A person’s personal history of language, which includes their linguistic experiences, exposure to different languages and language learning background, can significantly impact their present language abilities, including how they speak and comprehend reading. Here are some ways in which personal language history influences the present:
Native Language Influence: The first language or languages a person is exposed to during early childhood, often referred to as their native language(s), forms the foundation of their language abilities. The structures, vocabulary and speech patterns of the native language can influence how they learn and use other languages later in life.
Language Transfer: Language transfer occurs when features of one language influence the learning and usage of another language. For example, if a person’s native language has different word order or grammar rules than the language they are currently learning, they may unconsciously transfer those structures, leading to errors in speech and writing.
Accent and Pronunciation: A person’s accent and pronunciation can be influenced by their native language and any other languages they have been exposed to. Pronunciation patterns from the native language might carry over to other languages, affecting how they are perceived by others and potentially impacting communication.
Comprehension Strategies: Language experiences shape how individuals approach reading comprehension. Those who have been exposed to rich and diverse linguistic materials from an early age may develop stronger comprehension strategies and a deeper understanding of texts.
Bilingualism and Multilingualism: People who have grown up in bilingual or multilingual environments may have enhanced language abilities. They may be more adept at switching between languages and understanding different cultural nuances present in each language.
Vocabulary and Idiomatic Expressions: Exposure to different languages and cultures can broaden a person’s vocabulary and understanding of idiomatic expressions. This enables them to appreciate and use language in a more nuanced and culturally sensitive manner.
Cultural Awareness: Personal language history often exposes individuals to different cultures, fostering cultural awareness and empathy. This awareness can impact how they communicate and interpret messages across cultures.
Language Learning Strategies: Individuals who have learned multiple languages might have developed effective language learning strategies that can help them pick up new languages more efficiently in the present.
Cognitive Benefits: A diverse language background can have cognitive benefits, such as improved memory, problem-solving skills and creativity. These cognitive advantages can positively impact language use and comprehension.
Language Identity: Personal language history is intertwined with a person’s identity, as language is a key aspect of cultural and individual self-expression. Language choices and preferences are often influenced by one's linguistic background and experiences.
Personal language history plays a significant role in shaping a person’s present language abilities. From accent and vocabulary to comprehension strategies and cultural awareness, language experiences leave a lasting impact on how individuals speak, read and understand the languages they encounter throughout their lives.
The core reading strategies that underpin the entirety of the CARS & STARS Online digital reading comprehension program form an underlying instructional framework that recurs throughout every level and provides consistency of understanding and instruction for students and teachers alike.
The twelve reading strategies progress from simpler, lower-order thinking skills such as Finding the Main Idea and Recalling Facts and Details to more complex, higher-order concepts such as Identifying Author’s Purpose and Summarising. Initial questions determine students’ mastery of the text at a literal level, while later questions build on this understanding to get to the heart of their conceptual understanding. In this way, in every reading passage across every reading level, students are being asked to perform the same essential tasks – with their difficulty and complexity increasing as the student progresses through the reading levels.
If you are interested in learning more about the CARS & STARS Online subscriptions and how they can help children to achieve better results, then sign up for a free trial to be an integral part of your child’s reading success.
