4 Tools to Help Multilingual Learners Practice Speaking for the WIDA ACCESS Test

The speaking part of the WIDA ACCESS test requires targeted practice in an engaging and supportive environment. It can be challenging for students, especially new or shy students. As ESL/ML teachers, we want to provide our students with as much practice as possible so that they feel more at ease on the day of their assessment. 

In this post, I want to share some easy to use and student-friendly tools available to help build students' confidence and fluency while honing their speaking skills. Here are four excellent resources that can make a big difference for your learners.

1. Canva

Canva is an amazing tool to use in the classroom. On Canva, you can create templates and assign them to students individually so each student gets a copy of the template and can record an answer to the question on the template. They have the option to record only their voice or to record using a video. The recordings are saved on your Canva account so you can later listen to their recordings. Canva offers free images that you can use in your templates. For example, I look for pictures of daily scenes because these allow an open-ended way for students to practice describing what they see in the picture, make predictions, or even compare and contrast ideas. Check if your school or district has student/teacher accounts for Canva.

2. Power Point

Power Point is another easy way to create speaking practice opportunities for your students. Add a picture or a prompt depending on your students’ English level and the skill you want them to practice on a slide. Then, have students record their answer to the prompt by clicking on “record,” click on the music note icon, and then click the “record audio.” Students can also record using a video option by clicking the “record,” and selecting the green circle icon record. Then, a window will open where they can record a video, and use drawing tools to add notes or pictures on the slide.

3. Voice Recorder

Voice Recorder is a preinstalled app on Windows laptops where students can record audio to a prompt you are projecting or a printed copy of a prompt. The audio is saved on their device and they can listen back to it to reflect on their answers. It is straightforward to use. If you try it with a small group of students with headsets, it could simulate the environment on the day of the test.

4. Mirror Talk

I haven’t tried Mirror Talk with my students, so I tried it on my own by logging in with my school’s Gmail address. It looks like it is an AI avatar that generates prompts for students to answer and gives a specific amount of time to respond. It is more of a reflection tool and gives short and detailed feedback to students about the way they responded to the prompts. I would try it with higher-level multilingual learners and with middle or high school students. Check if your school has Mirror Talk available to use with your students. 

Preparing students for the WIDA ACCESS speaking section doesn’t have to be daunting. These four tools offer fun, accessible, and effective ways for multilingual learners to build their speaking confidence and skills. By integrating these resources into your classroom routine, you can create an environment where students feel empowered to express themselves—and succeed on test day!

What tools or strategies have worked for your students? Share your thoughts in the comments!

I hope these tips and tricks are helpful!

Listen to the podcast episode on WIDA ACCESS tips