Early Literacy for English Language Learners in Other Languages

Early Literacy Resources for ELL Teachers, Parents, and Professionals

Many studies have shown the importance of early literacy education, and the role parents’ participation can play in their child’s literacy gains. SLPs, whether in early intervention or school-age settings, play an essential role in facilitating literacy in the children they serve as well. Literacy skills are critical for the academic success of an English language learner (ELL). 

The purpose of this page is to offer various resources to support early literacy for ELL children. This page has resources for SLPs, the teachers with whom they collaborate, the children and the parents of the children whom the teacher and SLP serve, and other professionals. This page links to:

• Digital and physical early-reader book sources to support early literacy in a variety of languages

• Pages offering activities for ELL parents to use to support literacy

• Pages offering research on early literacy, parent participation for both literate and illiterate caregivers of ELL children

• Resources for teachers of ELL children

• Websites that serve as portals for other internet sources of support for ELL children and literacy

• Local events that support early literacy in languages other than English

• Apps that can be used to support early literacy skills

• Articles in support of strengthening emerging literacy skills in the child’s native language

Key:         

P - Resources to be shared with parents

K - Kid-friendly Resources

S - Resources for Spanish-speaking families

W - Resources for families and speakers of many other languages of the world

Kids Books in Languages Other Than English

Reading with children in their first language (L1) is a critical component to future literacy, as it supports oral language, phonemic awareness, alphabetic knowledge, and print awareness. The following websites offer digital books and books for sale in many different languages and are accessible for parents and teachers, and even the web-savvy kid. SLPs and teachers are encouraged to pass these links on to the parents of their students. For non-native English speakers, these web pages offer invaluable resources, as it is challenging to find books in some languages, especially in rural areas.

• Funding and budget cuts to libraries and schools make it difficult to find children’s books in languages other than English. The International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL) has over 4000 digital children’s books in many world languages. The books are accessible to anyone with access to the Internet. According to the website, the ICDL “is a research project funded primarily by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and Microsoft Research to create a digital library of outstanding children’s books from all over the world” (P, K, S, W).

• Starbright Books is a publisher and seller of children’s books in multiple languages. From the website: “We recognize that to inspire a life-long love of books, it is important for children to begin building that relationship at the earliest possible age. We believe that all children should see themselves in print, and we make a concerted effort to include children of all colors, nationalities, and abilities in our books. In addition to seeing themselves, children should also hear familiar language in the books they choose. In pursuit of that goal, we publish engaging books in twenty languages” (P, K, S, W).

• Oregon.gov has a webpage under Youth Services that links to other web sources for books in languages other than English (P, S, W).

• Me + Mi Publishing, Inc. is a publisher of dual language products in English and Spanish, including board books and storybooks (P, K, S).

• The Cambridge Public Library offers a listing of bilingual Spanish/English picture books (P, K, S).

Resources and Guidance for Parents

The following web pages offer free and low-cost guides and activities for parents to use to support literacy in L1, including activities that can easily be modified by SLPs and other professionals for use by parents who are illiterate or semi-literate.

• Delta Publishing offers books and videos in English and Spanish that help parents learn how to read with their children (P, S).

• Scholastic Books sponsor Lee y serás. It provides literacy research, activities, and books in English and Spanish. The interactive activities and parent guides in English and Spanish can be used by teachers, community leaders, and parents. For parents who are not literate, the pedagogical underpinnings of literacy stimulating activities can be explained so that they, too, can use this site with their children or use ideas from the site. Such activities include discussing photographs or picture books, sharing songs in Spanish, and providing a language-rich environment (P, K, S).

• The National Center for Learning Disabilities, Getting Ready to Read “is designed to support educators, parents, and young children in developing early literacy skills in the years before kindergarten. Intended for use with all children, the resources and information provided on this site promote skill-building, communication between adults, and ways to address concerns.” Links to webinars for parents and professionals, activities to promote literacy, tips for parents, and links to other informative websites can be found on this website (P). Get Ready to Read offers resources in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Korean.

• Zero to Three provides a resource for songs, rhymes, and fingerplays in Spanish and English (PDF) that parents and teachers can use at home and at school to promote early literacy skills.

Resources and Guidance for Teachers

Instead of special training, these websites offer resources and strategies for teachers of ELL children. Additionally, some of these websites offer information that professionals can share with parents.

• A bilingual site for families and educators of English language learners, Colorín Colorado offers various resources, including tips and activities for parents and webinars for educators (P, S).      

• The National Center for Learning Disabilities, Getting Ready to Read “is designed to support educators, parents, and young children in developing early literacy skills in the years before kindergarten. Intended for use with all children, the resources and information provided on this site promote skill-building, communication between adults, and ways to address concerns.” Links to webinars for parents and professionals, activities to promote literacy, tips for parents, and links to other informative websites can be found on this website (P). Get Ready to Read offers resources in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Korean.

