Abstract
This research examines the attitudes of a sample of Saudi students living in Melbourne toward their bilingualism as it specifically relates to their ability to speak English. It should be noted that English is considered a foreign language for all participants in this study. The first part of the research provides a general overview of the literature on bilingualism, and the reasons individuals or groups become bilingual. The second part of the study discusses the importance of attitudes as a major factor in the process of language learning. The last part of the paper presents the data collection and data analysis methods used and the findings of the conducted research.

From the Paper
"This research examines the attitudes of a sample of Saudi students living in Melbourne toward their bilingualism as it specifically relates to their ability to speak English. It should be noted that English is considered a foreign language for all participants in this study. The first part of the research provides a general overview of the literature on bilingualism and the reasons individuals or groups become bilingual. The second part of the study discusses the importance of attitudes..."

Tags:bilingualism, attitudes

Abstract
This paper looks at the issue of bilingual children, who are brought up speaking English at home and then are required to learn the language of the country they live in - in this case Malta. The writer describes the aims, methods and limitations of this small scale pilot study, designed to explore the attitudes of these children towards the idea of 'bilingualism'. After analyzing the resulting data, the writer gives recommendation for further research. The paper includes graphs, diagrams and an Appendix in the form of a letter of consent.

Outline:
Introduction - The Research Question
Selecting a Research Design
The Questionnaire
The Variables
The Sample
The Interview
Feedback from Pilot Study
Data Analysis
Results - beyond Statistical Analysis
Conclusion

From the Paper
''In Malta, the constitution specifies that Maltese and English are co-official languages, Maltese being our native language and English having been passed on to us by the British Colonial Powers (1880 - 1964). Borg A, Mifsud M, Schiriha L (1996) claimed that 90% of the population acquire Maltese as a first language and that in most cases both languages are used interchangeably by parents and children at home.
"However, although officially the Maltese language has been given more importance than the English language, in many social contexts English seems to be the dominant language (Camilleri 1996).''

Tags:bilingualism, attitudes, language, education

Abstract
This paper discusses how different ethnic and cultural groups influence the process of bilingualism. The paper focuses on the effect that bilingualism has on children. The paper identifies immigration and intermarriage as the two main ways that children become bilingual. The paper distinguishes between two different kinds of bilingualism: fluent bilingualism, if a child speaks both languages fluently; and limited bilingualism, if a child doesn't speak any of the languages well.

From the Paper
"In the discussion part of the paper Schecter discussed the relationship between family language environment and the development of bilingualism in different sociolinguistic contexts. She also pointed out the importance of parents' attitude toward bilingual education and success of their children in bilingualism. Parents experience the events associated with language use day-to-day life as enablers of, or constraints to, the maturation of their children's identities as social and cultural beings."

Tags:language, mother, tongue

Abstract
This paper discusses the commonly held belief that the United States is a monolingual nation. The paper challenges this notion and discusses the importance of bilingualism. In particular, the paper discusses the importance of bilingualism in terms of education and describes how official bilingualism within the educational system will benefit students and therefore society as a whole.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Historical Background
Monolingualism vs. Bilingualism
Bilingual Education Options
The Controversy
A National In-Decision
My Proposal
Conclusion

From the Paper
"As far as bilingual education goes, it is clear that the results of studies are somewhat inconclusive when lumped together. However, the people being affected by the decisions should be the ones who vote on which way to go. Is this not a democracy? As a future educator, I feel that if the people decide which form should be used in their state and/or in their school district and they have the option to switch school districts, it would alleviate much stress. Although these proposals may be hard to implement and may cause much headache until they are sorted, the end result would truly be worth it. The world is getting smaller everyday and if the US wants to continue to hold such a strong position, then knowing other languages is essential. English may keep us unified, but knowing other languages will keep us powerful."

Tags:prejudices, proficiency, curriculum

Abstract
This paper explains that bilinguals are not inferior to monolinguals in any way; however, there still exist various stereotypes against bilinguals, which range from the claim by professions, such as speech therapists and medical doctors, that hearing two or more languages in childhood causes language disorder and language delay to the idea that bilinguals are slow learners and are losers in life. The paper reports that in order to fit themselves into school and society, some young bilinguals begin to learn English and, as soon as they have learned barely enough to get by, use their home languages less and less until they gradually lose it totally: This phenomenon is first language loss. The author stresses that first language loss is not a "necessary or inevitable outcome" when children acquire a second language.

Table of Content
Introduction
Bilingualism
Types of Bilingualism
Studies on Bilingualism
First Language Loss
Process of First Language Loss
Consequences of First Language Loss
Fostering a Positive Linguistic Environment
Conclusion

From the Paper
"From these accounts, it is apparent that two major consequences of first language loss lie on family relationship and the crises of self-image and cultural identity. As far as family relationship is concerned, there is a lot of "shame, anger, frustration, and embarrassment attached to the loss of a first language". To the individuals, a negative self-image was common, resulting either from coming from non-English speaking families or being an outsider of their own ethnic group. At the same time, these people are usually haunted by the uncertainty of their own identity, because they are unable to identify themselves with either their home language culture or the dominant English culture. Besides, along the process of growing up into monolinguals in English, they were all neglected, isolated, and despised in one way or another. Life has been a constant struggle to them simply because they happen to have been born into non-English speaking families."

