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The Foundation For Language Literacy
The foundations for language literacy, (meaning proficient reading and writing of a language) requires a firm foundation on the language as it is spoken and as people listen to it.
The following are some required language areas on which to build a foundation for literacy.
A. Vocabulary
The meaning of a language's words and is basic to all aspects of language and communication. Those who know many words or have "good vocabulary skills" are usually the better writers/readers and will do better on tests, especially standardized ones. Increasing a vocabulary in a language is huge in learning the learning. New words are learned best by hearing and using them in daily conversations, too.
Words are easier learned and understood when integrated into interesting communication and lively conversations. Motivation is a large factor too. Look around for fundraisers or program that will reward for learning vocabulary words. Schools usually know of programs like this.
Understanding the historical roots of words helps us learn and remember new words. For example, most of the English words used for science come from Greek and Latin. The "forms" used in Greek and Latin allow them to be hooked together to form the scientific terms we use today. That explains why many of scientific terms end with "-ology". "ology" translates loosely to "the study of." Knowing this fact or observing it in action helps us understand a little better.
B. Spelling and Reading
Words must be read and spelled with sufficient accuracy and speed for mental resources to form for comprehension and expression of a language. When people have a lack of fluency in a language, the quality of reading text and writing the language is reduced.
C. Grammar & Syntax
Communication of complex ideas in a language requires more than words. The use of words in a manner that shows rules are in effect (grammar) allows the expression and understanding of complex ideas and through established, formal education, students learn those rules of speaking and writing. These "rules" form over time and learning these rules over time help build literacy in a language. D. Speech Sounds & Phonics
Phonemes (the sounds of speech) are helpful but it is not enough to achieve proper literacy of a language. Children can read many printed words as whole units (beginning speech for example) but when questions about the individual words themselves, they faultier. One must be able to handle and read unknown words and to accomplish this; the reader must understand that that letters represent the sounds of speech and that they must develop a way to understand that speech sounds are represented by letters (the phonics) of the language.
Students should to be able to read novel type stories by about 10 years of age. When encountering words they have never before they can add these new words to their vocabulary without by themselves without the involvement of an adult.
The best phonic skills form during the first two-three years of a school education. Phonics skills is not a measure of general intelligence, but it does depend on some neurological abilities, including speech & sound awareness and the association of those speech sounds with the letters associated with them. The truth is that some intelligent people find it difficult to read and spell but that means that this very important literacy skill can be improved over time with practice.
E. Expression and Comprehension (Talking & Writing)
Language skills are primarily based on expressive oral language skills (speaking and that must be combined with the ability to associate the sounds with the letters of the language, the spelling, and the grammar rules (syntax sentence syntax and its punctuation), and paragraph organization. These elements for expressing a language can and should be separate and setup for directed, specific practice. A hierarchal sequence of complexity should be followed"
V. Language Comprehension (Listening & Reading)
Comprehension is what reading is all about. If you read it but do not comprehend it then your literacy gain is negligible. Good listening, comprehension, and analysis of grammar rules are required for proper comprehension. When
With good reading and listening comprehension "critical thinking" can occur and when that happens the establishment of literacy in a language is usually assured.
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