Q2
How do MTB MLE students learn to read and write their own language and one or more additional languages in school?
All children begin school with knowledge and skills that they have learned from parents and others in their home and community. Among the skills they bring to school is their ability to communicate and learn in their MT. Their language is an essential resource for learning other languages and for learning math, science and other school subjects. Because they already know their MT, it is the best language for them to use in learning to read and write. When students gain confidence in reading and writing their MT and achieve a basic level of oral fluency in the official school language, they are ready to begin reading and writing that language.
The diagram below displays the MTB MLE process for helping students gain fluency and confidence in speaking, reading and writing their MT, then the official school language and then other languages as required in the curriculum. As you read the diagram, starting at the bottom and moving towards the top, you will see that each step in the learning process becomes the foundation for the next step.
They learn additional languages as required in the curriculum. Students continue developing oral and written fluency in both languages. Teachers use the MT to support the school language for instruction.
MTB MLE RESOURCE KIT Including the Excluded: Promoting Multilingual Education
They begin reading and writing the official school language. They continue developing oral fluency in the official school language. Students continue developing oral and written fluency in the MT. Teachers use the MT and the official school language for instruction.
They begin learning the official school language. They learn to read and write in the MT. Students develop fluency in the MT and expand their school vocabulary. Teachers use only the MT for instruction.
Students expand their MT vocabulary and develop confidence in using the MT in school.
Teachers use only the MT for instruction.
2 Adapted from S. Malone, 2010.
Step-by-step process for teaching languages as subjects and using them for instruction throughout primary school 2
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