Similarities (and Differences) in the Learning Patterns of Single-Word Reading of an Alphabetic Orthography in Monolingual and Bilingual Primary School Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: With growing waves of migration, children speaking a home language different from the language of school literacy have become increasingly common in Western education systems. In this context, understanding and monitoring bilinguals’ reading development is crucial to inform both educational and clinical practices and ensure equitable services. The present study contributes to the literature by investigating learning patterns in single-word reading across primary school grades. Monolingual and bilingual children learning to read in an alphabetic orthography were examined. Methods: The sample consisted of 565 typically developing monolingual and bilingual primary school children from grades 1–5 (bilinguals = 162). Participants completed a computerised Lexical Decision task (LDT) recording accuracy and response times, and standardised tests of reading and cognition. A parental questionnaire was used to gather socio-demographic and linguistic information. Results: Response bias-corrected accuracy rates in the LDT revealed an increase in sensitivity across school years after correcting for potential confounds (SES, vocabulary, nonverbal intelligence). No significant effect of bilingualism was observed. Response times for correct responses also decreased consistently across grades after controlling for the same confounds. Although no significant main effect of bilingualism emerged, an interaction with grade revealed a greater decrease in response times for second-grade bilinguals compared to monolingual peers. Conclusions: Monolingual and bilingual children showed comparable sensitivity rates and reading times, suggesting similar decoding skill acquisition. However, an earlier decrease in response times for bilinguals points to a facilitatory effect in the early stages of reading development, consistent with a bilingual advantage during skill learning.