In 2025, the approach to teaching reading is becoming increasingly cross-linguistic, recognizing the benefits of multilingualism and the diverse language backgrounds of students.
For multilingual students, reading instruction now leverages their full linguistic repertoire. Rather than treating languages as separate entities, teachers encourage students to draw connections between languages, enhancing overall literacy skills. This approach, known as translanguaging, allows students to use all their language skills to support reading comprehension.
Even for monolingual students, exposure to multiple writing systems and linguistic structures is becoming common. This not only prepares them for an increasingly globalized world but also enhances metalinguistic awareness, which is crucial for advanced reading skills.
Technology plays a key role in this trend. AI-powered translation tools are integrated into reading platforms, allowing students to seamlessly switch between languages or see side-by-side translations. This helps in vocabulary acquisition and understanding of different sentence structures.
Bilingual and multilingual books are more prevalent, with stories that naturally weave between languages, reflecting the reality of many multilingual communities. These books often include audio components, helping with pronunciation and fluency in multiple languages.
