The document discusses using the Google Translate app in classrooms to help English language learners (ESL students) participate and understand classroom materials. It describes how students can instantly scan and translate printed texts using the app. The updated app allows students to translate materials in real-time, helping ESL students who have been in the US for less than two months to complete reading activities and answer questions. Their teachers noticed they seemed smarter and were able to participate more after using the translation app in class. The app gives ESL students a boost by allowing them to understand and perform at their grade level, even when just starting to learn English.

1. A NEW look at the
improved
Google Translate App
in the classroom
Stephanie Vogel

2. Imagine
that you
have to
read this!

3. Most of
us would
likely use
Google
Translate
...easy
peasy

4. BUT What if
you were in
a
classroom,
and you
were the
only one
who didn’t
know how
to read this!

5. Still feel that it’s easy?

6. To the EYES of an ESL
student.....
this....
looks like this....

7. Solution?

8. Other solutions?

9. As ESL students are busily
translating,
their classmates have
likely already moved
on to the next page or
problem, and so the
knowledge gap keeps
growing.

10. Time for a NEW SOLUTION
Chelsi, grade 8, in my classroom using iPhone with Google
translate app to ‘read’ a paragraph about topic sentences.

11. Students scanned in the reading (as simple as taking a photo)
in English and instantly read it in Spanish.

12. With the new update to the Google translator,
students can instantly read printed materials in
another language.

13. This update was only launched on Jan. 14, 2015. and my students
were already using it this week in school. The newcomers (in US for
less than 2 months) were able to complete reading activities and
participate in answering questions.
It was amazing to see how much confidence they gained and how
much more they felt a part of things. Several subject area teachers
remarked to me this week how smart these students were. They told
me how they never realized it before because the students couldn’t
communicate/participate. Now that they started using this app in their
classes, they can show what they know.
I know that ultimately students have to learn English to truly gain a
foothold here, but when a student first arrives and must perform in all
academic areas at their grade level, it is a wonderful way to give these
students a much needed boost.

14. Want to read/see more about it?
Google Translate Now Does Real-Time Voice And Sign Translations On Mobile
Hands-on: Google Translate Is Now a Way Better Travel Companion
Google rolling out major update to Google Translate iOS app with Word
Lens and near-realtime conversation translation
Google's New Language Translation App Is Astonishing