Tags:family, culture, english, self-image, law

Abstract
This paper examines the challenges of bilingualism in a child's life. The author argues how the presence of two languages can impact expression in different settings and amongst different groups of people. This is especially true in the context of the classroom. The writer also considers dialects as a form of bilingualism. Teachers are encouraged to teach using standard English while respecting their students' linguistic diversity.

From the Paper
"Thus, bilingualism and diversity is a reality in the United States, and this is true, perhaps even more so, in California. Bilingualism alone produces not simply many languages but many dialects. Spanish is one of the most common languages other than English spoken in the United States. (Chaika, 1994, p.35) Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Dominican-American children may make up a teacher's classroom, and depending if these bilingual students are first, second or third generation, may speak with a different level of English and Spanish fluency. Between even their own forms of Spanish, however, there will many regional differences in dialect and vocabulary. Thus, teacher cannot even assume a natural cohesion between all Spanish speakers in the classroom, but approach every child from his or her own unique cultural and familial context."

Tags:Sociolinguistics, dialects, diversity

Abstract
This paper relates that, because of the personal value of stronger cognitive benefits, positive character development advantages and increased self-esteem in bilingual individuals, Arabic-English bilingualism for Arab children must be included in the earliest curriculum. Next, the author underscores that bilingual students create a powerful link to cross cultural understanding and develop greater tolerance towards different creeds and customs. This paper concludes that being bilingual is highly valuable to the individual; therefore, it should not be considered something that just happens in the course of raising children but rather parents and teachers should plan carefully to introduce early bilingual language development.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Literature on Bilingualism
Meanings of Bilingualism
Implications
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In terms of academic benefits, bilingual children have been found to perform better than their monolingual peers. It has been rightly asserted by Bialystok (1998) that children who learn foreign languages at an early age have clear advantages in terms of reading ability. It is known in this regard that there is no critical period for acquiring language skills and it is always beneficial to learn new languages. For a four year old child it is easier and faster to reach the appropriate competing level for new languages as compared to a 13-year-old teenager."

Tags:controversy semilingualism, analytical attitudes, cross-cultural boundaries, families

Abstract
This paper discusses growing diversity in the U.S. and the need to reshape our conception of literacy to include bilingualism. The paper confronts fallacies concerning bilingual education and the need to teach bilingually.

From the Paper
"As societies shift and flux with time, it is necessary to alter the guidelines for literacy accordingly. If, as a nation, the United States desires to maintain a proficient level of literacy amongst its population as a whole, then it must be willing to move forward and make the necessary changes. Such changes are clearly taking place now in the United States, in the form of increasing ethnic and lingual diversity. As has been shown, our brains are clearly capable of adapting to such a change. Bilingual education is the next step."

Tags:CUP, brain, language

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the entire world is undergoing a major change with the increase in globalization and becoming a flat enterprise. The writer also discusses that it will be pertinent for future generations to know more than one language to succeed in their careers, regardless of what these occupations may be. In addition, the writer maintains that the U.S. is far behind other countries in terms of knowing other languages. The writer concludes that for the U.S. to remain a successful economically competitive country, it will have to promote more language acquisition among children.

From the Paper
"Over the years, as scholars attempted to define bilingualism, different theories were suggested. For example, in order to conceptualize linguistic organization in bilinguals, in 1953 Weinreich made a distinction between compound and coordinate bilingualism. The compound bilingual had one semantic system and two language codes, and the coordinate bilingual had two semantic systems, and two language codes. Compound bilinguals acquire their languages in a joint context and are thought to store linguistic information interdependently. Coordinates instead acquire their languages in separate contexts and are considered to maintain independent linguistic stores. However, this concept was later negated, because semantic systems often overlap and actually sometimes converge. Today, people do not see the difference so much as distinct semantic systems as they do separate cultures."

Tags:languages, semantic, system, populations

Abstract
This essay talks about bilingualism in Canada and the response to the official languages act which made the provinces use both English and French. This essay is based on research taken from book sources and articles from the Globe and Mail. According to this paper, not only is it an issue of language, but also of culture and outlook.

From the Paper
" Canada is a country that was founded by two different groups of people; Anglophones and francophones (Aboriginals and other groups have been largely ignored in most accounts). Anglophones are English speaking Canadians and francophones are French speaking Canadians. Besides speaking different languages and having different cultural backgrounds each group saw its position in Canada differently. For example, in "The First Century" Kenneth McRoberts states, From the beginning, English-speakers and French- speaker have seen Canada in fundamentally different ways. At the time of Confederation, most Anglophones saw themselves as members of a British nationality that transcended the boundaries of the new Dominion, whereas most francophones identified with a Canadian nationality that fell considerably short of these boundaries (McRoberts 2)."

Tags:official, bilingualism, canada