Why is it important for teachers to know about linguistic and literacy development
This is the first blog post in our new series on Language of Instruction. In this post, we’ll explore why language of instruction is important and highlight some useful resources from USAID that can help guide policy, program development, and implementation around language issues. Show
Developing strong reading skills is essential to children’s academic success and later life outcomes. Learning to read in a language that they use and understand—whether it’s spoken or sign language—is one of the most critical factors in determining whether children develop the strong literacy skills that are foundational for all later learning. Even the most carefully designed reading lessons won’t help children learn to read if they can’t understand the language their teacher uses in the classroom. This is why language of instruction policies and practices are critical to learning and improving children’s reading outcomes—and why we’re sharing two useful resources for addressing language issues in literacy programs and policies: USAID’s Reading MATTERS Conceptual Framework and the new Handbook on Language of Instruction issues in Reading Programs, which was developed by USAID and the Global Reading Network and provides a summary of the latest research and best practices on issues of language of instruction. The Handbook on Language of Instruction Issues in Reading ProgramsRead Now Analyzing Reading and Literacy Policies Across the Education System 1. Mentors 2. Administrators 3. Teachers 4. Texts 5. Extra Practice 6. Regular Assessment 7. Standards Each component of the Reading MATTERS Conceptual Framework assumes that students are taught to read in a language they use and understand and that the system incorporates universal design for learning principles to promote learning among all students. Why Language of Instruction Matters In comparison, instruction in a first language can yield significant benefits both at the individual and systemic levels in the early grades which include:
Implementing effective instruction in languages students use and understand requires careful consideration of contextual factors as well as the engagement of a variety of stakeholders to ensure language is addressed and incorporated in curriculum, teacher placement and professional development, and multiple other areas of the education system and teaching and learning process. It requires clear policies, standards, benchmarks, and practices from the national level to the classroom level to ensure students receive the instruction they need to become strong readers. Often, an important first step in designing and implementing effective language of instruction policies is the use of mapping exercises that can provide important data and insights for implementing policies effectively and influencing programmatic decision making. Given the linguistic diversity in many countries, language mapping exercises can help identify which languages children use at home (including spoken and sign languages) and determine which language(s) should be used for instruction within a school community or geographic area. Language mapping can also help inform teacher placement. By understanding the languages used in schools and those that teachers speak, policies and practices can be adjusted to promote “teacher-student language match”: Teachers should be placed in schools and classrooms where they speak the same language as the students. Additionally, language mapping can help identify gaps in available teaching and learning materials for certain languages and prioritize development of materials for languages that have limited resources available. The handbook outlines useful mapping activities and examples from reading programs to help guide stakeholders in designing, conducting, and analyzing findings from a mapping exercise. Language of Instruction USAID Country ProfilesExplore Collection Guidance for Stakeholders Aligned with the Reading MATTERS Conceptual Framework, the GRN handbook provides more in-depth guidance to international education practitioners engaged in designing, implementing, and/or expanding reading programs. It prompts you to carefully consider how central the role of language is in your programming. Through extensive activities, resources, and examples integrated into the handbook, you can develop a solid understanding of why language is critical to learning and literacy, the components of effective reading and language instruction and assessment, and how to plan for language use in reading programs. Once all the elements of the education system are addressed, providing children with instruction in a language they use and understand has the potential to significantly improve student reading outcomes and help students develop the literacy skills they need to be successful in school and life. In our next blog post in this Language of Instruction series, we’ll explore how to support teachers in providing effective reading and language instruction. Explore the Reading and Literacy Online ModuleAccess Now Why is it important for teachers to know about linguistic?Linguistics is the study of languages, and as such, is of great importance to language teachers. Linguistics helps teachers convey the origins of words and languages, their historical applications, and their modern day relevance.
Why is it important for you to know the language and literacy development of a child?Literacy development is a vital part of your child's overall development. It's the foundation for doing well at school, socialising with others, problem-solving, making decisions, developing independence, managing money and working.
Why is it important to teach language and literacy in the classroom?Teaching literacy to students means that they are given the ability to communicate clearly and effectively and form the foundation of modern life. Students that can't read effectively fail to grasp important concepts, score poorly on tests and ultimately, fail to meet educational milestones.
Why linguistic development is important?Language development is an important part of child development. It supports your child's ability to communicate. It also supports your child's ability to: express and understand feelings.
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