Pros And Cons Of Official Language Movement

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The Official Language Movement Dustin Dean ETH/125 May 11, 2011 Dr. Kimberly Millier The Official Language Movement The bilingual movement started in 1968 with the Bilingual Education Act. It was started by Ralph Yarborough a Texas Senator, it was to support the use of Spanish in schools along with the study of English. The bill was a help for the bilingual movement. The bill has been updated four times since 1968 and has helped schools support bilingual education by offering grants for supplies. English as a second language or ESL classes are offered for new students and full immersion classes are offered to the more advanced to help advance the movement. These classes help native speakers from both languages learn the others…show more content…
The dropout rates are astonishing and the report goes on to show that amazingly these children are given almost zero help or encouragement when it comes to getting any sort of assistance with their language skills. Grants in the millions of dollars range were eventually given for those who needed assistance with language problems. In the end it was not just the non English speaking students that were given assistance, but also the English speaking students that were also learning a second language. In The Pros of Bilingual Education (Maceri, 1999) out of Denver, CO the importance of bilingualism is looked over greatly. The fact that they are talking about doing away with the programs in all is what I find to be, quite shocking seeing as I took Spanish growing up. They call it the Anti Bilingual movement, but some states such as Texas and Arizona are refusing to participate and are keeping with teaching children a second language as to further their skills in life. As it says in the article, Education is a long term process and involves more than just the English…show more content…
While a good part of the House did not feel it was necessary to pay for such programs the majority of the House saw the importance it plays in every English speaking/non English speaking American and the opportunities it allows for in the future when it comes to communications. Around 500 political subdivisions in 31 states are forced to offer bilingual assistance after this vote came out with the majority supporting bilingual assistance. (Press, 2006) Of those 31 states only 5 must provide that assistance across the entire state. Those states being Alaska, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. In closing, the importance of bilingualism, from my point of view is evident in everyday life. Whether it be I’m pressing 1 for English to speak to a customer service representative or saying hello to someone who may not have English as their primary language, I am constantly coming across the importance of having that as an option for our future generations’

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