Are English Language Only Laws Really Helpful?by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger 25 Nov 2006 07:19 PM For those of you who are not familiar with English Language Only Laws, it is a hot button in bi-lingual education. Should children whose primary language is not English, be required to speak only English not just in class, but anywhere on school property? The law includes time on the playground, time at lunch, and during after school programs. A student cannot ask questions in Spanish nor can his teacher's translate for him, nor can they have Spanish/English materials in their classrooms (think of those number lines that have "one" on top and "uno" on the bottom.) On the outset, this seems like a good idea right? I mean, if you are going to immigrate to this country, you should learn English within a reasonable time frame. After all, conventional wisdom says that kids who are fully immersed will pick up English in no time. However, research suggests that kids do better in the long run when they've achieved literacy in their native language first. Although I have never taught ESL, I have struggled in a classroom full of students whose primary language was not English. English language only laws, make it harder for teachers to do their jobs well and ensure that every student can learn. While immersion is obviously critical to acquiring a second language, it is also critical for the student to understand what's going on. Too Strict It is true that the quickest way to learn to speak a foreign language is to be immersed in the culture and have to speak it day in and day out. However, it takes years to learn a foreign language well enough to be able to think in that language. It is a natural response for kids to speak their native tongue on the play ground or among their friends or anywhere else where they don't understand something. Not to mention the fact that they are undoubtedly speaking their native tongue at home. It is one thing to say that only English will be spoken in the classroom, but an entirely a different issue altogether to discipline students who speak their native language in passing. It is likewise unrealistic to expect teachers who are bilingual not to use their skills in helping their students understand such subjects as science, math and history. Academia vs. Regular Speech Anyone who is bilingual will tell you, there is a pretty big difference between academic speech, academic reading, and "playground speech". Advocates of English only laws claim that the difference is between slang and proper English but that over simplifies the issue. It is entirely possible for students to master basic English and even learn to read basic English. Most students would be able to communicate on the play ground within a matter of months. However, there is an obvious and distinct advantage to studying all subjects in your native tongue. A Novel Idea What I would like to see happen in what I will term, "ethnically rich" schools, is for teachers who have to teach second language learners to sit down with the board and begin to make policies. To me, this is the only thing that makes sense. ESL covers a very large spectrum of classrooms and teaching situations, and it is definitely not a one size fits all proposition. Related Articles: Something to Talk About: Foreign Languages in American Schools Bilingual Students: The Challenges Teachers Face Learn more about Valorie Delp  Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line. Relevanteducation tags User Comments  Lessly (57396) 25 Nov 2006 07:07 PMWhile I agree that at school children should be taught English only and encouraged to spreak english, you cannot "force" a child to speak English 100% of the time. If he/she chooses to interact with other children that speak their language then let them. Isn't it going against everything that people have fought for to have the freedom of choice? How can one say you are a "free" society if you are dictating what someone can and cannot do. They are not doing anything to harm anyone by speaking their language. I like your Idea of an ethnically rich school. This is a great idea! It would teach tolerance to our children and to respect people of different cultures and backgrounds. Thank you for posting this :)  Valorie Delp (49340) 25 Nov 2006 07:17 PMI agree. I think the law originated with the idea that immersion is the most effective technique to teach a foreign language and that's true. . .if you're a business person and need to get around. But "getting around" at the supermarket is a lot different than learning science or math. In any case, it has been my experience that I am more effective as a teacher when the kids know that I speak their language. It helps build rapport. . .among other things. And thanks for liking my idea--too bad no one at the board of education would want to listen to me! ;-)  Tracy Woods (772) 27 Nov 2006 11:33 AMI'm back and forth on this issue. I do think the laws are a bit strict. I mean, they need to take into account kids that are JUST starting to learn English. Although immersion programs certainly seem to work for kids that travel for exchange programs! Should children have to struggle and do poorly in school just because they are just starting to learn English? Perhaps a better idea would be to allow things to be translated for them..but then TEACH the student the English required and have them repeat the question in English. Same with responses to their questions. Some sort of compromise...immersion without causing undue stress and struggling. There are schools in some states (my niece went to one in MA) that are ethnically rich. I forget what they called it specifically, but they had students from ALL walks of life, and teaching bits and pieces about all the different cultures was part of the cirriculum. She loved it there! Valorie Delp (49340) 27 Nov 2006 08:54 PMThanks Tracy. Part of the problem with that type of translation is that you're likely talking about classrooms of at LEAST 25 kids--all with varying levels of competency in English--and you'd never get anything done going back and forth all day translating directions. I have seen a lot of success with partial immersion programs. These work in one of two ways: either students take some subjects like reading and math in English, and things like science and history in Spanish; or even better is to take the little ones who have thus far learned their native tongue and teach them to read in their native tongue first and THEN transfer them over to an Englsih only program. However, I still think the best thing would be to let the teachers who have to teach decide. Where I live, it would make much more sense to have English only bc you cannot possibly expect to have a translator for all the languages represented. You'd have as many adult translators as you'd have students. However, there are schools that are predominantly Spanish/english--and "bilingual" classroom would work a lot better. In any case thanks ladies! I love getting comments! Community Tags bilingual education, esl, English only laws, issues in education Discuss this article
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