What is an effective strategy for promoting biliteracy in instruction?

Highlighting the similarities between Spanish and English is an effective strategy for promoting biliteracy in instruction because it fosters connections between the two languages, making it easier for learners to transfer skills and knowledge from one to the other. By emphasizing commonalities, such as cognates, grammatical structures, or phonetic patterns, educators can help students leverage their existing knowledge in one language to enhance their understanding and proficiency in the other. This approach not only builds confidence among students but also creates a more cohesive learning experience, allowing them to see the value in both languages and reinforcing their desire to become biliterate.

In this context, focusing solely on differences between languages can create barriers for learners as it may lead to an overemphasis on challenges instead of strengths. Utilizing only English may limit students' exposure to the richness of both languages and hinder their overall development in biliteracy. Likewise, neglecting phonological awareness overlooks a critical aspect of language learning that supports reading and writing skills in both languages.