McKay Chapter 2 & 3

I was introduced into a new perspective by learning about Britain and their English education. The British policies were to mainstream immigrants and not show separation among students. It argued that the withdrawal classes “establish and confirm social and racial barriers between groups” (32). Moreover, if students were to be segregated then that would highlight the differences between the students and may cause more problems among the groups of students. 

On the other hand, the critics of the Swann Report state that it promotes linguistic assimilation, fails to recognize the link between the first and second language development and also fails to see the connection between language and culture. The main belief behind the idea is that if the students are not separated then the students will lack behind because they are not being adequately taught and language policies are not being well implemented. The United States favors the withdraw programs for ELLs and many are not aware of what bilingual programs really are therefore they are opposed to it in the school system. Bilingual education is controversial because it will come with change in the schools and in the community. I feel that a lot of people are afraid of the change that can occur and they feel that immigrants will take over the dominant culture and language. I want to find ways to advocate for the education of language minorities because ultimately they want to go to school and not all of immigrants are here to do bad things like they are stereotyped to do for example to steal, get in gangs, prison, etc. I would like to get involved in the communities to learn more about my culture and unite with surrounding communities to help support bilingual education. Moreover, the demographics will continue to shift especially if it is estimated that Latinos will make up 50% of the U.S population in the year 2030.

In our many bilingual classes we have discussed the controversial case study of Lau Vs. Nichols. The case came about when 12 Chinese parents protested and filed a claim again the school system because their students were denied bilingual education because there weren’t enough student to provide the adequate support of instruction. Cases like this aren’t completely out of sight because in our classes we discuss how bilingual classes are not provided unless there are at least 20 students who share the same language. I believe that it is unfair because if there were for example 17 or 19 students of the same language they would not be provided with a bilingual education instead they would just be given aids or be placed in pull out programs. This becomes harder for students who speak Korea or polish because it would become harder to find 20 students in order for them to receive the services that they deserve.Hopefully things change in the near future because many students would benefit from these bilingual programs.