NM PED 2026 Literacy and Humanities Summer Conference

English Learners bring valuable phonological knowledge to early literacy instruction. Research identifies phoneme-grapheme relationships between Spanish and English as fully transferable, partially transferable, or non-transferable, and these connections serve as a critical bridge for reading development. In this session, you will examine how the similarities and differences in Spanish and English phonology impact student reading and spelling in English.

You will be introduced to the Translinguistic Tool for Teachers of English Learners (T³EL), a resource designed to support your understanding of phoneme-grapheme reciprocity across languages. You will explore practical guidance for teaching phonics concepts to English Learners and gain the instructional tools necessary to implement these strategies in your classroom. You will leave with a clear roadmap for using a student’s home language as a powerful foundation for English literacy success.