|
|
TESOL CALL Interest Section
Software List
Deborah Healey, Editor
Reading
Academy of Reading
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Autoskill International
Purchase options: network - see publisher for details
Level: Literacy, beginning For: preK-12
Special use: Elementary, literacy, bilingual
Description: A phonics-based literacy product, this program uses graphics, sound, and animation to steer teacher and student through pre-testing, prescribed exercises, then post testing. Strong management component. Has screens for reading difficulties in oral, aural, motor, speed, response, and other areas. Special needs accommodated. No reading ability needed to begin but requires ESL teaching to accompany product. Version 5 and up designed for central deployment, with a web-based user interface. Windows XP/Vista; Mac OS X.
Ace Detective
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Mindplay
See also online/mail order
Approximate single-unit price: 50
Purchase options: network, lab pack, site license
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-3
Special use: bilingual
Description: Students practice critical reading skills, including organizing information gained from texts and drawing conclusions. Also available in French and Spanish. Now part of One-Pick Pack (English only) or Language Pack (Spanish or French), which includes Ace Detective, Ace Explorer, Ace Inquirer, Ace Reporter, Easy Street, Race the Clock Language Arts, Word Hound, and some math titles. Pay a separate fee to install each the One-Pick Pack titles.
Ace Inquirer
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Mindplay
Approximate single-unit price: 50
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-3
Description: Learners take on the role of a talk show host and read statements from guests, explore telephone leads, and research information in the library to determine if the guest's statement is a fact or an opinion. Stories can be created and added.
Ace Reader
Machine: Win
Publisher: StepWare
Approximate single-unit price: 120
Purchase options: network, site
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-3
Description: Speed reading software. Trial version has a 30-day limit. A variety of settings makes this a sophisticated program. Includes reading/comprehension tests broken out by grade levels. Regular and Pro versions are available for registered users. Windows 95/98/NT/Vista and Mac OS X. Shareware.
Ace Reporter
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Mindplay
See also Learning Services, World of Reading
Approximate single-unit price: 50
Purchase options: network, lab pack, site license
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-2
Special use: Bilingual, elementary
Description: Students read 'teletype' messages and conduct 'phone interviews' to find answers to Who, What, When, Where and Why questions. Once their stories are complete they select the best headline for the story. Now part of One-Pick Pack (English only) or Language Pack (Spanish or French), which includes Ace Detective, Ace Explorer, Ace Inquirer, Ace Reporter, Easy Street, Race the Clock Language Arts, Word Hound, and some math titles. Pay a separate fee to install each the One-Pick Pack titles.
Achieve: Writing and Language Arts
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Learning Company, The
Approximate single-unit price: 25
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: 2-6
Special use: Elementary
Description: Designed to meet a third through sixth grade language arts curriculum- grammar and spelling, parts of speech and sentence structure, lsynonyms and antonyms, build vocabulary. This incorporates Word Munchers, Schoolhouse Rock/Grammar Rock, Writing Trek. Designed for native speakers, but useful for ELLs.
Amazon Trail
Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: Learning Company, The
See also mail order
Approximate single-unit price: 6
Purchase options: lab pack, site license
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-4
Description: Amazon Trail is a simulation of a trip up the Amazon River (and through time). The goal is to search for a medicinal plant that can save the ancient Incas from malaria. As students travel up the Amazon River they explore the rain forest, visit historical people and landmarks, trade with the people of the region, navigate and fish for food. The program comes with teacher's manuals and student worksheets that facilitate cooperative learning-based lessons and communicative language development. Windows 95/Me/2000/98/NT; Macintosh. Hybrid CD-ROM.
Arthur's Teacher Trouble
Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: Learning Company, The
Approximate single-unit price: 15
Purchase options: lab, network, site, teacher's ed.
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: K-6
Special use: Bilingual, elementary
Description: An interactive, animated story about an elementary schooler (Arthur the Aardvark) surprising even himself with what he accomplishes. The program has excellent graphics, sound effects, dialogues, and lots of surprises to maintain student interest. Text can be heard in English and Spanish. Requires CD-ROM drive. Best used in K-6 and family literacy settings. Sold online/mail order only. Check product requirements carefully to be sure the version you are buying matches your equipment.
Bailey's Book House
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Riverdeep
Approximate single-unit price: 15
Purchase options: teacher pack
Level: For: K-6
Special use: elementary
Description: Elementary; explore words, rhyming, letters, and stories on CD-ROM. Macintosh, Windows 2000 / 98 / Vista / XP
Business Territory 1 and 2
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Lingonet Oy
Approximate single-unit price: 100
Purchase options: 5-user, network
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: Adult, HE
Special use: business
Description: Students visit a variety of working environments in the UK and the USA in these CD-ROM-based programs. Authentic, non-scripted video interviews are accompanied by transcripts, paraphrases, a glossary, and audio comments giving both linguistic and business information. Teachers have a wide range of printable worksheets requiring students to collaborate in researching particular aspects of the companies and presenting their findings. 5-user licenses available. See the website for demos and downloads. Browser-based, so Mac or Windows will work.
