An Early Look into Leveraging the Home Language for Biliteracy In the LESLLA Context

Abstract

Situated in a pilot project exploring biliteracy teaching and learning with adult L2 emergent literacy learners, this practitioner paper describes what Renuka’s Nepali home language literacy lessons looked like in an early phase of the pilot. For some time, SLA has recognized the value of strategic L1 use in target language learning, and LESLLA researchers have identified a biliteracy pedagogical approach as an important area to for future research. In this micro-context, this paper considers the potential for a biliteracy approach to promote crosslinguistic transfer (particularly metalinguistic skills) and to support teacher awareness of learners’ funds of knowledge. It further explores the promise of an in-depth intake process increased teacher observational skills to support practitioner-learner conversation about literacy and learning. By sharing our work, authors hope to reignite discussion around the potential of a biliteracy approach with LESLLA learners.