
monolingual story/action apps
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 21

22.  Provide more pre-purchase
information
 Develop high-quality apps for dual
language learners
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 22

23.  Princesses Learn  Bilingual Kids
Chinese, Spanish, French  Urdu Rhymes
 Kids Fireman  Alif Bay Pay
 Old MacDonald  Sarah and Granny
 Español Reading Skill  Ana Lomba Apps in
 Voice Cards Eng/Spanish, Eng/French,
 I Write Words Eng/Chinese:
 Let’s Hear Animals
 The Little Red Hen
 Kids Spanish
 I See Ewe  The Ugly Duckling
 NCIKU Peter Rabbit  Cinderella
 Bilingual Child  Thumbelina
 Arabic Stories  Jack and the Beanstalk
 Dott meets Watt  Three Little Pigs
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012 23

24. Our Site
Gryphon House Our Survey
Fall, 2012
Early Childhood
Technology Network
© Copyright, Karen Nemeth, 2012
ECEtech.net/survey
24

25. Karen Nemeth | Language Castle, LLC
Karen @Language Castle.com
Fran Simon | Engagement Strategies. LLC
Fran.Simon@ESbyFS.com