CALLEAP
Machine: Win
Publisher: Wida Software
Approximate single-unit price: 120
Purchase options: £80
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: HE
Description: Uses Wida's Gapmaster program to offer a range of practice materials for English for Academic Purposes students. 21 exercises work on finding the missing words, word building, finding and correcting mistakes in a text, answering questions about a written text, and analyzing data in a table. A student workbook, teacher's manual, and learner's manual are included. CD-ROM.
CGEA CD-ROM, The
Machine: Win
Publisher: Protea Textware
Approximate single-unit price: 95
Purchase options: home version (cheaper); lab, site
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-8
Description: Teaches and tests a wide range of skills covering all Learning Outcomes at Levels 2, 3 and 4 of the Reading and Writing, Oral Communication and Numeracy and Mathematics Streams of the Australian CGEA test. Australian English. Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista.
Click into English
Machine: Win
Publisher: Clarity Language Consultants
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-8
Description: Designed by the Adult Multicultural Education Service in Australia for intermediate and advanced students who have to tackle different text types in their work or study. The basic format is presentation of a model text, with certain features highlighted, followed by practice activities and an assessment. Text types include information texts, academic essays, exam questions, oral interviews, report writing, and oral presentations. Students can also access information about the grammar and vocabulary in the text. Win 98/NT/2000/ME/XP; not verified for Vista.
Core Reading and Vocabulary Development
Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: Educational Activities Software
Approximate single-unit price: 675
Purchase options: lab, network
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: 3-6, Adult
Special use: Elementary
Description: This program is a comprehensive approach to reading and language development. In the first phase, students see, hear, say, and record each word. The second phase is a reading of the lesson text, 2-3 sentences per screen. The same text is then presented in a timed reading exercise, one phrase at a time. Next the student completes reading comprehension exercises. Students can refer back to the text to find the answer, and on an incorrect response the computer highlights the sentence where the answer should have been found. For vocabulary practice, students complete words from sentences in the text and choose the correct spelling. Directions are spoken in English and Spanish. This is sold separately or as part of the ESL/Basic Literacy bundle. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Vista: Mac OS 8 or OS 9.
CrossCountry Canada Platinum
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Ingenuity Works
Approximate single-unit price: 30
Purchase options: site, network
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All
Description: Using a realistic, yet fun visual format this geography simulation lets students take on the role of a long distance truck driver. Students make decisions about finding and delivering in a timely fashion up to 52 different commodities to 180 cities. Students need to read maps, calculate distances, estimate expenses, and plan cost-effective routes from coast to coast. The program and accompanying teacherÕs manual offer many possibilities for ESL/EFL communicative language practice through cooperative learning tasks. Also available: Cross Country USA. Windows 95/98/ME/NT 4/2000/XP/Vista; Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, 10.1.x or up to IntelMac.
Cycles
Machine: Win
Publisher: Harcourt Achieve
Purchase options: contact publisher
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: 9-12, Adult
Description: The full series includes software, teacher’s manual, books for independent reading, onsite training and installation, CD- and Web-delivered professional development and technical support. Reading is taught through exercises working on vocabulary, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency and comprehension.
Dave Taylor's African Safari
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Ingenuity Works
Approximate single-unit price: 70
Purchase options: $70 site license
Level: Intermediate For: K-6
Description: Content-based reading and grammar practice designed for children. Over 20 digital books for grades 1-6 with over 300 pictures of the animals and plants on the various ecosystems on Earth that students can copy for use in projects. Books for grades 1-3 have a 'read aloud' feature. CD-ROM. Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4, 2000,XP or Vista; Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, 10.1.x or up to IntelMac.
Decisions, Decisions Series
Machine: Mac, Win
Publisher: Tom Snyder Productions
Approximate single-unit price: 150
Purchase options: lab, site, network
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-6
Description: Students work in groups to use the software and text materials to make decisions. Students check the printed materials for additional background information. As a group they prioritize their goals, receive multiple perspectives on the issues from their 'advisors' in the computer, discuss their options and input their course of action to the computer. The computer presents the consequences and the 'advisors' reappear to offer the students help in dealing with them prior to another round of decisions, actions and consequences. These programs work well in a one-computer classroom. The following are ones most likely to be of interest to ESL/EFL students.
Immigration: Students are community decision makers. The computer presents a number of dilemmas related to immigration policy in the U.S.
Prejudice: Students take the role of a mayor up for re-election in a town with a racism problem. Their 'advisors' in the computer are an historian, a campaign manager, a lawyer and an activist.
The Environment: Students are community decision makers. The computer presents a number a dilemmas related to environmental damage in a small town.
Urbanization: Students are community decision makers. The computer presents a number of dilemma related to the costs and benefits of urbanization for a small town.
Violence in the Media: Students take the role of an advertising executive for a company sponsoring a controversial television program about life in a gang-infested urban neighborhood.
Windows 98/98 and Mac OS 9; not verified on Vista or Mac OS X.
