Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: BJungNan
The language that is to be spoken in school - during class, recess, in the halls, bell to bell - is English.

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

What if children want to practice a little French for the French class? Ot 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? And what will you achieve but doing this?

75 posted on 08/23/2002 5:10:10 AM PDT by A. Pole
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies ]


To: A. Pole
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

83 posted on 08/23/2002 9:18:08 AM PDT by BJungNan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson