When English learners develop literacy in their home language, they benefit in more than one language.

Why home-language development is key to developing English language proficiency 

A developing body of research shows that teaching students literacy in their home language helps them develop second-language literacy skills as well. Plus, research also affirms that emergent bilingual students have the capacity to learn more than one language at the same time and that this process does not jeopardize their development of either language.

Istation recently partnered with an urban school district in Texas to explore more on this topic. Results from the study show that teaching students to read in their home language helps significantly improve their English language proficiency.

More on Istation’s Research

The new study investigated the relationship between using Istation’s Spanish literacy curriculum (Istation Lectura) and students’ Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) performance.

The TELPAS assesses English language learners’ skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It divides student performance in these areas into four levels.

The study evaluated second and third grade students who were in the beginner and intermediate categories the previous year. The results show… 

• grade 2 students who used Istation as recommended increased their odds of improving a level on the TELPAS by up to 137%; and
• grade 3 students who used Istation as recommended increased their odds of improving a level on the TELPAS by up to 125%.

The study also showed that students were much more likely to move up a level if they had more instruction in Spanish and less in English. When using Istation’s Spanish curriculum according to recommended guidelines, students doubled their odds of improving by one composite score level on the TELPAS.

Accelerate Literacy Gains with Istation

Using Istation’s instructional literacy programs helps English learners achieve literacy with high-quality instruction that is fun, personalized, and engaging. Plus, educators get one seamless, intuitive platform to assess students, monitor their progress, and provide purposeful interventions. Istation’s new biliteracy reports give teachers a side-by-side view of how students are performing in both languages.

Istation supports second-language acquisition with…

• explicit instruction through individualized, scaffolded, and differentiated learning paths;
• comprehensible visuals and other stimuli in a game-like platform;
• contextual vocabulary practice;
• listening, speaking, and reading skills practice through oral reading fluency; and
• writing skills development that prepares students for computer-based assessments.

For more information on helping educators deliver more effective instruction and intervention for emergent bilingual students, watch our webinar “Achieving Literacy Goals: Empowering Educators to Support Emergent Bilinguals.”