Bilingual Education

Ever since 1492, America has been a melting pot of cultures. English, Irish, Scottish, German, and Dutch, were the earliest settlers of the colonies. The majority of the immigrants spoke English, while the minority spoke their natural languages. In modern America, the dominate language is English, of course. Nativists, nowadays, strongly believe that immigrants should be required to speak English before they become naturalized citizens. Isn't this view contradictory? Our ancestors came to America and they couldn't communicate with the Natives. Our ancestors came for hope, but these immigrants also come for hope. I believe that the school board should not dismiss the bilingual education program, and for these reasons: Spanish students learn better in their natural language, 90% of the school's students pass their achievement tests, and 60-75% of the world is bilingual.
Immigrant students that don't speak English should not be taught in English speaking classes. If a Spanish speaking student moves to America, the school should meet the students needs. By eliminating bilingual education, a student falls behind in class, fails standardized tests, and is given an unfair chance at interpersonal communication. Spanish speaking students can only learn so much from kinesics and paralanguage. If a student who doesn't speak English, fails a standardized test or an IQ test, it is the school's responsibility and failure for not providing the oppurtunity for the student to succeed.
Another reason for the school district to keep its bilingual education program, is that 90% of the schools students pass their achievement tests. The school should take great pride in this accomplishment, because it shows the school takes initiative in helping students who don't speak English. The school should keep their program because of the positive feedback that comes from the Spanish community.
The United States is at an amazingly appaling disadvantage in the field of language. Only 25% of Americans are bilingual, while 60-75% of the world is bilingual. This causes quite a problem in the communication process. The school district should be encouraging its students to learn a second language. Especially since Spanish is the second most common language in America, followed by French and German.
If a school will provide transportation for students who couldn't regularly attend school or a meal to students who can't afford breakfast, or if a student can't speak English, the school meets the student's needs. The school shouldn't prohibit a non-English speaking student from learning in Spanish. I believe that schools should teach students in their native languages, so they won't fall behind. I also believe that the school board should keep the bilingual program because of the students high achievement test scores, and if every school had a bilingual program, American bilingual speakers would not be as rare as they are.






http://www.gallup.com/poll/1825/about-one-four-americans-can-hold-conversation-second-language.aspx

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/15_02/Bi152.shtml

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/05/AR2007040501892.html