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As a society, we are exposed to languages from across the globe.

As Americans are

generally only taught English as they are raised, people from other countries make an effort to

teach their native language at home, while teaching English at school. Other countries do this

due to the fact that English is a dominant language worldwide. Our job as a society is to jump on

board with this educational process, but ensure that non-English speakers are learning the

language correctly and fluently. Through programs like, bilingual education we are able to do so.

An exploration of bilingual education warrants a certain degree of knowledge in bilingualism,

culture, and the current education system established in the United States.I propose an extended

investigation of this topic because as a bilingual American, I can relate to the struggles the

students may face while in the process of learning two languages. I understand the importance of

learning English fluently to successfully live as a contributing member to American society. My

goal is to investigate bilingual education to make sure that it is effective.

Bilingual education first began in 1839 in Ohio where the law allowed for German-

English instruction only at the request of the parents and continued with Louisiana in 1847, New

Mexico in 1879, and so on. In 1906, Congress passed the first law requiring all immigrants

seeking naturalization to learn and know English. The federal government made its big move in

1968 requiring all schools to enact a Bilingual Education program. Funding was provided to by

the federal government for all schools who participated in the program. In 1998, California

banned bilingual education and enacted on proposition 227 where students were taught English

as quickly as possible in their English immersion programs. Only 16 years ago in 2001, the No

Child Left Behind Act was enacted, giving the option to parents to enroll their child in the
bilingual education program. The child would be enrolled in the program for 3 years, once

finished, the child would then move into regular English-only instruction regardless of the childs

ability to speak English. Bilingual education has come a long way from only being established in

one state to becoming an option for parents enrolling their child into school. The purpose of

bilingual education is to educate those students who have come from foreign countries and need

assistance in learning the English language. Often times, these students are taught in their native

language with some English references until they are able to be taught entirely in English.

In discussions of school and education, one controversial issue has been bilingual

education. On the one hand, those who are against bilingual education (teaching students in their

native language) argue that it is an ineffective way to teach our non-English speaking students

English and suggest a English immersion program (teaching students in English only). On the

other hand, those who are pro bilingual education contend that it is the best way to teach English

in a quick, efficient manner. Others even maintain the idea that some states benefit from one

program while others benefit from the other. However, in my own research I hope to demonstrate

that both programs contain beneficial factors.

When it comes to the topic of bilingual education, most of us will readily agree that it

sedates the English language learning process. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is

on the question of which is more effective and quick to pick up for the students. Whereas some

are convinced that bilingual education is the way to teach these students English, others maintain

that English immersion proves to be the victor in this battle . In my own research I hope to

demonstrate that English immersion is and proves to be the reign for the best English teaching

method.
Both points from either side can agree on the fact that knowing English is crucial

whether that be in English-only instruction or native-language-only instruction. ProEnglish

(2016), believes it is the responsibility of our public schools to teach non-English-speaking

children English as rapidly as possible.

One way in which both parties disagree is in which program offers the quickest, most

effective way to deliver the English language to each student. One party feels that teaching their

students in their native language will result in a better understanding of the language while the

other party feels that teaching students in english only will bring about a better understanding. As

Ron Unz (2016) explains, During the first four years following the passage of Prop. 227, the

academic performance of over a million immigrant schoolchildren taught in English roughly

doubled, while those school districts that stubbornly retained their bilingual education programs

showed no improvement whatsoever.

The topic of investigation is bilingual education. The exploration is within teaching the

students the English language through an untraditional approach. Instructors of bilingual

education operate by first helping the students acquire fluency within their native language, then

slowly transition to practicing fluency within English. The exploration is of this program and of

others with a similar goal. Through researching further, I hope to eventually determine which

program is a greater success. In my own research, I hope to I hope to explore questions about the

programs and their effectivity on the students. My three core questions are, what is the students

reaction to the programs untraditional approach?, how quickly do the students pick up the

English language fluently? and what struggles do students face within each program?. The

ASU Library will be my primary resource in conducting research on this topic. I will also turn to

Google scholar articles, as well as search for student videos on YouTube.


Considering that we are a nation founded on immigrants, it is expected to be exposed to

many different types of languages from around the world. In order to effectively teach our youth

the fundamentals of the English language, a program must be implemented throughout our

schools nationwide that will successfully do so. Whether that be through bilingual education or

english immersion, that is up for the public to decide. America is at an all time high with

individuals who are unable to speak English. Because of Americas diversity, most students

begin school or transfer over from a foreign country only knowing their native language, thus

needing to learn English as soon as possible. Without implementing some sort of program for

non-English speaking students, our nation runs the risk of illiterate citizens.

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