Destination Reading
Machine: Win
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Purchase options: contact publisher
Level: Literacy, beginning, intermediate For: K-8
Special use: literacy, bilingual
Description: Comprehensive reading program with extensive record-keeping. Bilingual support in Spanish is part of Destination Lectura.
Developing Critical Thinking Skills for Effective Reading
Machine: Win
Publisher: Merit Audio Visual
Approximate single-unit price: 80
Purchase options: lab, network, site; both sets for $180
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: 7-12,Adult,HE
Description: Helps students sharpen their critical thinking skills and develop their ability to make inferences. Short factual readings on four levels, two levels per set. Students read selections and answer multiple choice questions based on key words and inferences. Designed for native speakers but usable by ESL students. Windows 95/98/2000/XP; not verified for Vista. A demo is available from the website, http://www.meritsoftware.com/.
Diascriptive Reading I, II, III, IV
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Educational Activities Software
Approximate single-unit price: 1300
Purchase options: $400/unit; lab pack, networking
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: 4-12, Adult
Description: An interactive reading tutorial designed for native speakers of English, both children and adults. The program is diagnostic, prescriptive and developmental. The instruction focuses on reading for details, inference, the main idea, vocabulary (synonoyms, multiple meanings, discovering meaning in context), identifying the sequential signals in a text, and distinguishing between fact and opinion. The program includes a glossary with definitions and computer pronunciation of the target words. Useful for ESL false beginners and above. Also available as an online course. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Vista: Mac OS 8 or OS 9.
Diascriptive Reading in Science
Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: Educational Activities Software
Approximate single-unit price: 335
Purchase options: lab, network
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-3
Description: The program works like Diascriptive Reading, but with a focus on the content area of science. Five diagnostic tests and 25 reading programs are included. CD-ROM. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP: Mac OS 8 or OS 9.
Dilemma in the Workplace
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Educational Activities Software
Approximate single-unit price: 170
Purchase options: lab, network
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: Adult
Special use: VESL
Description: Workplace scenarios with ethical dilemmas are presented for discussion. Learners choose what the main character should do, then see the outcomes of that choice. Includes a glossary for higher-level vocabulary. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP: Mac OS 8 or OS 9.
Earobics
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Purchase options: Contact publisher
Level: Literacy, beginning, intermediate For: K-6
Special use: elementary
Description: Includes interactive software, guided instruction, student resources, teacher’s guides, correlations and assessments, customized professional development, and school-to-home connections. Designed for reading and phonics work.
Easy Street
Machine: Mac, Win
Publisher: Mindplay
See also Learning Services
Approximate single-unit price: 50
Purchase options: lab, site
Level: Literacy, beginning For: K-3
Special use: Bilingual, elementary, literacy
Description: Builds reading and math readiness skills. Teaches counting, classification and labeling in English and Spanish. Can be customized for special needs. Now part of One-Pick Pack (English only) or Language Pack (Spanish or French), which includes Ace Detective, Ace Explorer, Ace Inquirer, Ace Reporter, Easy Street, Race the Clock Language Arts, Word Hound, and some math titles. Pay a separate fee to install each the One-Pick Pack titles.
Eighteen Stories
Machine: Win
Publisher: Wida Software
Approximate single-unit price: 55
Purchase options: £38; site available
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: HE
Description: Reading skill building with stories read by the author; designed for ESL/EFL. Cloze and whole-text deletion exercises accompany the stories. Windows 95; not verified on XP or Vista. CD-ROM.
ESL ReadingSmart
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Alloy Multimedia
Purchase options: $750 for up to 25 users
Level: Beginning, intermediate, advanced For: K-6
Special use: Elementary
Description: Reading skill practice with literature: myths and legends, biographies, poetry, and short stories from different regions and cultural traditions. Learners can link to related stories, articles, vocabulary and comprehension activities and relevant Web sites. Vocabulary support is provided through pop-up definitions while reading, as well as graphics and sound. Teachers can track learners’ performance through online reports.
Eurocentres CALL Library
Machine: Win
Publisher: Wida Software
Approximate single-unit price: 110
Purchase options: £75 for 1-5 users
Level: Beginning, intermediate, advanced For: All
Description: Ten volumes of exercises to use with the Wida Authoring Suite programs (Gapmaster, Storyboard, Matchmaster, Choicemaster, Testmaster). Volumes include Elementary Grammar, Vocabulary, and Functions; Intermediate Grammar and Vocabulary; Advanced Grammar, Vocabulary, and Functions; Cambridge Proficience Practice, and International Business Topics. On CD-ROM. Windows 95/98/NT; not verified on XP or Windows.
Freeciv
Machine: Win
Publisher: Freeciv
Purchase options: freeware
Level: Advanced For: All but K-6
Description: Open source version of Civilization, originally by Microprose. Players build a civilization from the ground up. The strength of this program is in the way students must link their own game-playing strategies with the way that inventions and technology might have been discovered and developed: you can't have literature without writing, and you can't have writing without the alphabet; and this applies all the way up to building a space-station. Most effective for group work - make sure someone records information and the progress of the game as the group works. Download from http://freeciv.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page. Help is online as well. Windows XP, Vista: Mac OS X.
