How Spanish Shapes English Spelling in Upper Elementary Multilingual Learners: Study Findings

Title: Study Findings on How Spanish Influences English Spelling in Upper Elementary Multilingual Learners Grounded in research on cross-linguistic influence (CLI; Figueredo, 2006), which highlights how students’ first languages shape additional language learning, this presentation shares the research process, methods, and preliminary findings from a study of fourth- and fifth-grade students in public schools across the U.S. Southeast and Northeast during the 2024–2025 academic year. The analytic sample includes 240 students across six schools, including 104 Spanish-speaking multilingual learners. Using responses from the Elementary Spelling Inventory (Bear et al., 2023), the study examines the extent to which Spanish influences English spelling in upper elementary grades. Findings will provide evidence to help answer which English spelling features are particularly influenced by Spanish and what is the magnitude of the cross-linguistic influence. Expected Outcome: Attendees will leave with a foundational understanding of how cross-linguistic influence shapes second-language learning, specifically how Spanish can influence English spelling in upper elementary grades, as well as practical, linguistically informed strategies for recognizing spelling patterns and effectively supporting multilingual students.