The English Only Debate

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Running head: THE ENGLISH ONLY DEBATE The English Only Debate Roseann Mazik Grand Canyon University The English Only Debate What is the English only movement? On the most basic level, it is the movement to pass constitutional amendments at the national and state level to make English our official language. These attempts to make English the official English language have created a bitter debate between those for and against the movement. Each side believes their position will make for a stronger more unified America. However, because of strong emotions, the goal on both sides has become a mixture of historical facts, myths and half truths. (Bosiak). Some supporters of the English only movement believe that current policies such as bilingual education are deterring people from learning English. The current English-Only Movement, which states that English be the official and only language used in the United States, influences the lives of ESL students, their families and the teachers that work with them (ERIC). English only supporters state that bilingual education is ineffective and actually hinders the academic progress of children. Research indicates that ESL has academically benefited bilingual instruction. When language minority students fail, it is more likely from too little instruction in their native language than too little English. A long term national study has documented higher student achievement in developmental bilingual classrooms than in transitional bilingual or structured English classrooms. The opportunity to use speak their own language affects the educational and cognitive development of language minority children. Like native English speakers, language minority children go to school with many well developed skills in their first language. These students are also able to use the first language for culturally
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