Many people view the increasing number of interracial marriages as a sign that racial taboos are crumbling and that the distances between groups in American society are shrinking." (Qian, p
They are best known for their contribution to the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, the completion of which united the country economically and culturally." (Wei, p
Take, for example, the following excerpt, taken from an article on the "Intellectual Conservative" website, entitled, "Fast Track Assimilation Could Offer Escape from Poverty": Fluency in English is an obvious first step that alone creates more opportunity than any other element of assimilation, since it not only increases an individual's marketability but makes possible the further acculturation upon which future progress rests. Immigrants have a long road to travel under the best of circumstances, and bilingual education programs that retard their entry into the English-speaking world serve only those who make their living teaching in such programs (Myers, 2004)
The simple truth is, a majority of those who oppose bilingual education are famously right-wing and typically Republican. In fact, under virtually every Republican Administration, issues of bilingual education have consistently been maligned (Ostrom, 1998)
.We must stop the practice of multilingual education as a means of instilling ethnic pride, or as a therapy for low self-esteem, or out of elitist guilt over a culture built on the traditions of the West (Pitsch, 1995)
g., Eastern European Jews), many in the second generation may have entered college (Rothstein, 1998)
While many workplace environments have resources specifically for effective conflict resolution these can always be effectively supplemented and expanded through bilingualism. Research demonstrates that while some bilingual skills tend to improve productivity, full bilingualism can make workplaces fundamentally more conflict free, with benefits for both individuals and the company as a whole (Padilla 2002)
& #8230; in foreign languages for babies and children. (Walton, 2007) Other nations require their students to learn at least one foreign language as young children: There is no reason why American children should not be held to the same standard and thus share in the same potential benefits as students in other nations
This is an important consideration given the wide recognition today that a student's cultural background influences his or her cognitive and academic skills. Indeed, as Vygotsky pointed out in his sociocultural theory of learning, relating students' personal experiences to classroom content can, and does, facilitate better understanding of subject matter (Brisk, p
" Thus, it appears that sacrificing Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students' native language is unnecessary to teach them effectively in English. Equally significant is the research finding that native language instruction can be helpful in overcoming other obstacles to academic achievement such as poverty, family illiteracy, and social stigmas attached to culture or minority status (Crawford, 1998)
Psychologically I was at a loss. I remember becoming very introverted." (Lemberger, p
Recently, however, the issue of bilingual education appears to have grown somewhat contentious. This is evident by the initiatives taken by the States of California, Arizona, and Massachusetts to replace bilingual education with English immersion programs, and the likelihood of other States soon addressing the issue (Lipka, 2002)
This is evident by the initiatives taken by the States of California, Arizona, and Massachusetts to replace bilingual education with English immersion programs, and the likelihood of other States soon addressing the issue (Lipka, 2002). The move to replace bilingual education with English immersion programs is perhaps understandable in the light of mixed research findings on the efficacy of bilingual education (Rothstein, 1998)
According to a book entitled Bilingual Education: From Compensatory to Quality School. The American school system often treats bilingual students as if they are inferior because they do not speak English as a first language (Brisk & Brisk)
However, some educators have come to some conclusions concerning this question. Some believe that bilingual education programs should be limited to one year (Calhoon et al
Children in families from Latin American countries (Latino or Hispanic) in particular are one of the fastest growing foreign-born groups in our schools. It is estimated that 78% of English language learners (ELLs) in Grades K-12 speak Spanish (De Ramirez, Shapiro, pg 356)
Others believe that bilingual programs should last for two or three years. While some argue that the extent of the bilingual education should depend upon the age of the child (Ryan)
This is not to suggest that bilingual education programs do not present any additional problems to often-strained educational systems and communities whose identities might already be endangered by increased assimilation and/or encroachment. It has even been suggested that bilingual education can in some instances have the effect of diminishing a certain sense of civic responsibility and shift priorities to a life outside the community (Hu 2008)
It has even been suggested that bilingual education can in some instances have the effect of diminishing a certain sense of civic responsibility and shift priorities to a life outside the community (Hu 2008). In addition, there are financial and other practical problems attendant upon implementing and sustaining bilingual education programs, and these programs must continue during adolescence and early adulthood if they are to be truly effective, exacerbating these practical problems (Krashen 1997)
The sheer cost necessary to implement bilingual education is also seen as prohibitive by many communities, especially in rural areas where educational resources are already limited (Hu 2008; Mora 2006; NABE 2009). The factors affecting cost are numerous and not always easily identifiable; in addition to the purchasing of bilingual textbooks and other instructional supplies, there is often a perception that bilingual instruction leads to a greatly increased workload and number of class hours, and therefore a greater overall strain on the often-tight budgets of public education institutions and districts (Mora 2006)