Research has found that literacy in the first language of a student of English as a second language (ESL) aids in the acquisition of English, but there has been little exploration of the processes that underlie this. This pilot project investigates children's experiences of literacy in their first language (Hebrew), instruction in strategies available to bilinguals, students' attitudes to their two languages, and how these related to their acquisition of the second language, English. The study is conducted in the context of a bilingual school in Melbourne, where instruction is in English and Hebrew. (Contains 1 figure.)