Do you believe that we are responsible for paying the cost of non-english-speaking children in our schools?

Question

I know an immigrant that speaks English quite well, and yet she is teaching her young daughter Spanish instead of English. This is going to come out of our school tax dollars eventually. Why should we have to pay for this? Why do we have to pay extra for teachers that speak Spanish, when this is the United States?

WOW, how am I suppose to choose the best answer here? So far, I have been very provoked and educated at the same time.

Answer 1

i don't believe its my or any ones responsibility.. if your gonna live in the united states speak read and write the language do not intentionally give your child a handicap

Answer 2

I support english-only instruction in american schools, and then teach other languages in high school...likewise I believe that all official business in the US, including government, should be conducted in english ONLY. Furthermore, I think Mexico's ultimately going to end up speaking english. Half the world does, and they're neighbors and all, diversity shmiversity, if you brought your kids to the United States, it's pretty much inevitable they're going to end up speaking english. They can cry a river about that all day long, but hanging onto spanish is hanging onto the past. Spanish isn't even the REAL native language of the americas, just one of the earliest dominant ones. The native americans in the americas learned spanish from the spanish conquistadors, often at sword-point. Well, now english has become the international language of business, and this IS the 21st century,
and stuff, I'd say if they have an issue with the english language, they can write a letter to the queen of england and whoever runs spain these days, and try and sue em for damages...might be a while before they get a response on THAT letter! LOLOL

Mexico is going to get modernized, and part of that is going to be learning english...whether they want to, or not...

Answer 3

Ok, first of all I do not agree with bilingual teaching, when I started kindergarten (back in the dinosaur era) I did not know english because my parents whom came here illegally (gasp!) didnt know the language to teach their children, all of whom were born here(yes, I am an anchor baby!! lol) and so therefore without the bilingual teaching one was basically forced to learn the language and at a much faster rate. Now, those of you complaining that all your tax money is going towards their education, you are right and bilingual teaching does slow down the process of learning the language, I will give you that. But do not say that they are not learning it, I will give you just one example. I know a family who came here illegally just four years ago with their three daughters, the oldest started her freshman year in high school here, now keep in mind that the older you are the longer it may take to pick up the language, well to make a long story short, this girl not only learned the language, she graduated this past june with honors and EARNED a scholarship to a university here in S. California. Now while I know that this case may be the exception compared to all those that fail, why not also complain of those fortunate enough to have been born in this country and who throw their life away on drugs and such only to end up in the welfare system anyways?! Or are these cases ok because they did not come over illegally??!!

Answer 4

I agree to some extent that the mother should teach her child English as well as Spanish, only because she already knows English.

However, in defense of all of those Spanish-speaking parents, who don't yet have a fluent grasp of English, the United States has NOT declared English its official language. Thus, failure to try to teach a child who speaks another language is against the law. Secondly, when my father-in-law was in school, his books were in Norwegian and English. I don't think there was any fuss about it; it was just understood that Norwegian immigrants were still learning English. It was understood that they would assimilate and learn the language and eventually the bi-lingual books would no longer be necessary--which is exactly what happened. I believe the same is true for Spanish. While some would argue that there is no incentive to learn English if the books are bi-lingual, there are bi-lingual ballots, etc., I believe that the children of immigrants will learn English due to immersion and the fact they generally want to assimilate. Finally, arguing that tax payer dollars should not be used to hire a teacher who speaks Spanish, etc. is a very slippery slope. Again, I think in this particular instance that expense could be avoided since the mother already speaks English and could teach it to her child. However, if we're debating ESL teachers in all instances, I think we need to be very careful about analyzing how much tax dollar money goes for different kinds of students. One could easily start to argue against special education, which consumes a much larger portion of tax payer dollars than ESL, I can assure you.

Answer 5

The US is generous enough in bridging the gap of the language barrier of the immigrants. The process will only be effective if addressing the issue starts at home. These kids should be groomed at home to speak their language, as well as English. The earlier the acquisition of both languages is better for the children, understanding that one defines your cultural background and one unifies you with other ethnic groups.

There is no reliable cost analysis of bilingual programs and its effectiveness. With the the rate of the hispanic population growth of three times than the rest of the country, they should make the consensual effort to be not the minority model for highschool drop outs despite the use of bilingual programs.

The concept of total English immersion implementing it as the method of instruction would seemed to make immigrant kids work harder but will be much more effective in the long run. Giving them other option is quite debilitating.

Answer 6

What do you care if she teaches spanish to her child?My mom taught me spanish when i was smaller and there hasn't been a day that I haven't thanked her for it.Because of that I'm now bilingual and am able to obtain a better job.In case you never read any article about the learning abilities of children you will find out that small children can pick up any language easily.This in no way will mess the child up but will help them.If her mom teaches her spanish at home and she hears english at school she eventually will be able to differentiate the two and speak both languages.The problem here is that you have too many people who want things to be easier for them and therefore want their children taught in their language,wich I don't think is right.Children are not stupid and if forced to learn something they will learn it,but if not forced to then they won't.Being bilingual,trilingual or whatever lingual you are isn't bad,its bad that the children aren't forced to also learn English,wich is the language that is mainly spoken here.

Answer 7

I believe that English should be the official language of The United States. Then, perhaps we wouldn't feel obligated to teach or cater to specific groups. If I intended to reside in another country, I would feel obligated to speak their language; for respect if nothing else. If this gets out of hand, we may see in the near future; "push one for Spanish (or whatever) and TWO for English!"

Answer 8

If we got rid of bilingual education, and instituted English immersion for all children who do not speak English, that would get rid of the cost. Next time you see her, tell her 30% of non-English speaking children drop out of school, and even more will not continue to college. She came her so her kids could have a better life, I would assume, it would only make sense to teach her the things that will benefit her future.

Answer 9

i can see both sides. there is a sizable Russian-speaking settlement a few miles north of where i live. dont get me wrong i love the people there, they are sold out Christians and they are really cool.
But some of the children cant speak English too well, so they have to have translators in school. the money it takes to give these children "special" treatment could go a long way towards hiring another teacher.
On the other hand, if these children do poorly in school, theyll end up on welfare or in prison for the rest of their lives, so i guess its cheaper to give them a proper education.


just my 2 cents,
Possum

Answer 10

Not every non English speaker speaks Spanish and, in fact, there are more than 10 other languages in our school system. In addition, most children who are learning to speak English in the US are legal immigrants.
for your information the have always been bilingual schools in the US and the first were teaching in
German in Pennsylvania. (look it up). My father went to a public school in Massachusetts and the language of instruction was French. That was in the 1940's.

What bothers me is that this "immigration debate" is a cover for the prejudice and racism that we Americans can not seem to overcome.

Answer 11

I do not want sound rude, but this is a touchy subject that could offend some people. Personally, I do not feel as tax payers that we should be forced to learn Spanish as a second language...this is America, we speak English, and I feel anyone coming from another country, should learn our language, just as we would if we were in their country. We should NOT have to conform for someone entering our country. I do not like the idea of my taxes going for someone to be paid more to be bi-lingual when this America. They should be taught English, how to read, speak, and understand it. Years ago this would have never happened.