Bilingual Teaching at taxpayer expense

[gurutoo]

Should immigrant students in the US be taught English as a second language with their primary instruction and textbooks all being provided in their native language by bilingual teachers at taxpayer expense?

[Dufrel]

Permanently? No.

But there has to be some form of instruction in their native language until they become proficient enough to learn in English.

You do realize that legal immigrants whose children do not yet speak English are legal taxpayers as well yes?

[gurutoo]

Originally Posted by Dufrel

Permanently? No.

But there has to be some form of instruction in their native language until they become proficient enough to learn in English.

That form of instruction should NOT be secondary to English. I do not believe immigrant children should be taught ESL (English as a second language) with their primary instruction in their native language.

Originally Posted by Dufrel

You do realize that legal immigrants whose children do not yet speak English are legal taxpayers as well yes?

Pfft... Yeah buddy-that's bound to be a HUGE number...

[contracycle]

I think its most sensible to teach people in the language they understand best. What are the alternatives? Teach them nothing but english until they are fluent, so they have to catch up everything else? Teach in a language they don't understand, so they don't learn? How does either of those produce better educated, better integrated children?

[Neko]

If they're too old/inapt, no amount of specialised teaching'll insert them into the system well enough. If they're young/clever enough they'll pick it up without needing extra coaching.

Incidentally, if they are too old to be able to transfer well and fail as a result they should later be able to sue their parents for screwing up their education.

[Tom Joad]

It should be against the law to use any language other than English. When foreign languages are outlawed, only outlaws will use foreign languages.

[jonathan]

I think it depends on the age of child you are talking about, if they are 4-6 and are only in the early stages of schooling then English should be their prime ray language, however if they already have an advanced level of their native language then it should be thought primarily, but they must also be thought English through their native language.

[Fredfredson]

That form of instruction should NOT be secondary to English. I do not believe immigrant children should be taught ESL (English as a second language) with their primary instruction in their native language.

I agree.

I have no problem funding ESL programs so that these kids can be educated in English schools once they become proficient.

F