Metalinguistics - Literacy Development

Literacy Development

Metalinguistic skills involve amplified and logical understanding of the rules used to govern language. Scholar Patrick Hartwell points out how substantial it is for students to develop these capabilities, especially heightened phonological awareness, which is a key precursor to literacy. 3 An essential aspect to language development is focused on the student being aware of language and the components of language.

This idea is also examined in the article Metalinguistic Awareness and Literacy Acquisition in Different Languages 4 that centers on how the construction of a language and writing strategy shape an individual's ability to read. It also discusses the manner in which bilingualism increases particular elements of metalinguistic awareness.

Published research studies by Elizabeth McAllister have concluded that metalinguistic abilities are associated to cognitive development and is contingent on metalinguistic awareness which relates to reading skill level, academic success and cultural environment that starts at infancy and continues through preschool.

According to Text in Education and Society, some examples of in the development of metalinguistic skills include includes discussing, examining, thinking about language, grammar and reading comprehension. The text also states that a student's recognition or self correction of language in verbal and written form helps them further advance their skills. The book also illustrates manners in which literature can form connections or create boundaries between educational intelligence and practical knowledge.

Gail T. Gillion wrote the book Phonological Awareness which illustrates the connection between phonological awareness and metalinguistic awareness's in literacy learning. It essentially states the a student's ability to understand the spoken word and their ability to recognize a word and decode it are dependent on each other. The text also discusses ways in which students struggling with speech impairments and reading difficulties can improve their learning process.