Bilingual Education: Building Bridges Essay example -- Education

Bilingual study, as an pedagogicsal program, was initially promoted by educators in the seventies (Hunger of Memory 26) and since then has been a topic of many debates in America. Some argue that bilingualist rearing only serves as a detriment to American culture. Others argue that bilingual education is dependable to those who dress to live in America and want to become a founder of the culture, but lack proficiency in the English terminology. Two authors, who substantiate each taken opposite sides of the debate on bilingual education in America, are Richard Rodriguez and Ariel Dorfman. Richard Rodriguez believes that bilingual education creates a feeling of distinctness between foreign language speakers and American society therefore, bilingual education delays the formation of a public identity. In contrast, Ariel Dorfman argues that bilingualism in America ordain be a bridge to better understanding other cultures. I assume the position of being neither, against or enti rely in kick upstairs of bilingual education. I am in favor of bilingual education because it can be an effective segue to learning the English language and I believe it is very important to remain connected with our familys language and culture. However, I also recognize the negative feeling of sharpness from the larger public that bilingual education can have on foreign language speaking families, which hinders my ability to fully embrace bilingual education. Ariel Dorfman is an Argentinian author who struggled throughout his life to find a agreement between the Spanish and English languages. As a result of Dorfmans bilingual journey (Heading South 25), he argues that bilingual education is beneficial to American society. Dorfman believes that bilingualism will serve as a ... ....---. Heading South, look North. New York Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1998. PrintGarcia, Maria E., Ofelia Skutnabb-Kangas, Tove Torres-Guzman. Imagining MultilingualSchools Language in statement and Globalization. Clevdon, GBR Multilingual MattersLimited, 2006. Web. 17 Apr. 2012.Hadi-Tabassum, Samina. Language, Space and Power A Critical numerate at Bilingual didactics.Clevdon, GBR Multilingual Matters Limited, 2006. Web. 17 Apr. 2012.Rodriguez, Richard. Aria A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood. Conversations Reading forWriting. Ed.Gack Selzer. 5th ed. New York Longman, 2003. 153-166. Print.---. Hunger of Memory The bringing up of Richard Rodriguez. New York Bantam Dell, 1983.PrintSalomone, Rosemary C. True American Language, Identity, and the Education of ImmigrantChildren. Cambridge, MA Harvard University Press, 2010. Web. 17 Apr. 2012.