Should my child learn to read in one language first?

          Some children learn to read two languages simultaneously, although this is the exception rather than the rule, and provides a successful route to biliteracy. The more common route is for the child to learn to read in one language first and in the second language a little later. Sequential rather than simultaneous learning to read in two languages tends to be the norm. This route is preferable when one language is stronger than the other. When sequential learning to read and write is adopted, it is important in a language minority context that the stronger language is used. This will build on the child's first (minority) language competence, aid the child's motivation to learn to read, and develop more positive attitudes to literacy. Developing literacy in a child's weaker language is often attempted with in-migrant children. Less success and slower development will usually occur than if the child is taught to read in the stronger language first. Learning to read starts the day a child is born. Listening and speaking is a necessary preparation for learning to read. One of the exciting things about biliteracy is that children's development in reading in the second language is greatly helped by their learning to read in the first language.

SOURCE : A PARENTS' AND TEACHERS' GUIDE TO BILINGUALISM