Froggy Phonics
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Ingenuity Works
Approximate single-unit price: 25
Purchase options: lab, site
Level: Literacy, beginning For: pre-K-3
Special use: elementary, literacy
Description: This CD-ROM has three modes: Learn, where children click on words or letters to hear them spoken; Watch, where children match words and objects then watch a movie incorporating target sounds; and Play, where students have five activities that focus on reading, spelling, painting, matching, and pattern recognition. Windows 95/98/ME/NT 4/2000/XP/Vista; Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, 10.1.x or up to IntelMac.
Hockey Sweater, The
Machine: Win
Publisher: Editions 3D
Level: Literacy, beginning For: All
Special use: literacy
Description: Multimedia CD-ROM for ESL and literacy learners. See the TESL Ontario review at http://www.teslontario.org/new/publ/contact/Summer2007_Vol33No3.pdf (refer to pp.22-29).
How to Read for Everyday Living
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Educational Activities Software
Approximate single-unit price: 160
Purchase options: lab, network
Level: Intermediate For: Adult
Description: Designed for adult learners. Topics include reading labels, menus, and job ads; managing money; working with want ads and job applications; and travel-related reading. Activities include crosswords and other puzzles. CD-ROM. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP: Mac OS 8 or OS 9.
I Speak English - Advanced Reading Comprehension (TOEFL)
Machine: Win
Publisher: Intechnica International
Approximate single-unit price: 360
Purchase options: site, network
Level: Advanced For: 9-Adult
Special use: TOEFL
Description: A multimedia CD-ROM with a focus on reading skills in academic areas, including science, history, literature, government, and poetry. Readings were designed to support TOEFL practice. Skills include previewing, main ideas using the context, scanning for details, making inferences, and phrasing. Audio is also provided.
Imagination Express: Destinations
Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: Sunburst Technology
Approximate single-unit price: 60
Purchase options: $60 each title; lab, network avail.
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: All
Description: Excellent software for making interactive storybooks. For ESL purposes, it is even better if projected onto a large screen for whole class oral language activities. Choose from a variety of scenes: school, home, playground, mall, etc. Place people and objects into this setting. These 'smart stickers' can be positioned inside, beside, behind, in front of, etc and change their size according to where they are placed on the screen. Narration can be added. CD-ROMs in the series: Castle; Neighborhoods; Rain Forest; Ocean; Pyramids; and Time Trip USA. For ESL, Neighborhoods and Oceans are probably most helpful. Sheltered English classes might be able to use others depending on subject.
Jump Start Reading series
Machine: Win
Publisher: Knowledge Adventure
See also Amazon.com, other mail order
Approximate single-unit price: 10
Purchase options: lab, site, T version
Level: Literacy, beginning For: pre-K-2
Special use: elementary, literacy
Description: A series of programs, sold separately. Reading programs are for Pre-kindergarten to grade 3 (about 9 years old) and have a focus on phonics and vocabulary practice. Literacy titles include sound-spelling drills. Multimedia drills with game elements designed to promote literacy. Teacher editions include 2 copies of the software plus teacher materials. Windows 2000/XP; not listed as Vista-compatible.
Just Grandma and Me
Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: Learning Company, The
See also Learning Services
Approximate single-unit price: 15
Purchase options: lab, network, site, teacher's ed.
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: All
Special use: Bilingual (Sp, Jap)
Description: This CD-ROM is a story about Little Critter's trip to the beach with his/her grandmother. It offers well-drawn, animated graphics with text and sound. The story is endearing to adults and children, but may seem too childish to teenagers. The learner can choose to listen to the story as it is displayed onscreen (with text highlighted as it is read) or to control the pace and click on different items within each screen to see what they do. The learner also has a choice of seeing and hearing the text in Spanish and Japanese (kanji). It may be helpful to low-level learners who speak those languages to go through the story once in their own language, then listen and read again in English. If students are interacting with the text in 'play' mode, they can be assigned tasks by a teacher to profit linguistically from the mostly graphical respones to their mouse clicks. Sold online/mail order only. Check product requirements carefully to be sure the version you are buying matches your equipment.
Key Skills for Reading: Spelling and Phonics
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Sunburst Technology
Purchase options: lab, network
Level: Literacy For: K-3
Special use: elementary
Description: Designed forr primary grades. Phonics activities focus on long vowel sounds, digraphs, and consonant clusters. Spelling includes practice with common roles and patterns of English spelling. Includes a Teacher Management Tool to track student achievement and progress on a single computer or on a server.
Learn English Now: English for Spanish Speakers
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Transparent Language
Approximate single-unit price: 70
Level: Beginning, intermediate, advanced For: All but K-6
Description: Reading-based language study, with windows that open up to offer vocabulary, grammar, and usage help on the word, sentence, or text level in Spanish. The program includes video clips, a talking dictionary, extensive grammar reference, vocabulary games, and pronunciation help that offers voice recording with (modestly helpful) waveforms. Especially good for those who have some English and want to maintain a reading knowledge of the language. An Educator's Edition includes classroom management tools.
