tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114632241605817287.post3310009006484284338..comments2023-05-08T05:51:39.273-06:00Comments on Life, by Merry and Dave: Bilingual EducationMerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03300680727390723075noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114632241605817287.post-81181623089000269252009-01-15T15:13:00.000-07:002009-01-15T15:13:00.000-07:00It's a sticky issue, isn't it? I agree tha...It's a sticky issue, isn't it? I agree that restricting the native language isn't the best solution; at the same time, I agree that high levels of English fluency can only help these students. I wouldn't stop teaching in their native language entirely, just require that some classes be taken in the second language. Bilingual education is the way to go, as long as the native language doesn't take its half out of the middle. <br><br>Of course, I wish that native English speakers were required to obtain a working fluency in a second language before they leave high school, too! (With bilingual teaching, until the second language can take over completely for relevant subjects.) I've been lobbying for THAT for a LONG time. :-DGeneilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805634615778066902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114632241605817287.post-79051668910104334592009-01-18T20:41:00.000-07:002009-01-18T20:41:00.000-07:00couldn't disagree more with you Merry. Sorry....couldn't disagree more with you Merry. Sorry. It is a deadly situation for me on my job when I can't understand what the suspect is saying. I certainly don't want that. I would love to see all things in this country move to english only. Let them use their native language at home but leave the workplace, school, and other government agencies english only. How frustrating it will be for everyone when all paperwork will have to be in 50 different languages.Craig and Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441713815679896551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114632241605817287.post-70143999571394689762009-01-19T18:02:00.000-07:002009-01-19T18:02:00.000-07:00I agree with you that using the native language is...I agree with you that using the native language is not a great idea in all situations. But in an educational setting, where we're supposed to be giving these kids the best chance they have for learning and jobs in the future, and when we spend millions of dollars trying to teach English speakers other languages, I don't think that there should be a double standard.Merryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04672357262258297668noreply@blogger.com