Why does the elementary-school ELA teacher encourage parents to continue reading with their children in their native language at the start of the school year?

Why does the elementary-school ELA teacher encourage parents to continue reading with their children in their native language at the start of the school year?

• A. Literacy skills in one language can transfer to another.
• B. It helps students memorize words faster.
• C. It guarantees bilingual fluency.
• D. It reduces the need for English instruction.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that literacy skills in one language can transfer to another. When a child reads with a parent in their home language, they build core abilities like decoding strategies, vocabulary, and understanding story structure in a language they already know well. This solid foundation supports learning in English because many of the same reading processes apply across languages—recognizing letters and sounds, grasping what a story is about, and using context to figure out new words. Strong L1 literacy also boosts confidence and engagement, making it easier to approach English texts at school. Memorizing words faster isn’t the primary benefit here; reading in the home language emphasizes meaning, connections, and transferable skills rather than just rote memory. It doesn’t guarantee bilingual fluency, since fluency depends on ongoing practice and use of both languages in varied contexts. And it doesn’t eliminate the need for English instruction; rather, continuing L1 reading complements English learning, supporting overall literacy development.

The main idea is that literacy skills in one language can transfer to another. When a child reads with a parent in their home language, they build core abilities like decoding strategies, vocabulary, and understanding story structure in a language they already know well. This solid foundation supports learning in English because many of the same reading processes apply across languages—recognizing letters and sounds, grasping what a story is about, and using context to figure out new words. Strong L1 literacy also boosts confidence and engagement, making it easier to approach English texts at school.

Memorizing words faster isn’t the primary benefit here; reading in the home language emphasizes meaning, connections, and transferable skills rather than just rote memory. It doesn’t guarantee bilingual fluency, since fluency depends on ongoing practice and use of both languages in varied contexts. And it doesn’t eliminate the need for English instruction; rather, continuing L1 reading complements English learning, supporting overall literacy development.