Learning another language provides a practical way to improve literacy, as it actively strengthens the language skills students use daily. Explore the links to literacy and how Kōtui Ako VLN can support you with learning languages.

Research shows that second language learning improves literacy in the following ways:

Understanding English Better:

• When students learn another language, they compare it to English. This helps them see how sentences are put together and understand grammar rules more clearly.

Skills That Transfer:

• Learning to figure out words and understand meaning in a new language helps them do the same thing in English.

Thinking About Language:

• Learning a second language makes students think more about how language works in general, which helps them understand English better.

Sharper Thinking:

• Learning a new language is like a brain workout. It improves problem-solving skills, which also helps with reading and writing in English.

Connecting the Dots:

• Students start to see how all languages are connected, which makes them better at learning both English and the new language.

Seeing the Big Picture:

• Learning a second language shows students that language is about more than just words; it's also about culture and different ways of thinking.

Flexible Thinking:

• Students learn to play around with language and understand it in different ways, making them more adaptable with English.

Helping All Students:

• For students who struggle with English, a second language can be a fresh start.

• For ESL students, learning a third language can provide valuable comparitive data.

Preparing for the Future:

• In today's global world, knowing more than one language is a huge advantage.

Proof in the Results:

• Studies show that students who speak more than one language often do better in English tests.

What This Means for Your Teaching:

• Encourage students to explore new languages. It can benefit their overall literacy skills.

• Highlight the connections between English and other languages.

• Recognize that multilingualism is a strength.

Learning a second language isn't just an extra; it's a valuable tool for improving literacy and preparing students for success.

Kōtui Ako VLN offers a wide range of second language learning pathways from Primary through to Secondary NCEA levels. This includes our official languages of Aotearoa New Zealand, Te reo Māori and NZSL.

*5 week taster classes available

Our expert teachers are available to work with you and your learners. We accept registrations for whole class participation at any time during the school year. If you have just a few students you can join a mixed school class.

Register to participate, or contact rachel.whalley@kotuiako.school.nz if you have any questions.

Sources:

Linking languages and literacy. Commonwealth of Australia.

Why language learning matters. NAPLAN 2021 (National Assessment Program— Literacy and Numeracy)

Visible thinking in the languages classroom – building deeper understanding and student engagement. NSW Department of Education

via Tui Tuia | Learning Circle with support from Google NotebookLM - research assistant