General Information on Early Literacy and ELL Children

For parents, teachers, and other professionals looking for research on literacy, the following web pages offer general information and evidence to support the strategies offered.

• Reading Rockets is a website for teachers, parents, librarians, and other professionals. It provides a variety of resources for literacy for all types of learners and all languages. Resources include a page for teachers that describes research to support reading to ELL children and a page specific to literacy and ELL children in the K-5 classroom (P, K, S, W).

• Oregon.gov has a webpage under Youth Services that supported a now-defunct literacy project, Reading for Healthy Families. This page offers information on many aspects of early literacy for all languages (P, S, W).

• The Multnomah County Library web page “Early literacy: birth to six” offers general information on the importance of parent participation (P).

• Articles supporting literacy instruction in the native language can be found at:

  1. Fostering Literacy Development in English Language Learners by Karen Ford (2005).

  2. Addressing Emergent Literacy Skills in English-Language Learners by Maria Adelaida Restrepo & Mary Towle-Harmon (2008).

• These articles may be of interest to teachers, parents, administrators, and SLPs. They discuss the importance of addressing the following skills in the child’s native language, which are predictors of later reading success:

1. Print knowledge.

2. Phonological awareness.

3. Writing (name writing, invented spelling).

4. Oral language (grammar, vocabulary, narrative).

Early Literacy with Illiterate and Semi-illiterate Parents

Roughly one in five American adults is considered functionally illiterate. The number of parents of ELL children who cannot read or write may represent an even more significant number. The SLP needs to be aware that parent participation may take many forms and may not always include reading to or with children. With the guidance of a sensitive SLP or teacher, parents can be supported and encouraged to facilitate literacy without reading.

Some strategies are likely already being practiced by parents who engage in oral storytelling, share songs, describe photographs, and picture books or books with prominent storylines to help facilitate emergent literacy. Links to resources are provided here to guide the SLP and partner educators in facilitating emerging literacy in children with participation from illiterate parents.

• “Guiding Illiterate Parents in Assisting Their Children in Emergent Literacy” by Pamela J. Farris & Mary Denner. This is a short article rich with guidance for coaching illiterate parents on promoting literacy with their ELL children. The article broaches a sensitive topic with real-world suggestions for approaching parents and maintaining a respectful and professional relationship. 

• A to Z is a teacher resource website. This discussion forum offers a variety of suggestions and links to activities for parents who cannot read. Professionals will find many ideas to bring to families where caregiver’s illiteracy is a potential barrier to children’s literacy.

Clearinghouse Resources for Early ELL Readers in a Variety of Languages

Many websites like multicast provide links to other web resources to support literacy for ELL children. The following websites are hosted by non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting early literacy for ELL children.

• Reading Rockets is a site dedicated to “Teaching kids to read and helping those who struggle” and includes a page for ELL resources (P, S, W).

• This is a link to Burbank, Illinois’ School District website and their amazingly comprehensive list of Helpful ESL Websites (P, S, W).

Early Literacy Events in Languages Other Than English

Local libraries often offer storytimes for toddlers and preschoolers in languages other than English. In Portland, OR, the Multnomah County Libraries offer storytimes in Spanish, Mandar, Vietnamese, and Cantonese. Washington County Libraries also offer an “hora de cuentos” and world languages storytimes in languages such as Farsi and Mandarin. Check the local library website for dates and times for these early literacy opportunities.

Early Literacy Apps in Languages Other Than English

• Pictello is an app that can be used to create talking stories. SLPs, teachers, or parents can work with students to create their own books in their native language using pictures or drawings.  

• Mommy Maestra reviews Spanish apps that are relevant to literacy, including vocabulary building, storytelling, and eBooks:

1. 1. NoyoSpanish $7.99- This is an excellent app for Spanish learners and Spanish-dominant children. It features over 200 scenes, with over 1800 vocabulary words in 8 targeted units. The illustrations are fantastic and engaging. Visit their website for more information.

   2. Kandoobi Animales $2.99- A full-immersion Spanish app that features over 100 domestic and wild animals. There are four components to it: Letras, A colorear, Raya y rellena, and Igual a la silueta. We loved this app. Click on the link to read a full review.

   3. Ana Lomba’s Spanish for Kids apps FREE- Lomba’s fun and interactive apps focus on storytelling to teach language. Her immersion classic storybooks are available for iPad. The first app, The Little Red Hen/La gallina roja, is FREE, so try it out. Click on the link for a thorough review from Fun Educational Apps.

   4. Little Pim $2.99- This app teaches basic vocabulary about eating and drinking, playing and sharing, sleeping, and waking. It includes three interactive games, and each game includes three levels of play, covering basic nouns (level one), verbs (level two), and short phrases (level three).

   5. eBooks for iPad by Maroe Susti $.99 to $1.99- These are beautifully illustrated and written books with full text in both English and Spanish. Read a review and interview with the author/illustrator on the LBBC.

Student Contributors: Lymann Goff & Tricia Thomas, Winter 2013; Sara Bernard, Spring 2014