10 game-changing ways to use Book Creator to support language acquisition and content accessibility

1. Bring content to life for MLs with multimodal supports

Explaining the process of photosynthesis to newcomer ELLs who haven't learned English yet can lead to frustration for both you and your students. By combining written text with audio explanations, visuals, and interactive elements, teachers can make grade-level content comprehensible for ELLs at various proficiency levels.

For example, a science teacher might create a digital book about the water cycle that includes:

• Audio recordings explaining key concepts
• Interactive diagrams with labeled parts
• Add guiding questions and visuals to complex text
• Videos demonstrating the scientific processes
• Include rich visuals or videos to guide discussions and build background

This multimodal approach ensures ELLs can access rigorous content while developing academic language. Novice students no longer feel so lost and can actively engage in lessons.

2. Use translation tools to welcome and empower Newcomer students

To support our newest English learners, Book Creator's translation features can be a helpful starting point for accessing information and participating in activities in the classroom. Allowing students to toggle between their home language and English makes it possible to honor students' home languages while building English proficiency.

In my classroom, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of bilingual book creation. A newcomer who initially withdrew during reading time blossomed with confidence as they created a bilingual book. Sharing their knowledge and even teaching peers new words in their native language fostered a profound sense of belonging. The translation features also allows teachers to create multilingual texts that:

• Present directions in both English and students' home languages
• Include multilingual glossaries for key academic vocabulary
• Feature audio in multiple languages
• Allow newcomer students to respond in their language of choice

Recognizing the goal of English language acquisition, these translation supports can be easily turned off within the library settings, allowing for a gradual removal of the scaffold as students gain confidence and proficiency.

3. Building academic language through interactive vocabulary books

ELLs need explicit support with both general academic vocabulary (Tier 2) and discipline-specific (Tier 3) words. Book Creator can be used to develop interactive, multimodal vocabulary books that support academic language development:

• Teachers can embed audio allowing students to hear the proper pronunciations of challenging terms.
• Visual supports can clarify meaning without relying solely on written definitions.
• Students can record their own explanations of terms, practicing metalinguistic awareness.
• Vocabulary can be organized by content area, supporting language across the curriculum using our templates within Book Creator.

These glossaries or vocabulary books serve as personalized reference tools that support vocabulary acquisition in authentic contexts. As an educator, it's incredibly rewarding to observe the shift in a student who has struggled with a concept for weeks, and a surge in confidence as they finally "get it."

4. Boost speaking confidence with Book Creator's audio tools

For newcomers and emerging bilinguals at the beginning levels of proficiency, the audio recording feature is particularly valuable. Students who may not yet have the confidence or proficiency to express themselves in writing can still express their valuable ideas by:

• Recording oral responses to demonstrate content understanding.
• Practicing oral language development by recording and listening to their speech.
• Receiving targeted feedback on pronunciation and expression.
• Participating fully in classroom activities despite limited English proficiency.

This approach honors the principle that language develops within sociocultural contexts and supports students' progression through the language domains of speaking and listening.

Explore some of our audio page templates to support your learners.

5. Create digital portfolios to track multilingual learner growth

Book Creator can serve as a platform for formative assessment that captures ELLs' growth over time. By creating digital portfolios, teachers can:

• Document students' progress across language development levels
• Collect evidence of growth in all four language domains (reading, writing, listening, speaking).
• Implement performance-based assessment aligned with state proficiency standards.
• Share concrete examples of student progress with families and support staff.

These digital portfolios provide a holistic view of students' linguistic and academic development while allowing for differentiated assessment based on language proficiency levels. It also empowers students to actively participate in their learning, fostering genuine pride as they track their progress.

6. Strengthen family connections with multilingual digital books

Book Creator can serve as a powerful bridge between school and home by enabling the creation of multilingual communications. Teachers can:

• Create welcome books for newcomer families in their home languages then translate the entire book in multiple languages.
• Develop bilingual explanations of classroom procedures and expectations
• Share curriculum overviews with audio explanations in multiple languages.
• Invite family members to contribute cultural knowledge through recorded stories.

This approach supports WIDA's emphasis on sociocultural contexts and recognizes that language learning is embedded within family and community relationships.

7. Supporting comprehensible input

Book Creator's rich visuals, audio and video features, and text-to-speech functionality help ELLs access challenging texts at their own pace. These features provide the comprehensible input necessary for them to understand and engage with grade-level content.

• Students can listen repeatedly to challenging texts, even in a PDF format.
• Pronunciation models support phonological awareness.
• Reading fluency develops through audio-supported reading.
• Content becomes accessible regardless of decoding abilities.

This technology particularly benefits students who may understand spoken English at a higher level than they can read independently.

8. Develop writing skills with speech-to-text tools

For ELLs who have stronger oral language skills than writing abilities, Book Creator's speech-to-text feature can scaffold the writing process:

• Students can dictate responses and see them converted to text.
• The gap between oral and written expression narrows.
• Students focus on content rather than mechanics initially.
• Teachers can address language conventions in context.

This approach enables students to articulate their reasoning verbally before tackling the challenges of written argumentation.

9. Celebrate student identity through bilingual storytelling

Book Creator is also a powerful platform for what the research calls "identity texts."—stories that reflect students' cultural backgrounds and experiences.

• Students can create bilingual narratives about their experiences.
• Cultural traditions can be documented through text and audio.
• Family knowledge can be incorporated through interviews and stories.
• Books can be published and celebrated to build community and confidence

These identity texts validate students' experiences while developing language and building empathy among peers.

A great place for students to start is with their own story:

10. Encourage peer collaboration to build language and confidence

Book Creator's real-time collaborative feature supports sociocultural approaches to language acquisition where learning occurs through interaction. I've watched in amazement as newcomers, emerging bilinguals, and English-proficient students work together on digital books. Each student contributes according to their strengths. Students can:

• Work in mixed proficiency groups on shared books.
• Engage in language-focused peer feedback.
• Practice academic conversations while planning and creating content.
• Develop discourse through authentic communication.

Book Creator as an inclusive learning tool for multilingual learners

By integrating Book Creator into ELL instruction, educators can create more equitable, accessible learning environments that honor students' linguistic backgrounds while supporting their journey toward English proficiency.

As students create, collaborate, and communicate through Book Creator, they develop not only English proficiency but also digital literacy, creativity, and agency as learners. In this way, Book Creator becomes more than just an accessibility tool—it becomes a platform for empowerment, where ELLs can find their voice and share their unique perspectives with a wider audience.