Why is it important for second-language learners to retain their home language skills?
A child’s home language supports development and learning and ensures lifelong connections to family and culture. Children gain a sense of identity and learn how to relate to others. Through the home language, parents pass on the beliefs and values that influence and guide their children. If children lose the ability to understand and use their home language, family relationships and communications can suffer. In addition, children acquire literacy skills and concepts as they listen to stories, sing songs, look at books, and engage in other activities in their home language. They use what they already know about words and print to learn the second language. Listening to adult discussions and taking part in family conversations conducted in their home language, allows children to build their vocabularies. If children lose their home language skills they may also lose opportunities to stretch their thinking skills to make sense of the complex and abstract ideas expressed by adult family
