The Role of Context in Learning to Read Languages That Use Different Writing Systems and Scripts: Urdu and English

Language learning involves linguistic and societal factors that interact to facilitate or hinder second language learning. Different contextual provide an opportunity examine understand the similarities differences occur among bilingual children who learn same first (L1) (L2) in different countries contexts. This paper explored role of context, learners’ profiles Urdu–English bilinguals Canada Pakistan. Within- cross-linguistic comparisons were conducted for 76 speakers from Pakistan 50 participants Canada. Children, ages 8–10 years, tested on literacy measures both languages. Group performance across languages confirmed relative strengths based each country (Urdu English Canada). Despite some relations skills within language, context provided interesting findings regarding L1 acquiring L2 reading skills. These challenge theories developed using data learners, where learners acquire immersion contexts, such as North America Europe.