Part I.pdf - MTB-MLE Network

The Literature BridgeThe “Literature Bridge” contrasts inadequate planning and supply of literature for new learnerswith a well-planned and structured provision of literature for readers. In the upper portion of thepicture, the learners have access to a primer, for example, and perhaps some basic level readingmaterials. However, there is a gap: there are no sequential, graded reading materials to move thelearners “step-by-step” towards reading fluency. The graphic depicts people falling off the bridgeinto the river – paralleling with learners who drop out of the literacy programme and do not becomelifelong readers. Only a few, with great personal effort, can make the jump from primer/basic levelreading to fluent reading in both their mother tongue and L2. However, in a well-structured readingprogramme where graded literature is available, readers can move from primer level throughStages 1 to 4, and become lifelong readers in two or more languages.Mother-tongue speakers can develop their own literatureMembers of the language community can be participants in the literature production process.They can:• write original materials based on their own experiences and created from their experiencesand imagination• put their traditional oral literature into written form37