Considerations When Working with Students and Families Who Are Learning English
Emergent Literacy Birth-Grade 3
Linguistic Similarities between
Systems English and Spanish
Writing English and Spanish use the
Systems same letters, except the ñ
English and Spanish sentence
structure is very similar
making the transition when
writing easier
There are similarities in
capitalization like the first
word of sentence and proper
nouns
Similarities in punctuation
like period at the end of
sentences and commas used
with similar rules
Concepts Concept of print is almost
About Print identical as format of written
materials is generally the
same beyond written structure
English and Spanish
Differences between
English and Spanish
Capitalization and punctuation
are different in Spanish
compared to English.
Questions and expression of
excitement have upside down
punctuation marks at the
beginning of the sentence as
well as the end.
Days of the week, months of
the year and languages are not
capitalized in Spanish
Spelling is less irregular and
more predictable than English
Any concept of print
differences are related to
written structure of the
sentences or document
Resources Additional Resources
Provide graphic Resources found at
organizers for students to Colorin Colorado
organize their thoughts Writing Resource Tab
and ideas
Create vocabulary lists to
help students expand
writing about specific
topics
Use graphics and
pictures to help students
with the writing process
Provide books in both
English and Spanish for
students to explore,
browse and interact with
 differences
Phonology In both languages, words
combine to make sounds
Regional dialects can affect
how words are said and
understood
Semantics Regional dialects and cultures
can affect how words are said
and understood
Spanish language only has 5
vowel sounds while English
has more than 14
Spanish has more graphemes
that represent single phoneme
than English. This is
dependent on where the
grapheme exists in the word.
While the same letters are used world application to
from English and Spanish,
they produce different sounds
in each language
Spanish language applies
genders to subjects while
English does not
Provide words in both Resources from Colorin
English and Spanish to Colorado Reading 1010
provide a connection for English Language
point Learners
Use manipulatives and
visuals to create a hands-
on experience
Use interests and real-
teach phonics in context
Model phoneme
production and provide
direct correction and
instruction
Direct instruction in
possessives, non-
gendered language, and
prepositions

Syntax English and Spanish both use
the subject + verb + object
sentence formation
Pragmatics Like regional dialects of
English, Spanish languages is
interpreted differently
depending on your region and
culture
The verb “to have” is often
used to express feelings in
Spanish
Fewer prepositions in Spanish
Spanish uses subjunctive
mood much more often than
English
There are times when Spanish
language will put the subject
after the verb
Adjectives come after a noun
in Spanish while in English
they come before generally
Possessives nouns do not exist
in Spanish
Spanish speaking children
interact more with each other
than adults typically
Children show respect by
avoiding eye contact in
Spanish speaking cultures
All students to explore a
variety of written
materials to get a feel for
different sentences
Allow students to work
in their interests and in
real world situations
Provide models and
examples in Spanish and
English to provide a
connection
Provide specific
instruction in adjective
placement
Have student rewrite
incorrect sentences
Scramble sentences of
increasing difficulty and
topic and work to put
them in the correct
English order
Create a space of open
communication
Do not correct students
home language usage
when they are speaking
English
 Sometimes Spanish speaking
peoples will initiate Remain current and open
conversation with personal to learning about
questions communication
differences
Spanish speaking children
gesture more when
communicating than children
raised in English speaking
communities

Housing English speakers and Spanish Spanish speakers are more

speakers have varied housing likely to live in multi-
situations that have many generational households
contributing factors (income, compared to English speakers
location. Proximity to family) but this is not exclusive

Marriage/ The nuclear family is idealist Many Spanish speaking Work to build strong
Family in both Spanish and English- families put a high value on family relationships with
speaking communities, but education. teacher and overall
both communities have family school culture
structures that are varied to
due to a number of factors. Provide interpreter when
needed

Religion While many Spanish speakers

identify as Catholic, there is
variety of religious practices
among those who speak
Spanish and English.

Other