learning to read in two languages.
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learning to read in two languages.
Hi I wonder if anyone could give me some advice. My daughter is 4 and is just starting to learn to read and write in Spanish. Our first language is English, which I have also started to teach her at home. Do you think that this is too confusing, should I hold off on the English until she gets to grips with the Spanish. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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woodcutter
- Posts: 1303
- Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2004 6:14 am
- Location: London
generalizations
You have to be careful when you make generalizations like that. \
Generally, the reason why bilingual education is thought to be good, at least for Spanish speaking children in the US, is that they learn to "crack the code" in their native language. Since the actual skill of reading requires some major cognitive gymnastics for a 5-year-old. In my understanding, the rationale behind bilingual education is to separate the steps: first learn the task of reading in the language that is easiest to you, before you go on to transfer what you know about reading to a language you are less familiar with.
We can't really give you great advice until we have more information, such as: where do you live? and does your child favor one language or is she equally comfortable in both?
In addition, I have had the experience working with bilingual children with learning disabilities this year and I would add the caution that in some cases, teaching reading in two languages at the same time truly is confusing. If you see that happening, I would back off a little.
Generally, the reason why bilingual education is thought to be good, at least for Spanish speaking children in the US, is that they learn to "crack the code" in their native language. Since the actual skill of reading requires some major cognitive gymnastics for a 5-year-old. In my understanding, the rationale behind bilingual education is to separate the steps: first learn the task of reading in the language that is easiest to you, before you go on to transfer what you know about reading to a language you are less familiar with.
We can't really give you great advice until we have more information, such as: where do you live? and does your child favor one language or is she equally comfortable in both?
In addition, I have had the experience working with bilingual children with learning disabilities this year and I would add the caution that in some cases, teaching reading in two languages at the same time truly is confusing. If you see that happening, I would back off a little.
Thanks
Hi, thanks for replying. We live in Spain and speak English at home. My daughter is in a Spanish infant school, so she has to learn to read in Spanish. She is obviously more at ease with l1, she is surrounded by Spanish but is reluctant to speak Spanish although she understands most of what is said to her. She is able to differentiate between the two languges. Any advice would be most welcome.
in that case
Since your daughter's native language is English, it will probably help her to learn to read in English before or at the same time as she learns Spanish.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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DebTofanoschiff
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:54 am
I would tend to agree with Tara! If her first language is English teach her that first!
She is capable of learning both at the same time. Remember that the mouth muscles are differnt for Spanish than for English because English is a Germanic Language as opposed to a Romance Language. English also have many silent letters that if she learned Spanish first may make it more difficult to learn English!
She is capable of learning both at the same time. Remember that the mouth muscles are differnt for Spanish than for English because English is a Germanic Language as opposed to a Romance Language. English also have many silent letters that if she learned Spanish first may make it more difficult to learn English!