Bilingual Shared Reading
The bilingual shared reading programme is an interactive shared reading approach that incorporates dialogic reading and translanguaging strategies.
Dialogic Reading
Dialogic reading is an interactive approach to shared reading with children. Rather than simply reading words aloud while children listen, it encourages children to describe pictures, make predictions, explain their ideas, and connect stories to their own experiences. During reading, parents use prompt questions and feedback to support discussion, encourage children's participation, and extend their thinking and language. Through this process, children gradually become the storytellers, while parents act as supportive listeners who help develop children's language and communication skills. Research has shown that interactive reading can strengthen children's language skills, confidence, and enjoyment of reading.
Translanguaging
Many parents wonder whether they should read in only one language or keep Chinese and English strictly separate. A translanguaging approach encourages families to use both languages flexibly during shared reading.
Research suggests that bilingual children draw on interconnected linguistic resources when they understand, think, and communicate, rather than using their languages as completely separate systems. This flexible use of bilingual resources, often referred to as translanguaging, allows children to use both languages to support understanding, express their ideas, and gradually develop skills in each language.
Four Simple Steps: PEER
Prompt
Prompt children to use language through questioning.
Evaluate
Evaluate children’s answers and provide feedback.
Expand
Expand children’s answers to provide more linguistic exposure.
Repeat
Let the children repeat the target language.
Ask a variety of questions: CROWD
Completion
Leave out part of a sentence for children to complete orally.
Recall
Guide children to recall specific details/events in the text.
Open-ended
Ask questions about the story that have an open answer.
Wh-questions
Elicit specific answers with question words (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How).
Distancing
Connect the text to children’s everyday lives and world knowledge.
Practical tips for bilingual shared reading
When reading together, the key is to create opportunities for children to use their languages flexibly and meaningfully as they engage with stories and express their ideas.
During bilingual shared reading, parents can:
✅ Allow a natural flow between languages
If children prefer to answer questions in one language (e.g., English) or explain parts of the story in another (e.g., Chinese), their efforts should be welcomed and encouraged. Moving flexibly between languages is a natural part of bilingual development and can support children's meaning-making and engagement.
- Encourage your child to try expressing ideas in their less dominant language while providing support when needed.
✅ Act as a “bilingual bridge”
Parents can ask questions in one language and help children extend their ideas in the other. They can also offer positive feedback in one language and then provide additional details, explanations, or prompts in the other. This helps children make connections across their two languages.
- Encourage the use of Chinese and English by asking questions in both languages (e.g., ask a question in Chinese: 小狐狸在做什么呢 and then discuss/explain another question in English: Why do you think he is hiding?)
- Use questions at different difficulty levels to engage children
- Expand vocabulary in both languages (e.g., Yes! The elephant is big, or you can also say it’s huge. 或者也可以用中文说它很庞大或者很强壮。)
✅ Focus on communication rather than correction
Even when children's expressions are incomplete or contain errors, they are actively developing their linguistic knowledge. Allowing children to communicate without frequent interruption can foster both language learning and confidence.
✅ Connect language learning to family experiences
Drawing on their knowledge of their child's everyday language use, parents can explain new vocabulary, concepts, or cultural references in the language that is most familiar to the child. They can then encourage the child to discuss or practise the same ideas in their less dominant language. This approach helps children build meaningful connections while strengthening both languages.
For example:
- Do you remember the panda that we saw in the zoo last time?
The most important thing is to create a relaxed, enjoyable reading experience where children feel confident to speak, think, and learn in both languages.