2007-02-22 09:27:38 · 5 answers · asked by Gavilan 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
People who favor it only do so out fear and ignorance. It prevents people who do not speak English at home (immigrant and domestic born alike) from achieving and it further divides society along racial and linguistics lines.
2007-02-22 10:06:49 · answer #1 · answered by idonross 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At present, it is...ok. Not good, but then again, not bad. Using only one language in teaching helps make sure that concepts come through clearly to all students. Some languages have trouble with certain concepts.
However, this is untenable. Not only is there a huge influx of Hispanics entering the country and the school systems every year, but we as a nation have joined the world society. While english is the language of business, not everyone will speak it.
There are those that say that French is that language of business and at one time, it may have been. However, not so much any more.
The problem lies in the practice of a multi-language system. Does this mean that some students are taught in one language, and others in another? Or will all students be taught in both? Which two languages will be used? Sure, there are a lot of Hispanics in the country, but the same could be said for Germans, Italians, Asians...the sheer number of languages is tremendous. Not to mention that amount of effort it would take to make students fluent in another language.
It can be done, and it should be done, but the way we have our schools set up, a multi-language system will require a lot of work.
On a personal note, I know several people that several years of foreign language classes, passed, and can barely ask for directions to the loo.
2007-02-22 10:19:50 · answer #2 · answered by Fierybird 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many shortcomings in the public education system and I'm not sure that its English-only nature is a significant problem. It is hard enough to find good English-speaking teachers, people who can maintain order in the classroom, and people who can motivate the students to want to learn, follow ethical practices, etc., that I would be shocked to find that another language could be added without bankrupting the school finances.
Unless people are willing to pay substantially more in property taxes, I think we are stuck with an English-only system.
2007-02-22 11:20:29 · answer #3 · answered by hgherron2 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that the monolingual system is dated, at best. At worst, it is detrimental to foreign students, and isn't helping american students develop the foreign language skills that they will likely need in the future.
2007-02-22 09:32:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it's fine as long as they teach everyone to speak at least one more language. ;-)
Being multilingual is a blessing. We gain a greater understanding of culture and the world around us be expanding our ability to speak multiple languages.
2007-02-22 09:34:22 · answer #5 · answered by the foolish fox 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