Rosetta Stone Foundations developed a software to improve English learners’ outcomes through individualized support and practice. The software, called Rosetta Stone Foundations English (RS), is a self-paced tool to be used as supplemental material to regular instruction in class. Its primary focus is on oral language skills by including speaking and listening practice. Students receive feedback on speaking accuracy as well as on writing, reading, and listening activities.

A randomized study evaluated the effects of the program on English learners’ outcomes in grades 6-8. Eight schools with 152 students were randomly assigned to the treatment and control conditions. Students worked with the program for 32 weeks for an average of 90 minutes per week. Student proficiency in language was assessed using the TELL (Test of English Language Learning) diagnostic test that included several measures: Speaking-Listening TELL Composite, Reading-Writing TELL Composite, Reading-Aloud TELL Composite.

• For Speaking-Listening TELL Composite, positive effect was found for RS user, higher the usage, the better the effect.
• For Reading-Writing TELL Composite, no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group.
• For Reading-Aloud TELL Composite, positive effect was found for RS user. Moreover, students who used the software the most achieved a significant improvement compared to the control students (ES = +0.44).

Source (Open Access): Harper, D., Bowles, A. R., Amer, L., Pandža, N. B., & Linck, J. A. (2021). Improving outcomes for English learners through technology: A randomized controlled trial. AERA Open, 7. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584211025528