[stuartcr]

I don’t see what’s wrong with kids speaking their own language, as long as it isn’t in class.

[beaversmom]

And I don’t see what’s wrong with a private school setting the rules they see fit for their particular situation.

[purpleraine]

I agree, but I don’t think the church should be forced by government to restrict their rules on that topic. I think if it was a public school, the kids would have the choice outside of class. They are not being pressured to attend a private school.

[grellis]

I have a big problem with it. Students at the school my kids go to speak Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, and Swahili often and with ease, but they are struggling to learn English. If they were not allowed to speak their native language at school at all, they would be forced to use English in normal conversation with classmates. They would learn the language faster.

[brytlea]

In order for the kids to quickly learn English they should be immersed in English. Probably this is one reason for the rule.

Could also be discipline reasons involved, ie, kids speak Spanish to dis teachers or other students. I was lucky when I was teaching HS in TX because I knew most of the bad words in Spanish, and the first time a student used one in my presence, I told them that was totally unacceptable in my classroom. They were stunned, but suddenly I had their respect (plus they were afraid because they didn’t know how much Spanish I knew!).

susie

[Wonder Warthog]

"I don’t see what’s wrong with kids speaking their own language, as long as it isn’t in class."

Because it slows down their acquisition of English proficiency. MUCH research has shown that "total immersion" is the quickest way to learn a language.

[bpjam]

Speaking other languages at school is not only divisive but it is also rude. It allows students to individuate by ethnic groups and further prevents assimilation which is vital not only to the success of the children but also of the school, the community and our nation.

And if the kids can’t learn English at school because they are allowed to keep speaking Spanish there, then they are wasting their time going to school since they won’t be speaking English at home either.

And since when do Americans have a language other than English as ‘(their) language’?

If these kids want to speak Latin, I could certainly understand a Catholic School making that an exception.

[ohioman]

This is a private school. They make the rules. If the kids/parents don’t like the rules they can take their arse elsewhere.