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Cognates
Bilingual students benefit from formal instruction in using cognates to improve their English reading and vocabulary. Cognates are words that are similar in both form and meaning in English and Spanish. Research indicates that Spanish-speaking students’ recognition of cognates contributes to their reading proficiency. Cognates that have similar spelling patterns are easier to recognize. Other cognates are more difficult to identify because they have variations in their orthographic form and syntactic function.
It is also important to realize that students need to have knowledge of the word in their native language in order to make the connection between the two words.
Students need to be made aware of cognates and how they can be helpful in understanding what they read. A list of cognates for your use is attached.
Remind students to use what they know in Spanish to help them read and comprehend words in English. For example, if students know the Spanish word familia, they can read and understand the English word family. Make students aware of false cognates that mean different things. For example, the English word embarrassed does not mean the same as the Spanish word embarazada.*
Cognates
Adapted from García, G., & Nagy, W. (1993). Latino students’ concept of cognates. In D. Leu & C. Kinzer (Eds.), Examining central issues in literacy research, theory, and practice. Chicago: National Reading Conference. |
