What do you think about dual language instruction in elementary school?

Answer 1

I think it's wonderful! It is SOOOO much easier for little ones to learn a second language than for an older student or adult, and to start at the primary level is great, whether it's English as a second language, or Spanish or French for our own English speaking kids. My youngest daughter had three years of Spanish by the time she reached high school! Her uncle is married to a woman from Columbia, South America, and my daughter can converse fluently with her aunt at age 15.

Answer 2

As long as it's DUAL learning, and not segregated between the English-speakers and the Spanish-speakers, I would support it. It should part of a program to encourage non-English-speaking children to come to school and to learn English while learning other things, and they should be phased out of the program as they progress. Learning everything in Spanish doesn't help them at all if they want to become working adults in the USA. That would only be good for them if they wanted to get an education here and then return to wherever they immigrated from, in which case I have to ask, why should our tax dollars pay for that? But the dual system could work, and might even spur interest for the English-speaking kids to learn Spanish as well.

Edit: I see now that while I assumed you meant Spanish, the first few answers assumed you meant ebonics... and if you're talking about ebonics, that I have to disagree with. Ebonics would not be dual "language" instruction, it would be instruction in bad English. If you don't know how to communicate in real English, you'll never advance out of your current socioeconomic status. No one can become a CEO, or be elected President, or hold any job in which they are accorded respect if all they know how to speak is ebonics.

Answer 3

I think it is a brilliant idea. Children that are so young are able to learn another language so much easier than adults. And let's face it, we're one of the most stubborn countries about learning another language. In most other countries in the world, a lot of people are bilingual. It seems most bilingual Americans have learned English as their second (or third, etc.) language. I know some people say that children should master English first, but a lot of grammar rules are the same across the Romance languages. I learned a lot more about English grammar from taking Latin than I ever did in an English class. I think one of the best things we could do for children is teach them another language in elementary school.

Answer 4

English is the primary language spoken in America, and I think that it is the only language that should be supported in public schools.
I think if parents want their child to learn or use a language other than English, they should teach them on their own or hire a private tutor. I don't think that it should be covered in public, government-funded schools.

I think that being bilingual is great, but I don't think that it should be mandatory. There are enough problems with getting American students to learn the proper use of the English language, without the added pressure of learning a foreign one.

I am a future educator, and I recognize that language barriers propose many issues in the classroom. However, I think we need to set a universal standard about what languages are acceptable.

Answer 5

All normal courses should be taught in English. Non-english speakers should spend 1 year learning nothing but English and then re-integrated into normal classes.

That said, however, all elementary school students should learn to speak Spanish. It's easier to teach children a second language when they're that young, and a language that allows them to communicate with most of our neighbors to the south - not to mention a substantial portion of our population - is eminently practical.

Answer 6

It's very rediculous to teach two languages at that age instead of having them master english first. I don't care if spanish speaking people are a majority in some places, this is America and you will either learn and master english in order to function or you can have fun having a hard life and trying to get people to translate for you because you were too lazy. We have enough problems in our school system as it is, do we really want more problems? We need to force these people to stop being lazy and start learning English in America. At least they can function without pissing alot of Americans off.

Answer 7

i dont think too much of it-- if i were going to study in some other country, i would learn that language well enough to be able to communicate before i went there.

Answer 8

i think this is a wonderful idea, let's face it we are all here black, white and every other nationality,so why not. the notion that one race will disappear is ludicrous,so we may as well learn how to communicate,why leave our children,out of the loop.

Answer 9

what....you mean english and the so called ebonics.....hell no. ain't be no way fo a kid to be. Talkin' like he got no sense. and always gotta be axing sumtin. Pardon me, but I think not.

Answer 10

I think everyone should know english,if they want to live in the us!