Incorporating Duolingo for Schools into Professional Communication: A Path to Supporting TEKS, TELPAS, and ELA

As educators look for innovative ways to support language proficiency in the classroom, Duolingo for Schools(https://schools.duolingo.com) offers a dynamic, engaging platform that can seamlessly integrate into a Professional Communication class. By incorporating the Intermediate English Program, educators can enhance students’ reading and speaking skills while aligning with key standards like the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS), and English Language Arts (ELA)objectives.

Supporting TEKS through Duolingo

The TEKS for Professional Communication emphasize developing students’ ability to comprehend and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Duolingo’s interactive lessons, which combine reading, writing, and speaking tasks, are an ideal tool to support these objectives. Research shows that game-based learning and interactive platforms like Duolingo can increase student motivation and learning outcomes by providing immediate feedback and personalized pacing (Clark et al., 2016). By incorporating Duolingo’s Intermediate English lessons into daily activities, students can work on key TEKS skills such as understanding complex texts and communicating ideas clearly and effectively.

For example, students can use Duolingo’s reading modules to practice comprehending short passages, answering comprehension questions, and discussing the material in class, directly aligning with TEKS standards related to reading comprehension and critical thinking.

Enhancing Speaking Skills with TELPAS

For English Language Learners (ELLs), TELPAS assesses progress in language proficiency, particularly in speaking and listening. Duolingo’s speaking exercises allow students to practice speaking English in a low-pressure, interactive environment. By completing these exercises regularly, students can build confidence in their oral language skills, which is crucial for success on the TELPAS speaking assessments.

A study by Gonulal (2020) highlights the benefits of digital language learning platforms like Duolingo for improving oral proficiency, particularly for ELLs. The structured speaking practice provided by Duolingo enables students to focus on correct pronunciation, sentence structure, and fluency, which are critical components of the TELPAS speaking rubric.

Building Reading and Comprehension for ELA Success

Incorporating Duolingo into a Professional Communication class can also support ELA objectives, which require students to analyze, interpret, and evaluate written texts. Duolingo’s Intermediate English lessons offer rich opportunities for students to engage in reading comprehension tasks that range from vocabulary building to understanding context and main ideas.

Duolingo’s adaptive learning technology adjusts the difficulty of reading materials based on student performance, ensuring that each student is working at the appropriate level. According to a meta-analysis by Means et al. (2014), adaptive learning tools improve student outcomes by personalizing instruction to individual learning needs. Using Duolingo in conjunction with classroom discussions and activities provides students with a well-rounded approach to mastering both reading and communication skills, ensuring they are prepared to meet ELA standards.

Integrating Duolingo into Classroom Activities

In a Professional Communication class, Duolingo can be incorporated as both a formative assessment tool and a classroom activity. For example:

  • Speaking Activities: After completing Duolingo’s speaking exercises, students can participate in class discussions or presentations, using the vocabulary and phrases they’ve practiced.
  • Reading Assignments: Teachers can assign Duolingo reading passages as homework or in-class activities, followed by group discussions to analyze and evaluate the material.
  • Progress Monitoring: Teachers can track student progress using Duolingo’s built-in tracking tools, allowing for targeted interventions based on individual needs.

This integration helps meet TEKS, TELPAS, and ELA requirements by providing a well-rounded, engaging platform that enhances language learning.

Conclusion

Educators can support student progress in critical areas such as reading, speaking, and comprehension by incorporating Duolingo for Schools into a Professional Communication class. The platform’s engaging, adaptive approach aligns with state standards like TEKS, TELPAS, and ELA while also offering students the opportunity to build essential communication skills in an interactive, meaningful way. For teachers looking to enhance language instruction, Duolingo is a valuable tool that fosters student success.


References:

  • Clark, D. B., Tanner-Smith, E. E., & Killingsworth, S. S. (2016). Digital games, design, and learning: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 86(1), 79-122.
  • Gonulal, T. (2020). The Use of Duolingo in the Language Classroom: Insights from Students’ Perceptions. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 49(2), 145-165.
  • Means, B., Bakia, M., & Murphy, R. (2014). Learning online: What research tells us about whether, when, and how. Routledge.

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