Students learning English via ipod

A PILOT program is allowing students at Ipswich Girls Grammar School to use the latest technology to improve their English skills.

Sixteen students from non-English speaking backgrounds have been provided with their own Apple iPod Touch unit – a device about the size of a mobile phone – which they use to access specially designed English listening and speaking lessons.

Teacher Justine Bomm said the lessons were accompanied by a website where she could log in and monitor the children's' work.

“We can even play it back to the students later in a classroom setting,” Mrs Bomm said.

The 12-month trial began in April and has already had a positive effect.

Indigenous Year 9 grammar student Yasmine Wilson said not having the best English skills made her feel a bit left out at the start of this year.

Yasmine grew up in a remote part of the Northern Territory speaking the Creol language, which is similar to Pidgin.

“I arrived in February and I felt a bit left out until I joined this class,” she said.

Independent Schools Queensland assistant director Janelle Wills said the application gave students 24-hour access to learning materials, results and teacher feedback.

“In a society where many things compete for students' attention this program is particularly exciting as it has managed to captivate and motivate students to learn and succeed,” she said.