School tells teachers to speak English only

Arizona Republic ^ | August 19, 2002 | Maggie Galehouse

[4America]

Teachers at PT Coe Elementary are shocked by Principal Lesa Thomas' request to keep Spanish out of their playground, cafeteria and hallways.

The K-5 school is part of the Isaac Elementary School District, where the student population is 95 percent Hispanic.

[grania]

I speak with my family and children in Polish (also in public). My children speak Polish among themselves even in school. Are you going to punish us

My mother's generation was very different. They spoke a Russian dialect in my (immigrant) grandparents home, but they were taught that it was rude to use that language when out in public. The exception was Russian Orthodox Church events and holiday celebrations where everyone there was from this environment. I never heard my grandparents or any of their children speak anything but English around other people.

[A. Pole]

They spoke a Russian dialect in my (immigrant) grandparents home, but they were taught that it was rude to use that language when out in public.

Well, we do not speak English one to another, it would be uncomfortable and artificial. And I consider it rude if someone wants to listen to our conversation if not invited. But I do enjoy listening to the other languages, even if I do not understand them :).

[BJungNan]

In the class, yes. But outside of the class it is not your or state business.

No, from bell to bell.

Ask yourself two questions: 1). What is the pupose of the rule that English is spoken bell to bell? Your comment, "what if children want to practice a little French...?" tells me you know the answer. The answer is, children benefit from practicing outside of class what they are taught in class. Practicle application, applying what you have been taught, is the best way to solidify learninng.

This is the same reason students in China, for example, seek out a foreigner to practice their English. "Hello. How are you. My name is Chang. Can I speak English with you?"

2). The second reason is that in a classroom setting there is little opportunity to engage in spontaneous dialog, this becuase the class time is primarily instructional. You teach in the class, you practice and study outside of class.

The purpose of English immersion is for the students to become fluent in English. If you don't like that, you are free to try and change the law that says English will be spoken in school. You have that right. But, in school, where the principal is in charge and charged with carrying out the law, the rule is English will be spoken bell to bell.

Quit pulling in the opposite direction.

You also write, What if children want to practice a little French for the French class? Or if they want to say a prayer in Latin or Hebrew? Or if friends or siblings like to speak their home language, or American Indian children want to speak their tribal dialect? Will you punish them, how?

You are taking your point to absurdity, but if there are infractions, a measured correctional approach is usually how you correct behavior. Is this really surprising to you?

And what will you achieve by doing this?

The kids will learn English
The kids will learn English
The kids will learn English
The kids will learn English
The kids will learn English
The kids will learn English

[A. Pole]

n the class, yes. But outside of the class it is not your or state business.

No, from bell to bell.

You are wrong. The children are not the property of the school or of the state or of you. Freedom with Spanish as a main language is better than English in a prison. Does the word fascism ring a bell?

[glc1173@aol.com]

"Get the sticker"

"And have your car vandalized. SOME of them can read english."

Nobody's vandalized my car. And I haven't had any problem finding buyers for the sticker; I've shipped over half my first printing of 500 to places as varied as Southern Kalifornia, Tucson, the Chicago suburbs, and suburban New Jersey.

Evidently some Americans are just more interested in their kids' future than you are - and willing to stand up for their kids having a future better than the Third World. You, though, are less worried about your kids having to go to ever-more-overcrowded schools in trailer classrooms than some slight imagined risk to your car.

Get the sticker!

[BJungNan]

You are wrong. The children are not the property of the school or of the state or of you. Freedom with Spanish as a main language is better than English in a prison. Does the word fascism ring a bell?

I don't get your points, at least not the "freedom with Spanish, English in prison" bit. I can not imagine learning English will find them in prison if that is what you mean.

As far as when the children fall under the control of the school, it is with the first bell and from bell to bell. If you don't believe that, try having your kids (presuming you have them) miss time between them.

And now that the discussion has sunk to the rediculas with your suggestion of fascisim, it is best to end it.

[A. Pole]

I don't get your points

Too bad.

And now that the discussion has sunk to the rediculas with your suggestion of fascisim, it is best to end it.

The word fascism has a precise meaning (even if most people use it as an insult). But you seem to miss this point too. So let us us end the exchange.

[A. Pole]

I don't get your points

Too bad.

And now that the discussion has sunk to the rediculas with your suggestion of fascisim, it is best to end it.

The word fascism has a precise meaning (even if most people use it as an insult). But you seem to miss this point too. So let us us end the exchange.

[Inkie]

"The playground has always been a place where the kids are free to speak their language

Fine and dandy. Their language NOW is English.

And what is this person's definition of "always?" When I was a kid, everyone spoke English in the playground, including all the immigrant children. If some of them didn't know English very well, the rest of us helped teach them. Sheesh! It's so obvious!

If this teacher wants to speak Spanish to the kids, she can do it when she runs into them down at the grocery store.

[RightOnline]

"said Rosi Terrazas, a third-grade teacher at Coe. "I always speak to kids in Spanish during morning recess.""

Well, Rosi, you babbling twit..........methinks you're part of the problem.

....and this is a teacher???