CABE2021

There is a national movement that purports to improve the teaching of beginning literacy through the utilization of methods commonly referred to as the Science of Reading. Proponents of these methods claim that the Science of Reading is equally beneficial for emerging bilingual learners as they are for monolingual English Learners. This presentation will first discuss how teaching initial literacy to emerging bilingual learners is different than teaching monolingual English Learners whether children are in bilingual/dual language or English only programs of instruction. Next, in the best of situations, teaching initial literacy to emerging bilingual learners involves developing biliteracy. The second part of this presentation will discuss considerations for developing initial literacy when the development of biliteracy is an option. Finally, the presentation will discuss how the Science of Teaching methods may be incorporated into effective initial reading instruction for emerging bilingual learners in bilingual/dual language and English only approaches.