"This timely, user-friendly book provides inservice and preservice ESL teachers with the background and tools needed to implement Web 2.0 technologies in their classes today. The ELLs in these classrooms will benefit from learning English (and content) through rich and motivating technologies such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, visual media, social networking, and Second Life. Designed for teachers who need some guidance in using technology as a teaching tool, this handbook is very easy to follow and provides step by step instructions for even the most inexperienced 'digital (non) natives'!"
—Holly Hansen-Thomas, Assistant Professor of Bilingual and ESL Education
Texas Woman's University

Discover how Web 2.0 tools can advance English language learning!

Today's interactive Web tools offer teachers of English language learners a wealth of opportunities to inspire and motivate their students. This user-friendly, research-based guide shows how the "read/write" Web can enhance classroom learning and extend English language acquisition beyond school hours.

Lori Langer de Ramirez, a nationally known expert on ESL teaching and curriculum development, offers strategies for both ESL and mainstream classroom environments. Aligned with national TESOL standards, this resource provides:

• A step-by-step guide for a wide range of relevant Web tools/activities, from blogs and podcasts to social networking and more
• Classroom-ready projects designed to benefit learners' social and academic language development
• Guidance on how and when to use Web tools with elementary, middle, and high school students
• Personal narratives from teachers who have successfully used Web tools to teach English language learners
• Teacher-tested and parent-approved guidelines for safe and appropriate Internet use

Support your students in gaining language proficiency and 21st-century skills through working with creative, collaborative Web tools!

Great thanks to teachers in Worcester, MA for sharing this video on how they are using the book to improve student achievement.

• Provides detailed explanations of the technologies—where to find them, how to use them, how they might fit into an existing curriculum, and how they work well for English Language Learners.
• Includes a step-by-step guide to various useful Web sites and how to use them, utilizing screen shots and an easy-to-understand format.
• Provides research-based examples and ideas of the types of projects and activities that might work well with the English Language Learners.
• Each tool chapter has the following 6 part structure:

1. What is this tool? What does it do? In this section information is provided about the tool, how it works, and what the main features look like.
2. Why is this tool great for ELLs? Readers will find a specific rationale for the use of the technology to meet the specific needs of English Language Learners in the mainstream classroom.
3. How are teachers using this tool with ELLs How does a lesson using this tool work in the ESL classroom? The book explores in detail activities created by ESL teachers that are aligned to both the TESOL standards and the 21^st century skills. 
4. When can I use this tool with my ELLs? Expanding on the previous section, adaptations of the activities, as well as alternative activities, are provided for teachers of students in grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. 
5. Who is using this tool with ELLs? In a personal narrative, a teacher shares the challenges and the successes in using the tool with ESL students.
6. Where can we find more information? To complete each chapter, the author offers a list of links to online resources and a bibliography of further readings on the chapter topic.