Language & Education Policy Language, Culture, and Society

Unit 2 Final Paper - Format The paper should be 4 pages long, typed, and double-spaced. Use standard font such as Times New Roman, Times, Helvetica, or Ariel. Font size should be 12 points and paper margins should be 1 inch. Include the paper title and your name on the first page, and a header throughout the paper containing page numbers. Save the paper in the appropriate folder on your flash drive.

Unit 2 Final Paper - Structure The paper should have (at least) the following sections: Introduction: one to two paragraphs summarizing the main points. Methodology: one to two paragraphs providing: listing the demographic information of the interviewee explaining the relationship between interviewer and interviewee describing the interview context and situation Data analysis: this should be most of the paper (at least 2 pages). Apply at least two key concepts from the class to the issues discussed in the interview. For each key concept, provide specific details and examples from the interview. Make a clear connection between your evidence and the concept. Discuss its significance in terms of the purpose of your paper. Include at least two direct quotes from the interview to support your main points. Conclusion: one paragraph that wraps up your paper. This can be in the form of a summary or concluding remarks and final thoughts.

What is Bilingual Education? Definition: Using two languages to teach academic content Why is bilingual education used? Teaching English Acculturating immigrants to a new society Preserving a group’s linguistic and cultural heritage Teaching English speakers a second language Developing national language resources

Bilingual Education Policy Laws about bilingual education have been appearing nationally since 1839 1968- Bilingual Education Act Provided federal funding to encourage local school districts to try native language instruction 2001- No Child Left Behind Act Requires teachers of bilingual education be fluent in English and any other language used in class Gives parents choice to enroll children in bilingual education program What do we know that was occurring in the 60s? (civl rights movements) NCLB: 3 yr time limit of bilingual programs After a student has been in school for 3 consecutive years, English only instruction must commence, regardless of the student’s English speaking ability

State Level Policy Ohio- 1839 Texas- 1969 Hawaii-1978 First state to authorize a bilingual education law for German-English instruction Texas- 1969 Texas Legislature passed the state’s first bilingual education bill Repealed the “English Only” laws of 1918 which made it a misdemeanor for any teacher to use a language other than English in school Hawaii-1978 Some bilingual schools: English & Hawaiian Pidgin Creole Hawaii- some schools

California Language Policy Prop 38 (1984) – required election ballots in English only, but ruled unconstitutional Prop 63 (1986)- made English the official language of CA Prop 187 (1994)- denied public services (health care and education) for undocumented immigrants, but ruled unconstitutional Prop 227 (1998)- banned bilingual education within CA 1980s there was a large increase in immigration- to CA specifically - different cultures bring diff langs - Prop 38– unconstitutional because denied right to vote based on language discrimination Prop 63: How many of you think the US has an official language? What do you think it is? What about CA? - Prop 227 Still in place today; allows parent request bilingual ed Children in CA should be taught English by being taught in English But currently has a 92% failure rate because students not leaving on time

Language Teaching Methods English Only Methods Submersion (aka “sink or swim”) Structured Immersion (aka “English Second Language/ESL”) Bilingual Education Transitional Bilingual Education Maintenance/ Development/ Additive Dual Immersion Submersion: Used until 70s and may still be used today No direct language learning assistance Problems? Structured: After prop 227 ESL instruction where learners learn English but in English Transitional In & Out; move into mainstream classes early Aka “Subtractive” b/c tends to elimintate fluency of home language Maintenance Goal is to help students develop their native lang skills as well as English Dual Immersion -teaching native speakers and nonnative speakers academic content in both langauges; proven as most effective

Bilingual Education and Language Ideologies ENGLISH ONLY BILINGUAL EDUCATION English is the language of the ‘real world’ English as symbol of ‘American Culture’ Standard English Unity Diversity in the real world Bilingualism opens doors to jobs; higher pay Language connected to culture More well rounded when you know more languages What are some ideas, thoughts, opinions, attitudes that people have about language that would influence why people would advocate for English only or Bilingual education Eng Only: English is the state language “If you come to America, you should learn our language” Forced accomodation Value of english Symbol of unity; we will get along better if we speak english Promote assimilation Discourage immigration Bilingual Ed: Values of other types of languages & cultures Language as a resource for education America is diverse

Bilingual Education: the Debate ENGLISH ONLY BILINGUAL EDUCATION American society- need English Easier to have one standard form of speaking Simple (bilingual education is confusing) Cost of bilingual programs Stigma- “others” students No incentive to learn English if allowed to embrace native language Large population is bilingual Important for linguistic records Maintaining culture & language use Strengthens literacy in native language & English Knowing languages expands brain capacity Globalizing world English Only: Costs for bilingual teachers/ textbooks other opportunities to learn languages, not in school illertacy in native langauge Bilingual Ed: - uses first lang as a resource Eng only leads to loss of home language Learning different languages triggers other parts of the brain and expands brain capacity and increase ability to learn Eng Diff lang knowledge beneficial in future Dialects of English/ slang: allows students to connect with material Don’t feel excluded from school Students have a right to be taught in a language they understand

Conclusion Language ideologies, attitudes, and beliefs shape policy decisions that are made Education is one of the strongest institutional ways to restrict or promote language use What are you final thoughts on bilingual education or english only education? Would you have liked to be taught in a bilingual education program? Have any of you ever had any experiences with bilingual education? What about allowing other dialects of english in the classroom?

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