Learn English with Asterix and Son
Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: EuroTalk
See also World of Reading
Approximate single-unit price: 50
Level: Intermediate For: All
Description: CD-ROM based programs that use sound, graphics, and text starring the comic book characters of Asterix the Gaul and his son. Students can monitor their progress with an animated quiz. Voice recording. Several different stories are available.
Let's Go Read: An Island Adventure
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Edmark Corporation/Riverdeep
Approximate single-unit price: 10
Purchase options: school version avail.
Level: Literacy, beginning For: Pre-K - 1
Special use: Elementary, literacy
Description: Reading skills in an adventure format. Hybrid Win/Mac CD-ROM or on disks by platform. Designed for native speakers. Mac OS 9 and below / X, Macintosh, Windows 2000 / 98 / Vista / XP - look carefully to be sure you are getting a version that runs on your equipment. Mail order/online only.
Lexica Reading
Machine: Mac, Win
Publisher: Lexia Learning
Purchase options: see publisher for details
Level: Literacy, beginning, intermediate For: K-12, AE
Special use: Elementary
Description: Three sepsarate programs: Lexia Early Reading for ages 3-5 phonemic awareness; Lexia Primary Reading for ages 5 to 8 basic reading skills; and Lexia Strategies for Older Students for ages 9 to adult reading skill practice. Has explicit practice in phonemic awareness and phonics; also works on vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. Leveled activities brance in response to student performance. Includes student record-keeping system. Records are stored online, at Lexia's server. Optional web-based component for self-study. The whole series is also available as a fully online program.
Lost Secret, The
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: DynEd International
Purchase options: contact publisher
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-8
Special use: Bilingual (Jap, Fr)
Description: BBC English's mystery is presented on CD-ROM in MPEG video, supported by a variety of practice exercises. The focus is on listening comprehension for basic level students. Students may interrupt at any time to repeat a sentence, record their voices, hear a spoken translation, see written text, or consult a glossary. Provides 80-100 hours of home or classroom study. A textbook, student workbook, and teacher's guide are available. Requires online access for record-keeping and verification. Contact publisher for details. Windows 95/98/ME/XP; Mac OS 9 and X.
Math for Everyday Living
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Educational Activities Software
Approximate single-unit price: 160
Purchase options: lab, network
Level: Intermediate For: Adult
Special use: VESL
Description: Topics include paying for a meal, sales slips, unit pricing, saving on transportation, sales tax, finding a job, overtime, piecework/commission work, and finding net pay. Designed for native speakers, but good for content-based work with English language learners. CD-ROM. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP: Mac OS 8 or OS 9.
Measuring Up
Machine: Win
Publisher: Protea Textware
See also Wida Software
Approximate single-unit price: 95
Purchase options: home version (cheaper); lab, site
Level: Beginning For: All but K-6
Description: Practice with numbers in real-world contexts, including shopping, cooking, weighing packages, and sports. CD-ROM. Australian English. Windows 2000, ME, 2003, XP, Vista.
Millie's Math House
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Edmark Corporation/Riverdeep
See also online/mail order
Approximate single-unit price: 20
Purchase options: school version avail.
Level: Literacy, beginning For: pre-K-3
Special use: Elementary, literacy
Description: CD-ROM with interactive math activities. A Spanish version is also available. Windows XP: Mac OS X. Not verified on Vista. Mail order/online only.
My Reading Coach
Machine: Win
Publisher: MindPlay
Approximate single-unit price: 300
Purchase options: contact publisher
Level: Literacy, beginning For: K-6
Special use: Literacy, elementary
Description: Phonics-based program. Includes an initial assessment of reading skills, then assigns lessons and monitors progress. Virtual teachers provide support and encouragement. Will support Macintosh clients using a Windows server or Windows standalone machines.
Need4Reading
Machine: Win
Publisher: Howard Bruce and Assoc.
Approximate single-unit price: 40
Level: Literacy, beginning For: All but K-5
Special use: literacy
Description: Phonics program using video to show mouth movements and teach sounds associated with each letter, making it also useful for pronunciation practice. The program progesses to words and phrases. CD-ROM.
Opinion Zone 1, 2, 3
Machine: Win
Publisher: Lingonet Oy
Approximate single-unit price: 90
Purchase options: 5-user, network
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-8
Description: Three separately CD-ROMs, each with different topics. Opinion Zone titles deal with the language of expressing opinions, built around a studio debate. The topics of these debates include Gun Law (Opinion Zone 1), European Union (Opinion Zone 2), and No More Roads (Opinions Zone 3). In addition to the studio material, Opinion Zone titles include a variety of interviews with people ranging from an Australian government minister to a street vendor. Opinion Zone titles are not intended to be self-contained courses; rather, they are classroom resources that teachers can call on to support an existing study programme. CD-ROM. See the website (http://www.lingonet.com) for demos and downloads.
