How do Children Learn to Read and Write in a Second Language
"The process of learning to decode texts in French is not very different from learning to read in English or any other Western language. Children must first understand how texts "work": which way is up, and where text begins and ends. They must also understand that symbols and words can represent concepts and that a message, once written, does not change.
Once children begin school, they learn that letters represent sounds and that different combinations of letters are used to represent all the words they hear. When studying French, students learn that the sounds associated with some letters differ from those used in English, while many stay the same. With guidance, students also notice that the structures of sentences differ somewhat between French and English. Comparing languages also reveals each language’s quirks and reinforces prior knowledge and skills. Although students may mix up these sounds and structures at first, they quickly learn to “code switch” between French and English.
One of the most important factors affecting reading and writing in a second language – including French – is oral vocabulary. Students who quickly and accurately decode (or sound out) words may not understand what they are reading because they do not know what those words mean. Students must spend as much time as possible hearing, viewing, and speaking in French so that their vocabulary grows to levels allowing them to understand and enjoy the texts they are tackling. Your child’s teacher, school, and division may therefore delay formal reading instruction in order to focus on oral vocabulary acquisition.
Rest assured that this vocabulary work – in French and in English – better prepares your child for learning to read successfully. Any delays in formal reading instruction are typically made up by the end of Grade 4, at which time students should be literate in not one, but TWO languages."
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