Transition in Bilingual Reading

Transition in Bilingual Reading

What the Research Says about Cross-linguistic Transfer
•There is a positive transfer between L1 and L2 in several areas: phonemic awareness; reading phonics and word recognition strategies; & use of cognates.

What the Research Says about Language Contrasts

•Some reading strategies are common to both languages, while others are specific to the phonetic and graphic systems of L1 or L2. Explicit instruction in these contrasts is helpful.

What the Research Says about Bilingual Readers
•Their biggest obstacle is lack of vocabulary in L2.
•Background knowledge for specific texts is essential to comprehension
•They utilize translation & familiarity with cognates



Transition Not an event, but a PROCESS
•Will occur at different points of language & literacy development for different students
•Must be supported & monitored
•It’s never too late but it may be too soon!

Points of Transition
•Mark a shift in the formal academic expectations placed on LEP students
•Represent a shift in the relationship of the two languages to each other

Point of Transition #1 Literacy Instruction

•When students who have been receiving formal literacy and content instruction in L1 begin formal English reading & content area instruction in L2.

Point of Transition #2 Re-designation

•The point in a program when students begin to receive all of their instruction in English, without second language support.

The Transition Phase
•Assessment of primary language skills in reading, writing & content areas
•English language assessment
•Grouping & placement criteria
•Curriculum planning

Teaching Skills for Effective Transition
•Knowledge of linguistic & cultural factors in L2 instruction, especially reading & writing
•Wise use of language assessment & achievement test data
•ELD & SDAIE methods

Transition Criteria
•Reading skills at grade level in Spanish with well-established phonics skills & comprehension
•English LAS level 3 or intermediate fluency
•English reading readiness skills & phonemic awareness


A Transition Checklist Spanish Reading

•Phonemic awareness & phonics: vowels, consonants, blends, diphthongs
•Structural analysis
•Word recognition
•Comprehension skills
•Writing skills
•Overall reading fluency

A Transition Checklist English Language Skills
•Language usage & fluency
•Phonemic awareness
•Vocabulary & grammar
•English reading potential as measured by listening comprehension of reading text

Source: http://coe.sdsu.edu/people/jmora/TransitionMMdl/Default.htm