Will Learning in Two Languages Affect My Child’s English Reading and Writing?

“If my child is learning in two languages, will they fall behind in English reading and writing?”

It’s a question we often hear from families considering Avenues. Parents want their children to gain proficiency in another language while also building a strong foundation in English. Our approach is designed with both goals in mind: developing confident bilingual learners and thoughtful, capable readers and writers.

At Avenues, English literacy is an essential part of a child’s education. As students learn to think and express themselves in English and either Chinese or Spanish, they also develop their ability to tell stories, organize ideas, build arguments, and communicate clearly.

From First Stories to Literary Essays

That work begins in early childhood, where imaginative play and storytelling give children opportunities to develop their voices and make meaning through language. As students move through the elementary years, their writing becomes increasingly complex, progressing to chapter books, literary essays, and analytical writing.

Our commitment to graduating students who are “good writers and speakers one and all” begins with these early experiences. We hold high expectations for our young writers while recognizing that growth takes time, practice, and thoughtful, expert support.

See Our Students’ Writing for Yourself

The collection below offers a window into that progression. Featuring writing from nursery through 5th grade in English, Chinese, and Spanish, it celebrates our students’ creativity, individual voices, and growing ability to express their ideas.

For families curious about what English writing looks like in a bilingual school, these pages provide something concrete to explore. Alongside their work in a second language, students develop as English writers—from their earliest stories to more sustained and complex pieces.

We invite you to explore the collection below and see how those foundations grow throughout a child’s years at Avenues.