In multilingual parenting, biliteracy is undeniably one of the most prominent topics we discuss during our consultations. Juggling reading and writing in two and/or more languages can often appear as an imposing mountain to many parents and caregivers. Their aspirations are clear – they want their child to become literate in their home language(s). Yet, they have no idea where to start and how to go about it, which leaves them feeling overwhelmed and often even defeated. To make matters worse, the prevailing belief that one language will potentially interfere with the other(s), maybe hindering the development of their child’s literacy in the school language lingers in the background. It is no wonder that some parents who come to us are desperate. Are these concerns valid? Absolutely. Biliteracy is a complex journey, laden with many variables and one needs to understand what factors to consider to achieve the desired goals.
Is biliteracy important? Without a doubt. It goes well beyond being a mere skill; it’s a gateway to cultural richness and a connection to one’s heritage. Does your child need to be biliterate in order to be considered bilingual? Absolutely not. But the journey sure is worth it! Teaching your child to read in your home language, in addition to the school language, will provide them with a toolkit for navigating the diverse linguistic landscapes they’ll encounter throughout life. Biliteracy isn’t a hindrance or a burden; it’s a catalyst for success!
On this International Literacy Day, as we celebrate the vital importance of literacy, I want to take the opportunity and talk about biliteracy and the significance of literacy in the home language for sustaining that language. To all the sceptics and doubters, let me make one thing clear – biliteracy is a gateway to a world of knowledge, culture and understanding. And more importantly – it is a gateway to preservation. The preservation of language, of identity and of heritage.
No doubt, the biliteracy journey is no leisurely stroll through the park, but I urge you to consider this: it is a road worth not just travelling but fully embracing.
So, what is biliteracy? It is simply the ability to be able to read and write in more than one language. It is so much more than “just” a practical skill that, for example, provides access to more career opportunities. It opens doors to diverse perspectives, literature and culture. And here’s the crux of it: when your child becomes literate in your home language, they’re not just learning a skill; they’re inheriting a legacy. Why does this matter so much? Well, if your child is literate in your home language, they stand a significantly better chance of not losing that language down the road, especially when they live in a community where the language isn’t widely spoken or practiced.
In fact, literacy doesn’t begin when a child starts learning to decode words. No, it begins much earlier – as soon as they start to listen to lullabies and engage in heart-warming exchanges with parents and caregivers. Those early interactions, those giggles and bedtime stories, they help your child learn about the intricacies of your home language and lay the groundwork for the world of written words.
But wait, there’s more to this story. On the journey to biliteracy, vocabulary development plays an instrumental role. You see, if a child has limited exposure to a language, becoming literate in that language is like a turbocharger for their vocabulary. And with an enriched vocabulary, their language skills soar.
And now the million-dollar question: When is the right time to start teaching your child how to read in your home language? As with everything child-related, what works for one child might not work for another and the road to biliteracy is no exception. Every child is different and we need to consider their personality, interests, hobbies as well as the languages in question, your family’s current situation and future plans. Some children may display an eagerness to embark on their reading adventure in the home language at an early age, while others may prefer a later start. Here’s the secret: there’s no golden rule that simultaneous biliteracy (learning to read in two or more languages at once) is superior to sequential biliteracy (tackling one after the other). It all depends on your child’s pace and their unique circumstances.
Now, picture this scenario: your child is schooled in a different language, let’s say English, but you would love them to start learning to read in your home language, Italian. Should you dive into home-language literacy as early as possible? Well, here’s the scoop: unless there’s a pressing reason, like an imminent need, it’s often better to wait. Why? Because there’s no need to add extra work to your child’s plate when it’s not necessary. Plus, it can make their journey into school literacy much smoother. Once they’re comfortable reading in the school language, hopping into home-language literacy usually isn’t as challenging. Similar alphabets? Even easier. Literacy skills are transferrable; once they’ve mastered them in one language, others become more accessible.
Let me give you an example. My son attends a Dutch school and, after he learned how to read in Dutch, learning to read in English (his stronger home language) was easy. However, diving into Bulgarian (his weaker home language) was a bit trickier, owing to the different alphabet (Cyrillic) and a smaller vocabulary in that language. The latter often leaves him massively frustrated, but I will not expand on the frustration part now, but rather – dedicate a separate post on it, because well-being is also a very important aspect of becoming biliterate.
Now that we’ve talked about the “when”, let’s tackle the “how” of introducing home-language literacy? Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Create a language-rich environment in your home – it fosters not only language development, but also literacy.
- Make sure to have a lot of books that are easily accessible and inviting.
- Read aloud – I have talked about the benefits of reading aloud for developing literacy as it nurtures the love for reading, helps expand vocabulary and provides access to a large variety of literature.
- Encourage your child to interact with the story and show them how spoken and written language are connected.
- Teach them how to associate letters with their corresponding sounds in your home language.
- And don’t forget to set an example – demonstrate your own love for reading in the home language and share your enthusiasm. Children often (or almost always) do as we do rather than as we say, so seeing you read in your home language can be a huge motivator.
Teaching your child to read in the home language is not just a part of their educational journey; it’s a profound cultural and familial adventure. Now, let’s be honest, this path is rarely a straight, well-paved one. But guess what? The view at the end is absolutely breathtaking! Here’s a golden rule for you: no pressure, just patience. Nurture their curiosity, support their interests and watch their love for reading blossom. And a little secret – once a child is comfortable reading in one language, the skills often hop, skip and jump to the next. How fast this happens depends on some things, like how similar the languages are and how motivated your child is. And remember to enjoy the ride!
What has your child’s biliteracy journey been like? We’d love to hear your stories, experiences and insights. Your shared wisdom can inspire and support other families on their path to biliteracy!
Image by @artempodrez at pexels.com
