Bilingual Classes in California Get Praise, Criticism

Fox News ^ | 10/23/5

[Crackingham]

In 1998, California voters banned bilingual education in that state. But now, some parents have the option of putting their children in "dual immersion" programs where, beginning in kindergarten, students are taught in both languages. In this program, kindergarten lessons are taught 90 percent in Spanish and 10 percent English. In first, grade, it's 80 percent Spanish and 20 percent English and by fifth grade, it's 50 percent to 50 percent.

Supporters say it gives English-speaking children a chance to learn another language and ties Hispanic children to their heritage. Half of America's non-English speaking kindergarteners are enrolled in California schools.

"By the time they hit high school, they will be totally fluent and be advanced in their academic content area in both Spanish and English," said Palm Elementary Principal Beatrice Gray.

Currently, 136 California schools have dual immersion programs. Some are charter schools but others offer parents waivers to have their kids be enrolled in bilingual classes. But critics argue that schools are having enough trouble teaching kids in English without "immersing" them in a different language. And they believe dual immersion is nothing more than an end-run around Proposition 227, California's English-only law.

[umgud]

Half of America's non-English speaking kindergarteners are enrolled in California schools.

Ah yes, a snapshot of CA's future.

[DumpsterDiver]

Supporters say it gives English-speaking children a chance to learn another language and ties Hispanic children to their heritage.

Their parents can keep them tied to their heritage if it's that important to them.

And they believe dual immersion is nothing more than an end-run around Proposition 227, California's English-only law.

It does look that way.

[DumpsterDiver]

Ah yes, a snapshot of CA's future.

I think that should be, a snapshot of CA's present and a snapshot of America's future.

[Dallas59]

What has Spanish done for South and Central America?

[pennboricua]

When I first arrived in the mainland from Puerto Rico back in 1961, I was enrolled in grammar school along with my many sisters, we spoke nor read English.
To this day I remember my introduction to the Chicago Public School system, on the first day I was given a quide and tutor, his job was to acquaint me with the school and help me with my transition to English.
His name was Enrique a native from Mexico, I can still recall the pride in his eyes being given this responsibility and how warmly he took me as his pupil- before the year was over- and both of us nearing our tenth birthday, I was well on the way to partaking in and enjoing doing the same.
This English as a second lanquage is just rubbish.

[pennboricua]

When I first arrived in the mainland from Puerto Rico back in 1961, I was enrolled in grammar school along with my many sisters, we spoke nor read English.
To this day I remember my introduction to the Chicago Public School system, on the first day I was given a quide and tutor, his job was to acquaint me with the school and help me with my transition to English.
His name was Enrique a native from Mexico, I can still recall the pride in his eyes being given this responsibility and how warmly he took me as his pupil- before the year was over- and both of us nearing our tenth birthday, I was well on the way to partaking in and enjoing doing the same.
This English as a second lanquage is just rubbish.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"In this program, kindergarten lessons are taught 90 percent in Spanish and 10 percent English. In first, grade, it's 80 percent Spanish and 20 percent English and by fifth grade, it's 50 percent to 50 percent. Supporters say it gives English-speaking children a chance to learn another language and ties Hispanic children to their heritage."

"ties hispanic children to their heritage", ah doesn't that just give ya the warm fuzzies

And how come English speakers can be "immersed" in 90% Spanish in the first year but vice versa seems to be a no-no?

[Lizavetta]

So let me see if I get this right....

Putting Spanish-speaking kids into an English-speaking school is racist, cruel, etcetera etcetera....

....but putting English-speaking kids in a Spanish immersion American public school is.....progress?

Do you need any more evidence that liberalism is indeed a mental disorder?

Making Mexican kids learn English - RACIST!
Making American kids learn Spanish - PROGRESS!

Here's a news flash for ya.....Spanish is NOT the language of success, capitalism and opportunity on this planet. English is. Get used to it.

[conservativecorner]

You are in America folks. English is our language. Get used to it because Americans in America shouldn't have to learn a foreign language when at home. It's a frigging slap in the face to every man and women who has paid the ultimate price for their country for over 200 years.

[snowman1]

Good for you. It's the fruits and nuts from California who come up with all the SH__.

[luckystarmom]

Our school district is doing this with lots of their schools.

There's one school near our house. One white family went to enroll there, and the principal told them that they probably shouldn't go to the school because it was mainly in Spanish. Not only the classes, but the assemblies, evertything is in Spanish.

The school district also would not let this family go to another school in the district.

I hate San Jose Unified.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I could see having a Spanish interpreter in English classrooms, so the children would hear both spoken in parallel.

[Casloy]

When I was 8 our family moved to South America. I spoke no spanish on arrival and the school put me in spanish language courses full time. Within 2 months I spoke spanish well enough to take regular classes and within 4 to 6 months I was fluent. I'm not sure why we don't do that over here. It's the children that ultimately pay the price for not learning English immediately.

[CyberAnt]

Even when we vote to stop these people from destroying these children .. they just keep coming. Do we need a brass cross or a silver dagger - what the heck is it going to take to get the point across.

Bilingual education - children do poorly - and struggle getting jobs.

English education - go on to college - get great jobs.

Now which one do you think the democrats want!!