A modern American classroom is one where students from various backgrounds are learning to read in English—some as their first language, others as their second or third. The colorful alphabet charts on the walls and decodable books on shelves represent not just letters and sounds, but gateways to new worlds and opportunities.
For parents and educators supporting multilingual learners, understanding how reading science applies to language acquisition can transform frustration into progress. The good news? The principles that help all children learn to read can be especially powerful for those learning English as a new language.
The Science of Reading and Multilingual Learners: More Similarities Than Differences
The science of reading isn’t just for native English speakers—it provides a strong foundation for multilingual learners, too. Research shows that many of the same evidence-based approaches that help all children learn to read are equally effective for those learning English as a second language.
According to the research, the “Big 5” reading components remain essential for all learners:
- Phonemic awareness – The ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words
- Phonics – Understanding the relationship between letters and sounds
- Fluency – Reading with accuracy, appropriate speed, and expression
- Vocabulary – Knowing the meaning of words
- Comprehension – Understanding what is read
For multilingual learners (MLEs), these components don’t change, but how we approach them might need adjustments. Children learning English bring unique strengths to the classroom, including literacy skills and phonological awareness from their home language that can transfer to English.
The science of reading teaches us that acquiring literacy skills isn’t an automatic or natural process—it requires explicit, systematic instruction for all learners. This structured approach becomes even more valuable for students simultaneously learning a new language and learning to read in that language.
What’s particularly exciting is how the science of reading’s focus on explicitly teaching language alongside literacy creates the perfect learning environment for multilingual learners. Instead of treating oral language development and reading as separate subjects, research shows they should be taught together—something that benefits MLEs tremendously.
Beyond the Basics: What Makes Reading Instruction Different for Multilingual Learners
While the core principles remain the same, effective reading instruction for multilingual learners requires some important considerations:
Oral Language Development Takes Center Stage
For second language acquisition, oral language development needs explicit attention alongside reading instruction. Students need to understand the meaning of the words they’re decoding, not just how to pronounce them.
A student might correctly sound out the word “net,” but does he know what a net is? Without building this vocabulary connection, decoding becomes a hollow exercise. Teachers need to create rich language experiences where students can hear, speak, read, and write new words in meaningful contexts.
Cross-Linguistic Connections Create Bridges
Multilingual learners aren’t blank slates—they bring valuable knowledge from their first language. Effective instruction acknowledges and leverages these assets.
Teachers who make explicit connections between languages help students transfer skills. For example, pointing out sounds that exist in both languages or noting differences in letter-sound relationships helps students build on what they already know. This doesn’t require teachers to be fluent in every student’s home language—just knowledgeable about basic linguistic differences and curious about their students’ linguistic backgrounds.
Cultural Context Matters
Reading comprehension depends not just on decoding skills but on background knowledge. Multilingual learners may need additional support in building cultural context for stories and academic concepts that assume specific cultural knowledge.
Teachers who incorporate diverse texts and make space for students to share their own cultural perspectives create more equitable learning environments where all students can see themselves reflected in classroom materials.
Research-Based Strategies That Work for Second Language Acquisition
Effective reading instruction for multilingual learners combines the science of reading with second language acquisition principles. Here are practical, evidence-based approaches teachers and parents can implement:
Explicit Vocabulary Instruction
For multilingual learners, even simple words that native English speakers take for granted may need explanation. Teachers should select 7-8 critical words per unit that are both essential to understanding and useful across multiple contexts.
For example, a word like “helpful” might be taught through engaging situational prompts:
- “How can you be helpful at home?”
- “Who is a helpful person in our school?”
This approach encourages students to use the new vocabulary in different contexts while keeping the learning playful and meaningful.
Simultaneous Development of Language and Literacy Skills
Gone are the days of teaching oral language and reading as completely separate skills. Research indicates that teaching these together is particularly beneficial for multilingual learners.
As students learn to decode the word “ball,” they also learn what a ball is, what it does, and how the word functions in sentences. This integrated approach means less time spent on separate skills and more efficient learning for students developing both English proficiency and reading abilities.
Prioritize Comprehension Alongside Decoding
While phonics instruction is crucial, it must be balanced with meaning-making from the very beginning. For multilingual learners, comprehension strategies need explicit attention, not just after they’ve mastered decoding, but alongside it.
Regular read-alouds expose students to rich language they might not yet be able to decode independently. These experiences build listening comprehension, vocabulary, and background knowledge—all critical components for reading success.
The Role of First Language in Second Language Reading
One of the most powerful tools in a multilingual learner’s toolkit is their first language literacy. When students have strong reading foundations in their home language, many skills transfer to English reading.
Research has consistently shown that teaching students to read in their first language supports their ability to read in English. This is because many reading skills—like phonological awareness, comprehension strategies, and understanding that print carries meaning—transfer across languages.
For parents of multilingual children, this means continuing to read with your child in your home language actually supports, rather than hinders, their English reading development. Encouraging strong literacy in both languages creates cognitive advantages that benefit all aspects of learning.
For schools, this research supports the value of dual-language and bilingual education programs that develop literacy in both languages simultaneously. While implementation varies, the evidence for the benefits of bilingual education is strong.
Create Inclusive Reading Environments That Honor All Languages
The most successful classrooms for multilingual readers incorporate these key elements:
- Teachers who are curious about students’ language backgrounds and make space for all languages in the classroom
- Explicit, systematic instruction in foundational skills, adapted to account for language differences
- Integrated oral language development throughout literacy instruction
- Recognition of students’ cultural and linguistic knowledge as valuable assets
- Opportunities for students to make connections between their home language and English
These classrooms create spaces where multilingual learners can thrive, building on their strengths while developing new skills.
Embrace the Journey: Supporting Your Multilingual Reader
The path to reading proficiency for multilingual learners may follow a different timeline than for monolingual students, and that’s perfectly normal. Each child brings unique strengths and challenges to the learning process.
What matters most is providing consistent, research-based support that honors both the science of reading and the science of second language acquisition. By combining these approaches, we give multilingual learners the tools they need to become confident, successful readers.
Reading Success for Every Child: The Reading.com Approach
At Reading.com, we understand that every child’s reading journey is unique, especially for multilingual learners. Our approach combines the science of reading with support for language development, creating a learning experience that builds on children’s strengths while addressing their specific needs.
Ready to support your multilingual reader with tools that honor both the science of reading and language development? Start your free 7-day trial of the Reading.com app today and discover how we can help your child build strong reading foundations in English while celebrating their linguistic diversity.