Enhancing non-English speaking preschoolers' emergent literacy skills

Abstract

This article considers a number of issues associated with the teaching of English to preschoolers from non-English speaking backgrounds. It proposes that these children's first language should be incorporated in the development of early literacy and associated resource materials, along with parental involvement in the emergent literacy process. More particularly, the article considers theoretical and practical issues involved in the design and use of picture books to facilitate the acquisition of English by preschool children with limited English proficiency. The children in the study were found to value the books highly and spent more time with these resources than with other books. The findings were that the children were stimulated to produce more complex language when the books were being read and were highly motivated to read them with their peers and parents.