Essay : What are the potential effects of home language on the development of English and classroom learning?

There is research supporting the theory that students who are literate in their home language are more likely to be literate in their second or subsequent language. Thinking of this, what are the potential effects of home language on the development of English and classroom learning?

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Topic 6 Discussion Question 2

Statistics indicate that the school going population has a large number of English Language Learners who speak a Language other than English at home. Being the fastest growing group in the US, one wonders the influence their local languages continues to have on their desire to progress in English Language as well as general learning (Fortanet-Gómez, 2013). This thought will form the basis of this essay.

Firstl, if the home language is strategically used, it aids in acquisition of English Language. The National Panel on Literacy on Language Minority Children argues that skills like reading are better acquired first in local language and hence easily translated in English. Use of home language for student to student interaction is very useful especially in early levels of learning as it enhances co-existence, builds self-esteem and also acts as a channel through which words which are similar in-home language and English can be grasped faster. Grasping of instructions in home Language is also easy and such meanings can…