'English only' gains support - la educación bilingue en escuelas - TT: bilingual education in schools

Bilingual education in public schools appears to have lost favor--and if present indications persist, "English Only" will be the new order of the day.

Example: California, a state that has 1.3 million students with limited English skills. In that state, opponents of the existing system of bilingual education are exhibiting overwhelming support to end the two-language method of teaching.

To the surpirse of some, and the chagrin of many--that group apparently has strong backing among California voters of all races, ethnicities and political persuasions.

If English-Only is instituted, all public school instruction will be conducted in English. Students not fluent in English will be given a short-term English immersion program.

Support was in the 75 percent to 80 percent range virtually across the board, among all races, income levels and age groups. Latino voters surveyed in a recent opinion poll favored reverting to the English-Only teaching system by an even higher margin--84 percent to 16 percent--than whites who were surveyed--80 percent to 18 percent.

In California, the skirmish will be resolved when the proposal is placed on the 1998 campaign ballot. lf bilingual education is scrapped, it will reflect the general consensus that 'if you want to make it in an English-speaking society, it is essential to speak the English language!'

COPYRIGHT 1997 Hispanic Times Enterprises
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group