Cross‑Language Phonology in Dual Language Programs: Understanding Early Literacy Through Two Sound Systems

In dual language programs, students learn to read through the combined influence of both of their languages. Children acquire the phonemes and sound patterns of their home language(s) first, and these established systems shape how new sounds in English and Spanish are perceived, distinguished, and produced — a predictable process of cross‑linguistic transfer. Because Spanish and English have different vowel inventories, consonant contrasts, and levels of orthographic depth, students naturally draw on familiar sound patterns as they decode in either language. These are not errors but linguistically logical developmental patterns. This session equips dual language educators to use cross‑language comparisons to interpret early literacy assessments more accurately, identify skills that transfer automatically across languages, and target explicit instruction where phonemes diverge — strengthening equity‑focused decisions that honor the full bilingual reading process. Grade Levels: Pre-K, K-2