As an ESL teacher at a private Japanese school in Illinois for over a decade, I’ve often grappled with the challenge of incorporating all four key literacy skills—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—into my limited class time. This task becomes even more complex when working with students primarily focused on conversational English. However, this year brought a transformative opportunity as I began working with a small group of advanced 1st and 2nd graders who are not only reading at grade level but are also eager to write.
WriteReader in action
Introducing WriteReader into our curriculum has made a remarkable difference. From the moment we started using the platform, I witnessed a newfound enthusiasm blooming in my students. Within just a few days, they were crafting their own stories and even creating multiple books—albeit short and simple ones. The unique feature of being able to add personal pictures and voice recordings has turned the writing process into an engaging and enjoyable activity that my students genuinely look forward to.
Transformative results through daily writing
One of the standout practices we implemented was keeping a daily diary through WriteReader. This activity allowed my students to express themselves more freely while taking ownership of their words. Watching them grow in confidence as they experimented with writing has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching career. It is heartening to see them embrace this newfound skill and engage meaningfully with their own ideas.
A recommendation for educators
For any teacher seeking to enhance their students’ literacy skills while keeping them motivated and engaged, I wholeheartedly recommend WriteReader. Its user-friendly interface is perfect for young learners, and it fosters creativity in ways that nurture a love for reading and writing that extends beyond the classroom walls.
Erik Nelson is an English teacher at the Chicago Futabakai Japanese School in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
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