How Spanish Can Boost Your English Learning

By Andrea Cubillos

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October 30, 2025

Contents

Introduction

Why Bilingual Education for ELLs Works

Spanish Immersion: Learning by Living the Language

Heritage Spanish Speakers: Special Support for a Special Group

The Power of Native Language Literacy

Translanguaging: Using Both Languages Together

Smart Solutions: How Schools Can Improve

Comligo: A Trusted Partner in Language Learning

Tips for Schools Starting Bilingual Programs

Final Thoughts

Introduction

In many schools across the U.S., classrooms are filled with students who speak more than one language. Some students speak Spanish at home and are learning English at school. Others are learning Spanish as a second language.

One of the best ways to help all these students succeed is through bilingual education programs. These programs use Spanish support for English learners and offer big benefits for all students.

This blog explains how helping students read and write in Spanish, known as native language literacy, can help them learn English. You can also explore the benefits of dual-language Spanish programs for students and schools.

Why Bilingual Education for ELLs Works

Bilingual education means students are taught in two languages, usually English and their first language (L1), like Spanish. For ELLs, learning in both languages helps them do better in school.

When teachers use Spanish to teach English, students understand lessons more clearly. This doesn’t slow them down, it actually helps them learn faster.

Key Benefits of Bilingual Education for ELLs

Better learning overall: Students understand more when teachers connect lessons to their home language.
Improved thinking skills: Bilingual kids often have stronger memory, focus, and problem-solving abilities.
Stronger reading and writing: Using L1 literacy for ELLs helps build literacy in both languages.
Cultural confidence: Students feel proud of their background when their first language is respected.

Spanish Immersion: Learning by Living the Language

In Spanish immersion programs, students learn most of their subjects in Spanish. This helps them become fluent naturally, just like native speakers. They also use Spanish at school for things like science, history, or even math.

These programs offer huge benefits:

High fluency: Kids in immersion programs often speak, read, and write in Spanish very well.
Stronger English too: Studies show immersion students also improve in English language development.
Better communication: They grow confident speaking in both languages.
Long-term benefits: Bilingual students have more job options and often earn more money as adults.

Heritage Spanish Speakers: Special Support for a Special Group

Many students already speak Spanish at home. These are known as heritage Spanish speakers. They understand the language but may not read or write it well. Primary language literacy programs help them build these skills and succeed in English too. This is also one of the reasons why heritage Spanish programs are becoming more popular in U.S. schools.

How Schools Can Help Heritage Speakers:

Honor their culture: When schools respect their Spanish background, students feel seen and supported.
Offer strong Spanish literacy programs: This helps improve both bilingual literacy and English.
Involve families: Parents are more likely to help when their language is used and respected at school.

Using Spanish support for English learners helps heritage speakers do better not just in language, but in all subjects.

The Power of Native Language Literacy

One of the strongest tools for learning English is being able to read and write in your first language. This is called native language literacy. For students who speak Spanish, using Spanish to help English learners means they can transfer skills like sounding out words, grammar, and sentence structure.

Benefits of Native Language Literacy for English Learners:

Skill transfer: What a student knows in Spanish can help them learn English faster.
Stronger reading comprehension: Students who read well in Spanish understand English texts more easily.
Academic success: Students with native language literacy are more likely to finish school and go to college.
Emotional support: Feeling confident in one language helps students take risks in the second.

First language support for ELL students is very important. It helps them develop their English skills while keeping their native language.

Translanguaging: Using Both Languages Together

Translanguaging is when teachers and students move between Spanish and English in a smart way to support learning. Instead of keeping the two languages separate, they work together.

Example:

A student might read a science article in Spanish, then write a report in English. Or a teacher might explain new words in both languages to help the class understand better.

Translanguaging:

Builds deeper understanding
Helps students connect new ideas to what they already know
Makes learning more comfortable and fun

Real Challenges: Teacher Shortages and Limited Funding

Even though the benefits of bilingual education are clear, many schools face real problems:

Not enough trained bilingual teachers
Low budgets for Spanish-language books and materials
Lack of training on how to support ELLs properly

These problems slow down efforts to bring ELL Spanish support to more schools.

Smart Solutions: How Schools Can Improve

To support more students, schools should:

1. Train more bilingual teachers

Provide special training in translanguaging, bilingual literacy, and native language literacy benefits.

2. Use educational technology

Platforms like Comligo offer full programs that help students learn both English and Spanish. These tools are flexible and can be used at home or in school. They offer:

Online lessons
Fun practice activities
Bilingual reading materials
Support for teachers

3. Involve parents and communities

Invite Spanish-speaking families to participate in events. Provide school materials in both languages.

4. Apply for funding and grants

Look for government support that promotes bilingual education for ELLs and helps buy materials or hire more teachers.

Comligo: A Trusted Partner in Language Learning

Comligo is a digital platform built to support Spanish support for English learners. Schools use it to:

Teach reading and writing in both Spanish and English
Train teachers in L1 literacy for ELLs and translanguaging strategies
Help students at all levels, from beginners to fluent speakers
Support bilingual education for ELLs in a simple, tech-friendly way

Whether you're just starting a bilingual program or trying to improve an existing one, Comligo makes it easier.

Tips for Schools Starting Bilingual Programs

Here are a few steps that can help any school succeed with Spanish support for English learners:

Conduct Needs Assessments: Find out how many students speak Spanish and what level of support they need.
Plan for Literacy in Both Languages: Make sure your curriculum includes reading and writing in English and Spanish.
Encourage Staff Teamwork: Have bilingual teachers work with general education staff to create lessons together.
Track Progress: Use regular tests, quizzes, and classroom check-ins to make sure students are improving.
Celebrate Language and Culture: Host events, play Spanish music, and include Spanish-speaking authors in your reading list.

Final Thoughts

Helping students keep and grow their Spanish skills while learning English is not just a good idea, it’s the smart way to teach. Spanish literacy helps English learners. Support in their first language is important. Bilingual education also helps ELLs succeed in school and in life.

We need to stop thinking of Spanish as something students “grow out of.” We should use it to help develop English skills, improve test scores, build strong school communities, and create proud, confident students.

Comligo is here to help every step of the way with tools, training, and a proven path to success.

Andrea Cubillos

Academic Team

Andrea Cubillos is a seasoned Spanish teacher from Bogotá, Colombia, with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in both Spanish as a native and foreign language. Currently teaching in Medellín, Andrea combines her love for literature, art, and baking to create inspiring, creative learning experiences for her students.