Growing up in a Vietnamese-speaking household, language became more than communication to me; it was the melody of family. When I was a child, my grandma was the foundation of my literacy path. She sang many lullabies for me with a warm voice, tender, and would weave the traditional melodies of my favorite song “Our Village’s Rice Grain” into the fabric of my soul.

“Hat gao lang ta

Co vi phu sa

Cua song Kinh THAY

Co huong sen thom”

That’s a lullaby my grandmother used to sing to me. Each note, each word, was a thread linking me to my heritage, teaching me to appreciate what I have and where I come from. Grandma’s lullabies were my first lessons in language, it was in the soft hums and the whispered tales of her songs that I began to grasp the power of words. Her voice, a guiding beacon in the night, illuminated my path toward understanding and embracing the written word. As (Fellowes & Oakley, 2014) mentioned: “Literacy is the capacity, confidence, and disposition to use language in all its forms. Literacy incorporates a range of modes of communication including music, movement, dance, storytelling, visual arts, media and drama, as well as talking, listening, viewing, reading and writing.” (p.3). When I grew, the memories of those lullabies remained a foundation upon which my love for reading and writing was built. In the quiet of the night, I often find myself revisiting those melodies, now recognizing them as my first lessons in the beautiful dance of language and storytelling. As Victor mentions “Children learn music from the moment they start to hear. Music is learned the same way as all languages are learned. We don’t correct the child when they learn new words, we let them continue practicing so they can work it out”. (TedxTalks,2013). Through music as a language, my grandma taught and passed on traditions and values that shaped my identity.

Now, I’m living in a multicultural community in Australia, I quickly learned that language is more than just words; it’s an expression of who we are. Speaking both English and Vietnamese experiences shaped my identity as someone who belongs to multiple cultures and diversity. Language is more than a mere tool for communication; it is a social act that defines our interactions with family, friends, and the community at large. Through language, we express our deepest emotions, share our most cherished stories, and celebrate the culture that defines our social bonds.

Piaget’s theory inspired me to practice as he states that literacy is not just about learning to read and write but is also about developing the ability to think abstractly and critically. Through literacy, children can explore new ideas, enhance their creativity, and develop problem-solving skills (Nolan & Raban, 2015, p.19). To support the development of literacy skills in children, I will read them books that will serve as a foundation, opening doors to new worlds and broadening their vocabulary. In addition, music, dance, and movement will be used to actively and meaningfully improve their language skills. These different approaches are especially beneficial for children learning English as a second language, as they provide many pathways to comprehension and fluency. These activities are designed to support children in achieving Learning Outcome 5: ‘Children are effective communicators’—which includes: verbal and non-verbal interaction; engaging with texts to make meaning; expressing ideas ... using a range of media; beginning to understand how symbols and pattern systems work; and using ICTs. It is also linked to learning outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners  (ACECQA, 2022). I believe that through this holistic approach, children will not only learn to read and write but also gain confidence in expressing themselves creatively and effectively.

I hope that by sharing my journey, I can encourage other educators and children to embrace their voices and unlock the boundless potential that literacy holds. So, what’s your language journey? How has your first language shaped your life, your identity, and your view of the world? Please share with me and we will continue to explore the stories that make us who we are.

Thank you for listening.