I fell in the love with the Spanish language and culture in the eighth grade during my first year of learning Spanish. Since then, I have always had at least one Spanish class every semester. Although I experienced challenges along the way, learning the language was relatively easy for me. However, it was not until I studied abroad in Seville that I began to develop speaking proficiency. It did not matter to me if I could read and write at an advanced level if I could not communicate with native speakers and maintain a conversation. Although I have known for a while that I wanted to be a teacher, it was not until my study abroad experience that I realized that I wanted to teach Spanish so that I could transfer the fervor of the language and culture that I have to students in Georgia.
Throughout my time in Spain, I have personally witnessed the emphasis that is placed on learning English. This necessity is not only placed on the younger generation, but it is also placed on those who are already in college or who wish to advance in their careers. Therefore, many parents are investing in their children by placing them in bilingual schools, paying for extra English tutoring, or paying for an English-speaking au pair to live with them. Especially due to the existing economic crisis in Spain, a pre-intermediate level of English is required for employers to even consider you.
In the same way that English is viewed as a valuable language in Europe, I believe that Spanish is viewed
In “Teach Them Spanish Early, Too”, Carlene Carmichael argues that a second language should be offered to Americans. Carmichael seeks equality for everyone and she wants the same opportunities of also being taught a second language. Children are learning English so other children should be taught Spanish. In addition, Carlene Carmichael states that she feels sorry that many Americans that are applying to jobs are at a disadvantage because they cannot speak Spanish. I agree with some of Carlene Carmichael’s arguments, but many qualifications listed do not require Spanish, the applicants just need to have experience working.
By including a personal example of a bilingual student in the South, Carsen proves that his research is credible as the title of the article is “Bilingual education in the South.” In addition to his interview with a student, Carsen also interviews an English as a Second Language (ESL) specialist and a worker of the state education department to gather different viewpoints on the matter. Incorporating interviews with specialists in foreign language and education adds to Carsen’s credibility because his argument revolves around these two elements. Carsen also includes his
It has been proven that it is much easier to learn a language when you are younger, but practice makes perfect. In order to do well in the class, I had to study frequently to help understand and remember words, which is normal. I think learning Spanish helped me understand the culture. In class, we learned about holidays they celebrated, such as, Cinco De Mayo and the Day of the Dead. This helped me understand what they valued.
Spanish is the most common language that English Language Learner (ELL) students speak or understand, and is quickly becoming an important language in the United States of America (US). (López & González-Barrera, (2013). Massachusetts is home to a large and growing population of Latino ELL students (Fry, & Gonzales, 2008, Rennie Center, 2007). These students come from diverse national, socioeconomic and linguistic backgrounds. Some may be highly educated, others may have had very limited or no formal education.
In the essay, "Aria: Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood", Richard Rodriguez explains his opinion on bilingual education based on his own childhood experience. He provides reasons why it would be retrogressive to permit the non-English speaking children use their family language as the language in school. In defending his positions, he provides three ideas to support his position: • The use of family language impedes child’s social growth. Insistence on using Spanish language at home made Rodriguez and his older sister and brother to be socially disadvantaged at school.
Spanish was my first language and neither one of my parents knew english. I would go to school and just listen and try to learn every little thing I could get my hands
In her article, “Teach Them Spanish Early, Too,” Carlene Carmichael questions why young Californians are not being taught a basic understanding of both the English and the Spanish language. Carmichael contends that more job opportunities are available to bilingual applicants. She suggest that children could be taught both languages together from a young age. Carmichael pities the many Americans who are barred from employment at bilingual businesses because of this disadvantage and she wonders if anyone else feels the same. Carmichael’s suggestion to offer Spanish curriculum to young children and teach both English and Spanish at the same time makes a lot of sense; After all, California does recognize both English and Spanish as official
Most Americans speak one or two languages. However, with 162 languages spoken in the United States, English is often not a common language. If America were to have a national language, it could create connections that can help the nation and stop the discrimination non-English speakers. A common language that is spoken in a nation can bring different cultures and traditions together. To have English as America’s main language can increase economy.
Rodriguez’s English was not the best, and because of that he would either be silent or quietly mumble when asked to participate by one of the nuns (73). Since his lack of participation was noticeable and showed little progress, some of his teachers visited Rodriguez’s home to ask his parents to “encourage your children to practice their English when they are home?” (73). Rodriguez one day walks in on his parents speaking Spanish, but when they see him they switch to English, which offends and over the days that follows angers him enough to decide to seriously learn English. Rodriguez even willingly decides to participate in class (74).
Identity Crisis In “Se Habla Espanol” by Tanya Maria Barrientos, speaking multiple languages at the time of Barrientos being a child, was not perceived as a bonus on your job application. When she was just three years old she was moved to the states and her parents completely stopped using Spanish and taught their children English. They did this in order to provide a better education for their children in America. They knew that if they spoke Spanish, they would be perceived as poor individuals.
His narrative shows this support and how having instruction in Spanish and English allows him to have higher academics. In less than ten years, one third of students attending public schools will not know English when starting Kindergarten. Are schools and teachers ready for this and will push for bilingual instruction? Is America ready for this? As for now, there is mixed perspectives.
“No Comprendo” (“I Don’t Understand”) is a newspaper article by Barbara Mujica, a professor of Spanish at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. In this article, which was published in the New York Times, Mujica argues against bilingual education (teaching students in their native language as well as in English). No Comprendo Last spring, my niece phoned me in tears. She was graduating from high school and had to make a decision.
Some of the kids I observed only understood or spoke Spanish and some others only knew sign language. Since I only speak English I found it challenging but so rewarding
With nations becoming increasingly connected through mediums like the internet, the world has changed substantially within the last decade. It’s a time where Spanish songs such as Luis Fonsi’s Despacito can top the American music charts, where traveling to the other side of the world takes a few hours instead of weeks, and more importantly, where states like California and Utah are continuing to promote and provide for a growing demand for bilingual education through dual-immersion programs. Although the states have great strides in the right direction, bilingual education should not be encouraged but rather be required for K-12 students. Because bilingual education integrates languages into the student’s lifestyle through instruction, it enriches the lives of children, the adults they will become, and the community to which they will contribute to.
There are many of these groups, and the community really appreciates having a native English speaker. It allows people in the community learning English the opportunity to hear an American accent, and practice speaking with a native speaker. The language exchange also gives me the opportunity to be a cultural ambassador to the community. I will benefit from being an English Teaching Assistant because it will allow me to learn new teaching styles within a different educational system. In addition, living in Spain will allow me to immerse myself in Spanish culture and society, improving my Spanish speaking skills.