Bilingualism

In the Rethinking Schools article the author believes that denying a child to learn the language of his or her culture wrong. The author shows that throughout history the United States government has tried to deny the minority cultures that speak a different language, a chance to learn and then share with others. The author states that this current wave of suppressing different cultures began in California in 1994 with Proposition 187, which states that children of illegal immigrants are not allowed to attend public school. Later in the article the author states that speaking one’s language is a basic human and civil rights. The article states according to a majority of U.N. members believe that speaking your native tongue is a basic fundamental right afforded to all. (Rethinking Schools Editorial, 2010.) Rethinking Schools Editorial. (2010). Bilingual Education is a Human and Civil Right. Retrieved from http://www.rethinkingschools.org/restrict.asp'path=archive/17_02/Bili172.shtml The author clearly shows a sheer dislike of Rudy Giuliani. The article shows that Mr. Giuliani clearly does not agree with President Obama’s statement that every American should learn a foreign language. Mr. Giuliani stated that learning a foreign language is terrific but it would take away from Basic English. The author then states that English is the basic language of the U.S. and would not be affected by learning different languages. A key point that is brought up is to teach a Spanish speaking person to speak English; one must know how to speak Spanish. (The Huffington Post, 2008.) The Huffington Post. (2008). Giuliani: Obama's Support Of Bilingualism Reinforces Anti- Americanism. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/10/giuliani- obamas-support-o_n_111891.html In Canada becoming an official country has become a popular trend. 81% of those polled support that Canada is a bilingual country. (CBC News, 2007) In 2007, the Prime Minster of Canada was a native English speaker but chose to speak French inn events outside of the country to show the solidarity of the government in providing a two-language system. As of 2007 16% of Canadians were bilingual, up 10% from the 1960’s. CBC News. (2007). Plenty of support for bilingualism: poll. Retrieved from http://www.rethinkingschools.org/restrict.asp'path=archive/17_02/Bili172.shtml English only immersion teaching is becoming more of a big deal all around the country. Many states besides California are enacting English only teaching. This standard of teaching is based off Proposition 227 that California millionaire Ron Unz. And it has affected how education is being taught from Massachusetts to Colorado. According to Foxnews.com (Park, 2002) Unz has statistical data that shows standardized testing scores have risen after Prop 227 was enacted. However activist such as Della Pompa state that the rigid timelines that Prop 227 and the new laws of other states put on non English speaking people is to great and that moving in to English only classes should be based on the abilities to speak English. Park, M. (2002). Debate Over Bilingual Education Rages. Fox News. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,47223,00.html From these four articles I begin to see that there is much debate across the nation about the language we speak. While my primary belief is that everyone should speak English I have always understood that many different cultures breed many different languages. I do agree with Mr. Unz that the best way to equal the playing field among Americans is for us all to speak the same language. (Park, 2002) I also understand that learning in different language may slow down he English learning process, however I must agree with Ms. Bella as well. There should not be a timetable on how fast a person must learn English. (Park, 2002) Different people learn at different rates and while I may learn English at an accelerated pace my brother may learn at a slower pace and will take longer to learn. Canada however, is an example of how a two-language system can be a success. 91% of all Canadians think that their Prime Minister, arguably the most important Canadian the world gets to see, should be able to speak English and French so that he or she represents the entirety of the population. (CBC News, 2002) The system that Canada has accepted shows that a country can accept two languages and thus can accept others of differing cultures. President Obama has also showed an interest in the country learning different languages (The Huffington Post, 2008). The President has said that if Americans took 15 minutes a day to learn a foreign language that American’s would do better in a global economy. Overall what I have learned from this paper is that you must accept all peoples of all languages and even though I amy think tht English should be the official language that a two language system can be a success. I do not think that English should be the official language of the United States, as I did when I started writing this, due to the U.S. being a nation of immigrants and how the immigrants of today should not be held down due to a language. If my parents could not speak English would they have not come to America or would they have come and made a place for our family. I now believe that we all should speak English but we should accept everyone no matter what. References: CBC News. (2007). Plenty of support for bilingualism: poll. Retrieved from http://www.rethinkingschools.org/restrict.asp'path=archive/17_02/Bili172.shtml Park, M. (2002). Debate Over Bilingual Education Rages. Fox News. Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,47223,00.html The Huffington Post. (2008). Giuliani: Obama's Support Of Bilingualism Reinforces Anti- Americanism. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/10/giuliani-