Bilingual learning can serve as a tool for building literacy, as skills developed in one language can strengthen learning in another, according to Canyons School District specialists.
In a podcast released by the district, teacher specialists Amy Gutierrez and Lesli Morris discussed how multilingualism does not require children to divide their capacity for learning.
Gutierrez, a teacher specialist who grew up in a Spanish-speaking household, stated that literacy skills in English transferred easily to Spanish and vice versa. She noted that this connection has helped her thrive as a learner, teacher, and parent.
Morris explained that foundational literacy building blocks, such as vocabulary, background knowledge, comprehension, and the ability to analyze stories, are not exclusive to English. These abilities can be developed in one language and utilized as a student acquires a second language.
Because of these connections, Morris and Gutierrez encouraged parents to continue speaking, reading, and telling stories in their native language with their children. Morris stated that honoring a student's native language is a way of honoring the student themselves.
Canyons School District's Dual-Language Immersion programs aim to help students become proficient in another language while mastering core academic subjects. Applications for these programs are expected to open soon.
