Educators as futurist
Educators are generally futurists. It is in the nature of an educator to think about the future for students and to try to prepare them by using the knowledge and skills that is accessible today. Since the begining of formal education, bilingual education has been a source of debate. Immigration, poverty and language barriers are the same topics we struggle with today and as we also did in the past. To understand bilingual education for the future, we must understand why this program formed and for what reasons. Bilingual education formed as a result of the innequalities in the flawed educational system and a quest for the equality of opportunity. There is no one commonly accepted vision of bilingual education, but those thinking about a new vision tend to emphasize similar themes, such as globalism, multiculturalism, biliteracy, high academic expectaions, respect for parents and community, and bilingualism as an opportunity for all.
All students including English- dominant students should have the opportunity to learn to read, write and speak in two languages. Good bilingual programs are based on a respect for diversity and multiculturalism, and not just about learning a language. One of the key rationales for a bilingual program is concern for academic performance. Children whose first language is not english, loose academically if they don't have the chance to learn content area-- math, science and social studies, in their native language while also learning english.
There are many programs used in schools today, that seem to have gotten a grip on bilingual education and the methods they use are exceeding expectations of the state. For instance, an example of an exemplary program model would be Coral Way Elementary School in Miami, Florida. Coral Way is one of the nation's oldest 20th century bilingual school, and one of the most succesful in the nation. The students score at or above the district, state and national averages on standardized tests. A Two-Way program is implemented and benefits the community by maintaining the home language of all it's students while exposing them to the second language at a young age.
Most of the problems of testing English language learners might become less stressful if we simply have patience and give students the opportunity and support to first learn English and then learn academic content. Let's encourage schools to adopt high-quality language programs that ensure that English language learners become the well-educated bilingual citizens that the United States so desperately needs. And let's remove the burden of preparing English language learners for state tests from teachers so they can focus instead on their students' linguistic, cultural, and academic needs.
As educators, we must remember that the reasons why students might need bilingual education, are the same reasons why the caregivers of the students might need it as well. Schools have tried many approaches and tests in figuring out what makes bilingual education work, but when school is over and those children go back home, schools are back to square one. Teaching the caregivers of the students, will prove beneficial to the student, school, caregiver, community and to society. To be a functional member of society, we must learn to fully undrstand each others needs.
There are a few schools that offer ESL for parents and caregivers for free. This will allow the caregivers of the students to help themeselves and their children progress in school and in life. Most often it is the parents who are learning from their children. Being able to help our children in school will be less stressfull for the students, the parents, and teachers. Parents who are able to be involved in the education of the
Chaudry, Kelly. 2012. Bilingual Education: Past, Present, Future. http://cnx.org/content/m33197/latest/.
Ginn, Janel D. (2008). Bilingual Education. Detroit, New York, San Francisco, New Haven Conn., Waterville, Maine, London: Thomson Gale & Greenhaven Press.
Minner, Barbara 2007, New Vision for a New Era. Retrieved from: http://www.rethinking schools.org.special_reports/bilingual/newera.shtml.
All students including English- dominant students should have the opportunity to learn to read, write and speak in two languages. Good bilingual programs are based on a respect for diversity and multiculturalism, and not just about learning a language. One of the key rationales for a bilingual program is concern for academic performance. Children whose first language is not english, loose academically if they don't have the chance to learn content area-- math, science and social studies, in their native language while also learning english.
There are many programs used in schools today, that seem to have gotten a grip on bilingual education and the methods they use are exceeding expectations of the state. For instance, an example of an exemplary program model would be Coral Way Elementary School in Miami, Florida. Coral Way is one of the nation's oldest 20th century bilingual school, and one of the most succesful in the nation. The students score at or above the district, state and national averages on standardized tests. A Two-Way program is implemented and benefits the community by maintaining the home language of all it's students while exposing them to the second language at a young age.
Most of the problems of testing English language learners might become less stressful if we simply have patience and give students the opportunity and support to first learn English and then learn academic content. Let's encourage schools to adopt high-quality language programs that ensure that English language learners become the well-educated bilingual citizens that the United States so desperately needs. And let's remove the burden of preparing English language learners for state tests from teachers so they can focus instead on their students' linguistic, cultural, and academic needs.
As educators, we must remember that the reasons why students might need bilingual education, are the same reasons why the caregivers of the students might need it as well. Schools have tried many approaches and tests in figuring out what makes bilingual education work, but when school is over and those children go back home, schools are back to square one. Teaching the caregivers of the students, will prove beneficial to the student, school, caregiver, community and to society. To be a functional member of society, we must learn to fully undrstand each others needs.
There are a few schools that offer ESL for parents and caregivers for free. This will allow the caregivers of the students to help themeselves and their children progress in school and in life. Most often it is the parents who are learning from their children. Being able to help our children in school will be less stressfull for the students, the parents, and teachers. Parents who are able to be involved in the education of the
Chaudry, Kelly. 2012. Bilingual Education: Past, Present, Future. http://cnx.org/content/m33197/latest/.
Ginn, Janel D. (2008). Bilingual Education. Detroit, New York, San Francisco, New Haven Conn., Waterville, Maine, London: Thomson Gale & Greenhaven Press.
Minner, Barbara 2007, New Vision for a New Era. Retrieved from: http://www.rethinking schools.org.special_reports/bilingual/newera.shtml.