English Immersion

[TERRIBLETOM]

Back in November the citizens of Massachusetts voted in English Immersion, the result will be that all pupils in public schools will be required to learn English first. I for one voted for English Immersion and support it. I'm curious to what other states have all ready implemented this or is up for vote and what your views are on it...

[sbp]

I'm not sure if Maryland has done this.

Yeah I support English Immersion. The problem was kids were graduating high school unable to speak English. As a result they were getting stuck in dead end jobs.

[Ladogaboy]

I'm not very familiar with the program that you are referring to, so by being "required to learn English first." you mean that students must "master" English before they can be admitted into the regular classroom?

If so, I am somewhat in support of it, given one concession. ALL students--regardless of whether or not they are native English speakers--must "master" the same English standards as non-native speakers before they, too, are allowed into the regular classroom. Otherwise, this just sounds like a way of tiptoeing around civil rights and segregation laws.

I still have my reservations, however, because many things are not as good in practice as they are on paper. Also, one of my biggest concerns is that this will give legal justification to the atrocious actions of certain school districts who use tests to segregate their students and classes.

[TERRIBLETOM]

Originally posted by Ladogaboy
I'm not very familiar with the program that you are referring to, so by being "required to learn English first." you mean that students must "master" English before they can be admitted into the regular classroom?

If so, I am somewhat in support of it, given one concession. ALL students--regardless of whether or not they are native English speakers--must "master" the same English standards as non-native speakers before they, too, are allowed into the regular classroom. Otherwise, this just sounds like a way of tiptoeing around civil rights and segregation laws.

I still have my reservations, however, because many things are not as good in practice as they are on paper. Also, one of my biggest concerns is that this will give legal justification to the atrocious actions of certain school districts who use tests to segregate their students and classes. I'm not sure how it will all progress because it was just voted in, I do suspect it will not start until the next school year starts up again in September.

[sbp]

Here is a link that explains English Immersion
http://www.ack.net/IM/current/2840news_storypage.html

[Ladogaboy]

Thanks sbp.

I still have my concerns, however. I've seen some of the best looking proposals turn into nightmares for the students and teachers. :(

If this system could be implemented without fear of abuse by teachers and administrators, I'd be all for it.

[faither]

I'm all for it. There were no multi-lingual ballots or signage or services when my relatives came to this country. While it was difficult for them, it made learning English a priority. My fear is that today, with what amounts to catering to new immigrants, there is no longer this sense of urgency. IMHO...This slow immersion or lack of assimilation as it relates to language is one of the greatest reasons new immigrants face prejudice.

[Ladogaboy]

Originally posted by faither
This slow immersion or lack of assimilation as it relates to language is one of the greatest reasons new immigrants face prejudice.

Yeah, and such a great justification for prejudice too, isn't it. :rolleyes:

[faither]

It surely isn't. After physical appearance, though, it's the first impression we give off and many people are scared by people different than themselves. It's not right...just human nature.

[gwilks98]

I like the sound of that. I think we need a national language, and I think it OUGHT to be English. My dad told me all fighter pilot manuals around the world are written in English, because of it's descriptive capabilities.

Unfortunatly, I believe the very idea of a national language is unconstitutional, and if it is, your vote could very well be overturned by a more liberal federal court.


....now, if we could only get New York, California, Texas, and Florida to adopt this law. Now THAT would be progress.

[Ladogaboy]

Originally posted by gwilks98
....now, if we could only get New York, California, Texas, and Florida to adopt this law. Now THAT would be progress.

Read sbp's link. :hmm:

[TERRIBLETOM]

Originally posted by gwilks98
now, if we could only get New York, California, Texas, and Florida to adopt this law. Now THAT would be progress. I thought that California did try or is in progress of trying out English immersion.

[gwilks98]

There I go again...mouthing off my ignorance. That doesn't really sound like something California would pass. I'm impressed.

[Ladogaboy]

Originally posted by gwilks98
There I go again...mouthing off my ignorance. That doesn't really sound like something California would pass. I'm impressed.

I don't think that it was legislated; I think that some individual school districts have been experimenting with it. It hasn't been implemented in any of the districts where I have worked. :shrug:

[TERRIBLETOM]

Originally posted by gwilks98
There I go again...mouthing off my ignorance. That doesn't really sound like something California would pass. I'm impressed. You'r being to hard on yourself, I am the same way and thats what they tell me.