Helpful apps
Google Translate
The most useful tool for any ESL teacher. It can be used to translate one word or even full pages worth of text into many, many different languages. It also has a voice-to-text feature where students can speak to the iPad and it will instantly translate for them. We used this app on a daily basis as well as to translate full newsletters to send home to the parents. You can also use the website for this app at www.translate.google.ca.
Word Lens
An incredibly impressive app that allows you to hover your iPad/iPhone over a word that is in a different language, and it will live translate it for you on the screen. This is handy for students in the real world when they encounter a street or shop sign that they do not understand.
Duolingo
Duolingo is an app that I use for my own language development. It teaches new languages in a fun and easy way, building on each lesson as you become more comfortable with the grammar and vocabulary. It is completely FREE and comes with an accountability feature that helps you set your own language goals.