Pencilbot
Machine: Win
Publisher: Edutainment Resources
See also Encomium
Approximate single-unit price: 30
Purchase options: package of 6 for $180
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-4
Description: Multimedia DVD designed for ESL with pop culture topics, one topic per DVD. Content includes videos, listening exercises, and interactive games, DVDs can be purchased separately or as part of a bi-monthly subscription. Short versions are also available in iPhone format.
Picture Context Reader
Machine: Win
Publisher: Merit Audio Visual
Approximate single-unit price: 40
Purchase options: lab, network, site
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: All but HE
Description: Short sentences are accompanied by illustrations, with an emphasis on the nouns in the pictures. Students respond to prompts; they advance if they achieve a certain number correct. Explanations are given throughout. Record management system. Designed for low-beginning ESL learners and adults. Synthesized speech is an option. Windows 95/98/2000/XP; not verified for Vista. A demo is available from the website, http://www.meritsoftware.com/.
Quantum Reading Software
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Steck-Vaughn
See also Harcourt Brace
Approximate single-unit price: 220
Purchase options: 4 levels, each sold separately
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All
Description: Four levels of timed reading activities, each sold separately. Designed for native speakers.
Reactions!
Machine: Win
Publisher: Clarity Language Consultants
Approximate single-unit price: 270
Purchase options: network, lab
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-6
Description: Focus on reading and vocabulary strategies including prediction, identifying your reason for reading, skimming, scanning, dictionary work, guessing or ignoring unknown words. Five levels (elementary to advanced). The program uses a variety of text types, both formal and informal. All units include a range of skills activities, such as discussion, listening, and writing. The audio includes a range of accents.
Read On
Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: Steck-Vaughn
See also Harcourt Brace
Purchase options: Enterprise-level; contact publisher.
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: 8-12
Description: Enterprise-level comprehensive reading intervention program. While designed for native speakers, this should also be helpful for English language learners. Requires a Windows or Novell server and Windows client computers.
Read Up-Speed Up
Machine: Win
Publisher: Sky Software House
See also Wida Software
Approximate single-unit price: 115
Purchase options: Sold in a reading package
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-8
Description: Speed reading and reading comprehension program. The student chooses from a bank of 60 British English texts labelled according to category, including business related, science and technology, general interest, etc. Students choose the number of lines they want displayed at a time and the number of seconds they have to read them and the program runs through the text. At the end there is a short test on the content. Authorable.
Reader Rabbit Learn to Read Phonics
Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: Learning Company, The
See also online/mail order
Approximate single-unit price: 20
Purchase options: lab, site
Level: Literacy, beginning For: K-2
Special use: Elementary, literacy
Description: This program is designed to make learning to recognize letters and words fun for younger children. It uses brightly-colored graphics with smiling animals to motivate sound-symbol practice. Several different types of exercises are included, mostly phonics-related. Students can choose which type of activity to do; a record-keeping function is included so that the teacher can see what the learner worked on and how s/he did. CD-ROM. Mac OS X and Windows 98/XP; not verified for Vista. Check the product specifications carefully to be sure you are getting the right one for your computer. Knowledge Adventure titles are now sold only through third-party vendors.
Reader Rabbit's Interactive Reading Journey 2
Machine: Mac/Win
Publisher: Learning Company, The
See also online/mail order
Approximate single-unit price: 20
Level: Beginning, intermediate, teacher For: K-2
Special use: Elementary
Description: Thirty stories; games that promote phonics, word recognition and comprehension. On CD-ROM. Mac OS X and Windows 95/98; not verified on Vista. Check the product specifications carefully to be sure you are getting the right one for your computer. Knowledge Adventure titles are now sold only through third-party vendors.
Reading Blaster series
Machine: Mac/ Win
Publisher: Knowledge Adventure
Approximate single-unit price: 30
Purchase options: lab, site, T version
Level: For: pre-K-6
Special use: literacy, elementary
Description: The Reading Blaster series has three programs: Ages 4-6, Ages 6-9, and Ages 9-12. Multimedia drills and games build reading skills. CD-ROM. Teacher editions include 2 copies of the software plus teacher materials. Check the product specifications carefully to be sure you are getting the right one for your computer. Knowledge Adventure titles are now sold only through third-party vendors. Different versions are available for Mac OS 9, OS X, Windows 95/98/XP and Vista.
Reading Horizons
Machine: Win
Publisher: HEC Software
Purchase options: Contact publisher
Level: Literacy, beginning For: K-6
Special use: literacy, bilingual
Description: Multimedia phonics instruction that follows a specific system of instruction, using both explicit (single letters to words) and implicit (words to sounds) instruction. The method requires that teachers be trained so that they can present the concepts in a sequential, cumulative manner. The program addresses "sight words" and teaches them from a linguistics standpoint, rather than rote memorization. It teaches phonological awareness, phonological decoding, phonological encoding, phonological recording, print awareness, semantics, syntax, and segmentation. The home version is geared for children; the school version can be used with adults or children. ESL-oriented items. A demo is available on the website; interested schools can arrange for a more extensive introduction to the program.
