What is the primary focus of metalinguistic skills?

The primary focus of metalinguistic skills is on reflecting on language usage. This involves thinking critically about language itself and its components, such as phonetics, syntax, semantics, and the rules governing language structure and use. Metalinguistic awareness allows individuals to understand concepts like word formation, grammar, and how language can convey different meanings depending on context. It encourages learners to analyze, manipulate, and evaluate language, improving their ability to communicate effectively.

In contrast, understanding vocabulary refers specifically to knowing the meanings of words, which is a part of language knowledge but does not encompass the broader analysis involved in metalinguistics. Analyzing syntax focuses on sentence structure specifically, which is one aspect of metalinguistic skills but not the entirety of it. Decoding written text relates to the ability to read and interpret written language, a key skill in literacy development, but it is more about the mechanics of reading rather than the reflective thought processes involved in metalinguistic competence.