Which statement is true about transferring literacy skills from L1 to L2?

Which statement is true about transferring literacy skills from L1 to L2?

• A. Transfer is possible only for vocabulary.
• B. The skills that the student knows from different subjects in L1 will help in the acquisition of L2.
• C. Only language arts skills transfer.
• D. L1 knowledge hinders L2 learning.

Answer: (B)

Transferring literacy skills from L1 to L2 involves applying the strategies and knowledge a learner already has in one language to reading and writing in another. This includes the abilities learned across different subjects in the first language, such as identifying main ideas, organizing information, taking effective notes, and using graphic organizers, and then using those same approaches when engaging with texts in the new language. These cross-subject skills help students process meaning, build relevant background knowledge, and develop metacognitive strategies like predicting, summarizing, and monitoring comprehension. So, the general literacy practices students bring from science, social studies, math, or literature in L1 can support L2 learning, not just vocabulary or language arts alone. The other options are too narrow or incorrect: vocabulary transfer isn’t the only thing transferable, and L1 knowledge doesn’t hinder L2 learning.

Transferring literacy skills from L1 to L2 involves applying the strategies and knowledge a learner already has in one language to reading and writing in another. This includes the abilities learned across different subjects in the first language, such as identifying main ideas, organizing information, taking effective notes, and using graphic organizers, and then using those same approaches when engaging with texts in the new language. These cross-subject skills help students process meaning, build relevant background knowledge, and develop metacognitive strategies like predicting, summarizing, and monitoring comprehension. So, the general literacy practices students bring from science, social studies, math, or literature in L1 can support L2 learning, not just vocabulary or language arts alone. The other options are too narrow or incorrect: vocabulary transfer isn’t the only thing transferable, and L1 knowledge doesn’t hinder L2 learning.