Empowering English Language Learners: Meet Students Where They Are with Listenwise and Lingolift

The following is a guest post written by fifth-grade teacher Nancy Chung. Also known as @fancynancyin5th on social media, Ms. Chung is also the host of the Schoolyard Podcast, a content creator, and a national presenter. 

The journey for English language learners is a unique, complex blend of acquiring a new language while simultaneously navigating challenging academic content.

As a former newcomer to the U.S. who was placed in a kindergarten class at age 10, I know firsthand how isolating this challenge can be. My experience shaped my commitment as a teacher: learning English should never come at the cost of a student’s confidence or sense of belonging.

Every student deserves an environment that honors both their language journey and their developmental age. That’s why the combined power of Listenwise and Lingolift is a game-changer for supporting English language learners today.

Why Age-Appropriate Content is Key for English Language Learners

English language learners arrive with a wealth of life experience and academic knowledge in their native language. However, when support materials are either too simplistic for older students or too complex for beginners, students can feel excluded or underestimated.

• Simplistic Content: Content far below students’ maturity level can lead to a loss of interest and, more critically, a loss of confidence.
  
• Overly Complex Content: Materials that are too advanced linguistically can cause frustration and lead students to shut down.

The solution lies in providing level-specific, age-appropriate content that respects students’ current developmental stage. This is where the synergy of Listenwise and Lingolift truly shines, providing targeted support for students at every English Language Proficiency (ELP) level.

Personalizing the English Learning Journey

Listenwise and Lingolift enable teachers to differentiate instruction with precision, ensuring English language learners can access the same academic content as their peers and do not feel left behind.

Meeting Every English Language Learner at Their Level:

1. Scaffolded Access with Lingolift: For newcomer students or those with lower English proficiency, Lingolift offers engaging video and audio content supported by essential scaffolds:
   • Captions
   • Vocabulary support
   • Level-appropriate comprehension questions
     
2. Higher-Order Engagement with Listenwise: More advanced English learners can explore the same thematic topics through Listenwise with content that includes higher-order discussion prompts and analysis activities, pushing their academic language development.

This parallel approach ensures every student can participate in the same core classroom conversations, each from their appropriate entry point. Students are challenged, but not overwhelmed, which is crucial for building both skill and confidence in English.

Driving Engagement with Relevant Content

One of the most powerful features of these tools is their focus on meaningful and relevant content. Instead of isolated grammar drills, students practice language skills through high-interest stories and concepts that connect to their lives, including:

• Real-world issues, such as sports, daily routines, and technology
• Current events, such as rising sea levels
• Core academic subjects (STEM, social studies, ELA)

When the content honors their age and interests, student motivation skyrockets, and students are no longer just learning language; they are using it to explore the world, sparking curiosity and making their English learning more effective.

Fostering Independence for English Language Learners

Both Listenwise and Lingolift are designed to nurture independent learning, a transformative goal for English language learners. 

With Listenwise and Lingolift, ELs gain the autonomy to:

• Work at their own pace
• Replay audio and review text as needed
• Monitor their own progress
• Check comprehension independently

This shift empowers students to become self-directed learners. The result is profound: they move from needing constant support to a place where they can confidently contribute, participate, and thrive alongside their peers. I no longer have to pull them out for “extra” help; they are integrated, learning, and finding their voice.

Create the Inclusive Classroom Your ELs Deserve

My 5th-grade experience taught me the profound impact resources can have on a child’s educational and emotional journey. Now, with tools like Listenwise and Lingolift, I get to create the classroom I wish I’d had: one that honors students linguistically, challenges them intellectually, and celebrates them emotionally.

For teachers dedicated to supporting English language learners, this combination makes it possible to differentiate learning with true empathy and equity. When students learn with content that matches their potential, they don’t just find their voice in English; they find their confidence and a secure sense of belonging in the classroom.