Why is there a relationship between primary language academic success and English?

The relationship between primary language academic success and English centers around the idea that proficiency in a student's primary language contributes significantly to their ability to acquire and understand English. When students develop strong skills in their primary language, they are also developing essential cognitive and linguistic skills such as vocabulary acquisition, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. These skills are transferable and can enhance their learning in a second language, including English.

When students are proficient in their primary language, they are often better equipped to engage with complex concepts and language structures. This proficiency provides them with a foundation that makes it easier to learn English later. Additionally, comprehensible input—the language exposure that students can understand while still being challenged—expands when a student has a strong base in their primary language.

Thus, the connection between success in the primary language and success in English underscores the importance of supporting students' primary language development as they learn a second language. This interdependence indicates that fostering skills in the primary language creates a pathway for improved academic outcomes in English.