A child’s L1 can be used to create links between the various languages present or taught in the classroom. Allowing children to use their L1 in the classroom empowers them to create metalinguistic links between languages
This chapter discusses the experiences of a primary school head teacher in Ireland which has a large proportion of children whose first language is not English. Children are encouraged to use their home languages in the school to make meaning and create links between other languages.
Kirwan, D. 2014. From English language support to plurilingual awareness. In D. Little, C. Leung & P. Van Avermaet (eds.), Managing diversity in education. Languages, policies, pedagogies, 189–203. Bristol, UK: Multilingual Matters pp. 189-203