I believe that all children should have the opportunity to learn a second language in their elementary years.
I believe this because I grew up as an English language learner and I am currently a product of this exposure to a second language. I am a bilingual. I have seen first hand what a difference a second language can make. I went to school in this country and learned English but my parents always made sure that we always spoke Spanish at home. My experiences in elementary school and high school were very English only. In fact, I used to get in trouble for speaking Spanish. Even as I joined the workforce my boss told me that I wasn’t allowed to speak Mexican in the kitchen. By this point I had experience defending my language and quickly informed him that the language was Spanish, not Mexican and that I was going to speak the language that I chose to speak and that he could speak the one language that he knew how to speak.
When I grew up and decided to become a teacher I learned more about language, some of the different things that have affected Spanish speakers throughout U. S. history, and about being a bilingual teacher. Very early on I was given the advise to not get a BCLAD credential. That teacher’s rationale was that if I received a bilingual credential I would have no choice but to work with “those” kids. I am glad I didn’t take her advice. Even though I received this bad advice I didn’t listen to it. I still earned my BCLAD.
I know that I stated that every child should have a second language opportunity. Having said this, I believe that society is not ready for Mexican children to be bilingual. When Mexican children come to the United States they are pushed to learn English and almost always at the expense of Spanish. Mexican children should learn English only. This doesn’t apply to non Mexican children. When non Mexican children learn Spanish it is seen as an addition to their list of skills or a great opportunity. I see that there is a double standard here. So if a child comes to this country with a language other than English this language should be fostered and promoted together with English.
I believe this because this is the only way that Mexican people can change their status and the status of Spanish in this country. I am a product of this type of upbringing. The difference is that my school experience didn’t promote Spanish, my family did. My parents believed that we should be able to speak both English and Spanish and they did everything in their power to make sure that we spoke Spanish at home.
I believe this because I grew up as an English language learner and I am currently a product of this exposure to a second language. I am a bilingual. I have seen first hand what a difference a second language can make. I went to school in this country and learned English but my parents always made sure that we always spoke Spanish at home. My experiences in elementary school and high school were very English only. In fact, I used to get in trouble for speaking Spanish. Even as I joined the workforce my boss told me that I wasn’t allowed to speak Mexican in the kitchen. By this point I had experience defending my language and quickly informed him that the language was Spanish, not Mexican and that I was going to speak the language that I chose to speak and that he could speak the one language that he knew how to speak.
When I grew up and decided to become a teacher I learned more about language, some of the different things that have affected Spanish speakers throughout U. S. history, and about being a bilingual teacher. Very early on I was given the advise to not get a BCLAD credential. That teacher’s rationale was that if I received a bilingual credential I would have no choice but to work with “those” kids. I am glad I didn’t take her advice. Even though I received this bad advice I didn’t listen to it. I still earned my BCLAD.
I know that I stated that every child should have a second language opportunity. Having said this, I believe that society is not ready for Mexican children to be bilingual. When Mexican children come to the United States they are pushed to learn English and almost always at the expense of Spanish. Mexican children should learn English only. This doesn’t apply to non Mexican children. When non Mexican children learn Spanish it is seen as an addition to their list of skills or a great opportunity. I see that there is a double standard here. So if a child comes to this country with a language other than English this language should be fostered and promoted together with English.
I believe this because this is the only way that Mexican people can change their status and the status of Spanish in this country. I am a product of this type of upbringing. The difference is that my school experience didn’t promote Spanish, my family did. My parents believed that we should be able to speak both English and Spanish and they did everything in their power to make sure that we spoke Spanish at home.