Being Bilingual and Biliterate
By Branksome Hall Asia LIbrary Team
The importance of reading cannot be emphasized enough. Many research studies show that reading to young children every day enhances their vocabulary and increases their understanding of the world around them. Our students at Branksome Hall Asia have many advantages in the way they can connect with others through language to become bilerate as well as bilingual.
Biliteracy can be defined as the ability to read and write in two or more languages. Studies show that it is possible to be bilingual but not biliterate so it is essential that students learn spelling, grammar and reading in both their languages. Students who learn to read in both languages develop stronger literacy gains because reading is grounded in a shared linguistic foundation and many reading skills are transferable. Further, bilingual students are able to use certain pre-reading skills faster and are shown to have stronger multitasking skills, are more creative and have access to greater working memory.
Bilingual students are able to develop these stronger biliteracy skills if they can learn to read in both languages they speak. To support this aim, Branksome Hall Asia library provides an extensive collection in Korean and Chinese languages and offers weekly or bi-weekly scheduled library sessions for all Junior School language classes from JK to Grade 5. Middle/Senior School language teachers are also welcome to bring in their classes.
To further promote the Korean language we celebrated Hangul Day on 7th and 8th of October and are planning a Language and Literature celebration early next year.
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