Reading in the Workplace
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Educational Activities Software
Approximate single-unit price: 250
Purchase options: $250 each area; lab, network
Level: Intermediate For: Adult
Special use: VESL
Description: Reading skills work in an employment context. Six work areas (sold separately or as a complete set): construction, health care, clerical, automotive, electronics, and food services. Each program offers three progressive levels of reading difficulty. CD-ROM. Windows 98/NT/2000/XP: Mac OS 8 or OS 9.
Reading Rodeo
Machine: Mac
Publisher: Heartsoft
Approximate single-unit price: 60
Purchase options: lab, site, network
Level: Literacy, beginning For: pre-K-1
Special use: bilingual, literacy, elementary
Description: Literacy skills are the focus, with audio prompts. Icons show how to make letters, and graphics are used for letter associations. The rodeo motif comes in with the Cactus Kid, who lassos 104 cartoon graphics which begin with corresponding letters. The English and ESL version includes 2 sets of disks, 1 in English and 1 in Spanish. This title is included in Heartsoft Bestsellers. Mac OS 7-9; Windows 95/98/2000/XP.
Reading Street Fluency Coach
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: Scott Foresman
Approximate single-unit price: 200
Purchase options: $240 Mac version; grades sold separately
Level: Beginning, intermediate, advanced For: 2-6
Special use: Elementary
Description: Uses voice recognition software to build fluency in reading. Students read selections into the microphone, and software tracks words correct per minute and provides corrective feedback. Students can listen to model fluent readings and practice reading on their own. Grades 2-6 sold separately.
REAL Reading in English
Machine: Win
Publisher: TELL Consortium
Purchase options: freeware
Level: Advanced For: HE
Description: The primary purpose of the two REAL Reading packages, REAL Reading in English for Business and Management and REAL Reading in English for Social Scientists is to enable students to recognise and apply the reading skills of prediction, skimming, scanning, searching and demonstrating understanding to a range of text types likely to be encountered during the second or third year of a first degree at an English-speaking university. Nine texts are provided in each package, and each text is designed to occupy a higher intermediate level student for approximately two hours. The secondary purpose is to encourage students to assess their own work and, as a result, to become more independent language learners. Where responses, rather than suggestions, are required from the students, answers are provided with which students are required to compare and evaluate their own input. Now available as free downloads from the TELL Consortium FTP server at language.hull.ac.uk in the directory /pub/TELL.
Road to Citizenship
Machine: Win
Publisher: Trinity Software
See also Encomium
Approximate single-unit price: 95
Purchase options: lab
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: Adult
Special use: Citizenship
Description: Interactive multimedia lessons help users complete the application for naturalization, study for the citizenship test, and prepare for the interview. The text can be read or heard, with vocabulary pronunciation and definitions available. A classroom version with record-keeping software and up to five simultaneous users is also available. Windows 98, 2000, NT, ME and XP.
Roxie's Reading Fish
Machine: Win
Publisher: LatticeWork Software
Approximate single-unit price: 25
Level: Beginning For: K-3
Special use: elementary
Description: Animated game environment for children with basic, high-frequency words; text and audio. Shareware fee includes other titles. Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000/XP.
Sight Words
Machine: Mac, Win
Publisher: PerLingua Software
Approximate single-unit price: 13
Purchase options: site
Level: Literacy, beginning For: All
Special use: literacy
Description: Vocabulary practice - includes the Dolch sight words list. Authorable for more, and flashcards can be printed out for off-computer work. Site license for $100. Very simple interface. Windows 95/XP; Mac OS 9, X.
Spanish English Education Resources (SEER)
Machine: Win
Publisher: SEER Education Corporation
Approximate single-unit price: 300
Purchase options: annual subscription, lab, site
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-6
Special use: bilingual
Description: Digital English Spanish dictionary including synonyms, verb conjugations and idiomatic expressions, and an interactive computer-aided translator (ICAT). SEER helps students develop and improve full English Spanish bilingualism. Download a trial copy at the website, http://www.seeredu.com/self.html.
STAR Reading
Machine: Mac, Win
Publisher: Renaissance Learning
Purchase options: Enterprise-level; contact publisher.
Level: Beginning, intermediate, advanced For: All
Description: Enterprise-based solution. Computer-adaptive reading test designed to assess the reading level of any student with at least a 100-word vocabulary. Windows server is required; clients are browser-based and can run on Windows or Macintosh.
Stickybear's Reading Room
Machine: Mac
Publisher: Optimum Resource
See also online/mail order
Approximate single-unit price: 50
Purchase options: network, site
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: K-6
Special use: Bilingual, elementary
Description: Teaches pre-reading and basic reading skills in both English and Spanish. Exercises include match the word, find the word, and build a sentence. Activities use colorful animation and digitized speech.
