Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost.nifl.gov [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.8.7/8.8.5) with SMTP id RAA03276; Mon, 17 Nov 1997 17:55:29 -0500 (EST) Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 17:55:29 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <l03020901b095a50c32af@[204.48.132.12]> Errors-To: lmann@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Dr. Zulmara Cline" <evenstrt@fillmore.sbceo.k12.ca.us> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:1516] RE: English Only Discussion X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Status: RO Content-Length: 1975 Lines: 39 As a scholar/practitioner in the field of second language acquisition who also directs a family literacy program, I'd like to respond to Heide. There is no doubt that there is failure among bilingual education programs, however, the UNZ initiative is capitalizing on the lack of any sort of implementation of even mediocre bilingual programs. Yes, there is large scale failure among Hispanic/Llatin/Sspanish speaking children, but many of these children are not receiving the benefits of a bilingual program. We do not have the qualified teachers in this State to provide quality bilingaul programs for our children. We do not have the administrative support for bilingual programs, nor do we have a true understanding, among many monolingual policy makers of what bilingual education is and can do. Unz can claim that children are failing, but if he did his homework, he would see that children are failing because they do not have a primary language support system in place. In regards to parents, they too are concerned about their children and do want to see them succeed. They do realize the importance of learning English, however, in my program we do stress the role that parents can play in maintaining the primary language as their children learn English. For me the scary part is the lake of understanding among lay people of what an immersion program is. It is not, has never been and was never intended to be a one year-learn Englsih on the Fast Track program- Imersion programs were designed as well articulated-longterm-dual language programs with many safety nets and supports in place. If Unz passes, it will be up to us, practitioners in education, to see to it that these so called One Year Immersion programs do not further harm our children and create a permanent underclass. Food for thought I appreciate these discussions, I am using them in my teacher preparation courses. Zee Cline Even Start Coordinator Lompoc Unified School District
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