Submitted by Rhonda Browning (not verified) on July 28, 2006 - 01:30.
Bilingual education is probably best for kids who are just beginning to learn the language, but some will survive in immersion and supportive programs. These are usually the brightest chldren or those whose families are integrating well. They are goign to succeed whether they get a quality education or not. For some, however, their home language is so different from English or they are just a little slower and it is just going to take time---just like teaching a slow learner to read or a child with ADHD to pay attention.
Even six months behind is too much in this accountability based world especially since no child makes very little accommodation for children with special needs and is quick to punish, slow to accommodate schools that are not predominantly middle class and English speaking.
I remember a child who came in my class when I was in the third grade. He was from Iceland. He spoke not a word of English and at lunch time the teacher pointed to her teeth. Oskar grew up kind of mean and hateful toward others even though he picked up social English pretty quickly. I stayed away from him because of his attitude so I don't know how he did in his school work. I wonder if he would have had a more positive outlook with more nurturing and an ELL teacher.
You can do all the "tough love" you want by throwing kids into immersion and expecting them to keep up, but just like using that cruel method of teaching kids to swim, some are going to drown. In school that is called dropping out.
Bilingual education is
Submitted by Rhonda Browning (not verified) on July 28, 2006 - 01:30.
Bilingual education is probably best for kids who are just beginning to learn the language, but some will survive in immersion and supportive programs. These are usually the brightest chldren or those whose families are integrating well. They are goign to succeed whether they get a quality education or not. For some, however, their home language is so different from English or they are just a little slower and it is just going to take time---just like teaching a slow learner to read or a child with ADHD to pay attention.
Even six months behind is too much in this accountability based world especially since no child makes very little accommodation for children with special needs and is quick to punish, slow to accommodate schools that are not predominantly middle class and English speaking.
I remember a child who came in my class when I was in the third grade. He was from Iceland. He spoke not a word of English and at lunch time the teacher pointed to her teeth. Oskar grew up kind of mean and hateful toward others even though he picked up social English pretty quickly. I stayed away from him because of his attitude so I don't know how he did in his school work. I wonder if he would have had a more positive outlook with more nurturing and an ELL teacher.
You can do all the "tough love" you want by throwing kids into immersion and expecting them to keep up, but just like using that cruel method of teaching kids to swim, some are going to drown. In school that is called dropping out.