Story World 1&2
Machine: Win, Mac
Publisher: EuroTalk
See also World of Reading
Approximate single-unit price: 40
Purchase options: lab, site
Level: Beginning For: K-5
Special use: Elementary
Description: This ESL program uses 8 well-known children's stories to teach English skills (narrated by British speakers). CD-ROM 1 has Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, Incy Wincy Spider, 3 Billy Goats Gruff and Humpty Dumpty. CD-ROM 2 has Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and Jill, Jack and the Beanstalk and Hickory Dickory Dock. A friendly dragon speaks 18 languages to guide the user in their native language. The user can even record their own story. The program tracks the progress of each user - earn enough points and print out your own certificate. Available in the US through World of Reading and other mail order vendors. Windows 2000/ME/XP/Vista; Mac OS X.
Study Skills Success
Machine: Win
Publisher: Clarity Language Consultants
Approximate single-unit price: 75
Purchase options: Each area sold separately; lab packs
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: 9-12, HE
Description: This English for Academic Purposes program is designed for students facing difficult course assignments in English. The eight units are reading, writing, speaking, listening, research, visuals, grammar, and vocabulary. Presentation activities and practice in an academic context for each area. International English version has a range of accents and IELTS practice. Nother American version includes only North American Accents. Authoring and record-keeping are optional add-ons for extra cost. This replaces Read It Study Skills. Windows 2000/XP/Vista. The online version is Mac compatible as well.
Thinking Things Collection
Machine: Win
Publisher: Edmark Corporation/Riverdeep
Approximate single-unit price: 10
Purchase options: lab, school version
Level: Literacy, beginning For: Pre-K -6
Special use: elementary, literacy
Description: Thinking Things 1 develops problem solving skills for small children but is also quite useful all the way to adults for oral language development in discussing attributes: color; striped; polka-dotted; plain; curly hair; glasses. Visit the Fripple Shop and Feathered Friends, especially. Also available: Thinking Things 2 and 3. Windows 95/98; not tested on XP or Vista. Available by mail order/online only.
Tortoise and the Hare
Machine: Win
Publisher: Learning Company, The
See also World of Reading
Approximate single-unit price: 15
Purchase options: lab, network, site, teacher's ed.
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: All
Special use: bilingual, elementary
Description: Colorful and interactive storybook. Students can hear the story read in both English and Spanish. Each page is filled with surprises to entertain and motivate new readers. Requires a CD-ROM drive. Sold online/mail order only. Check product requirements carefully to be sure the version you are buying matches your equipment. Windows 3.1 to XP, depending on the version.
Travel Literacy CD-ROM
Machine: Win
Publisher: Learnware
Approximate single-unit price: 90
Purchase options: class, site
Level: Intermediate, advanced For: All but K-3
Description: Learners follow 4 travelers around Australia, reading and writing a range of texts encountered before and during travel. Information pages contain relevant, interesting Australian content. Real life texts are featured throughout with features highlighted. Work on it activities allow learners to interact with texts onscreen, while developing reading, writing and computer skills. All 90 onscreen activities on the Learner CD are available in a printable format in the Learners Workbook
Trudy's Time and Place House
Machine: Win/Mac
Publisher: Edmark Corporation/Riverdeep
Approximate single-unit price: 10
Purchase options: school version avail.
Level: Literacy, beginning For: pre-K - 3
Special use: Elementary, literacy
Description: Time and geography instruction with different activities. Designed for native speakers. CD-ROM. Different versions are available for Windows 95/98/NT/2000 and XP, Mac OS X - check carefully to see that you are getting a version that works on your equipment. Mail order/online only.
Twisted Tails
Machine: Win
Publisher: AHA! Software
Approximate single-unit price: 10
Level: Beginning, intermediate For: K-6
Special use: elementary
Description: Popular fairy tales with an optional mad-libs style twist - the stories are not quite as they used to be. When the stories are 'twisted,' the computer slots randomly selected names, words and phrases into the framework of the traditional stories. You can even select the names of the hero/heroine in each story or let the computer pick for you. Words can be added to the computer's vocabulary. The freeware version includes a few stories, and the shareware version includes several more.
Ultimate Speed Reader
Machine: Win
Publisher: Knowledge Adventure
See also Learning Services
Approximate single-unit price: 30
Purchase options: lab, site
Level: Intermediate, advanced, teacher For: All but K-6
Description: An updated version of Davidson's Speed Reader with six activities, including a game mode, and a management system that tracks student progress. This reading skills program includes letter and word recognition, eye movement and column reading exercises, as well as various readings. Texts can be added by using the authoring component (not simply by using a word-processed file). Windows 2000/XP.
Zip Zoom English
Machine: Mac, Win
Publisher: Scholastic Software
Purchase options: $3000 for 30-station license
Level: Literacy, beginning For: K-3
Special use: literacy, elementary
Description: CD-ROM that accompanies 10 books, workbooks audio CDs, teacher's guide, and other material. There is a strong focus on phonics and basic vocabulary-building. Extensive record-keeping. Windows 2000/XP; Mac OS X.
https://eltexpert.com/softlist/callreading.html
Last updated 25 May 2009 by Deborah Healey, dhealey at uoregon dot edu
.
|