What is a benefit of letting students use technology for reading and listening in their native language?

• A. It distracts from literacy development.
• B. It provides no benefits to multilingual learners.
• C. It supports literacy development and respects language background.
• D. It replaces teacher-led instruction entirely.

Answer: (C)

Using technology to read and listen in a student’s native language helps build literacy while honoring the language they know. When learners can access texts and audio in L1, they can connect new ideas to what they already understand, grow vocabulary, and develop comprehension strategies more smoothly. Technology offers helpful features—such as audio narration, text highlighting, bilingual glossaries, and easy language switching—that support translanguaging and make meaning more accessible. This approach supports literacy development for multilingual learners and respects their language background, rather than pushing everyone to rely on a single language. It’s best seen as a powerful tool that complements instruction, not a replacement for teacher guidance. The other statements don’t fit because thoughtful use of technology enhances learning, benefits multilingual learners, and does not inherently distract or replace teachers.