Bilingual Education

Persuasive Essay # 108402

Education > ESL
Education > Multiculturalism
Education > Teaching Methods

Bilingual Education

A discussion on the necessity for bilingual education in the interests of the country's inhabitants.

2,741 words () | 14 sources | APA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the importance of offering bilingual education in US schools. The paper maintains that, because of the ever increasing numbers of English language learning students present in the American school system, the topic of bilingual education must be addressed. The paper relates that research into bilingual education has proven that it is the best way for ELL students to learn the language while maintaining literacy in their own native tongue. The paper argues that, in order to create a successful system, not only do we need to remove the misconceptions regarding ELL students and develop programs that will work for all students, but most importantly teachers need to be prepared and supported in order for the classroom experience to be successful.

From the Paper:

" The first immigrants to this country were primarily northwestern European. With the abundance of land and the tendency for national groups to stay together in order to preserve their traditions language was not much of an issue. With the second wave of immigration to America, largely from southern and eastern Europe, the problems began. The original settlers began to fear for their customs and traditions when the new groups began to move in."

Sample of Sources Used:

Abella, R., Urrutia, J & A. Schneyderman. An Examination of the Validity of English Language Achievement Test Scores in an English Language Learner Population. Bilingual Research Journal. 29(1), 127-44.
Baugh, J. (2002) Educational malpractice and the sociopolitical concerns of language- minority students. Southwest Journal of Linguisitics. 21, 25-36.
Crawford, J. (2005) No Child Left Behind: A Misguided Approach to Accountability for English Language Learners. NABE News Vol. 28(3), 3-11.
Da Silva Innings, A.C. (2005) Linguistic Access and Participation: English Language Learners in an English Dominant Community of Practice. Bilingual Research Journal. 29(1), 166-83.
Escamilla, K., Chavez, L., & Vigil, P. (2005) Rethinking the Gap: High Stakes Testing and Spanish Speaking Students in Colorado. Journal of Teacher Education. 56(2), 132-144.