\”Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the world\’s work, and the power to appreciate life.\” – Brigham Young

The following article is a summary of the Candidates’ Views on Bilingual Education, taken from Education Weekly. Five democrats running for U.S president back the idea of a bilingual education system and two Republicans running opposite it, according to the Hispanic Link Weekly Report. (Maybe it’s time I start rethinking my policicial views!). The following quotes are what the Hispanic Link Weekly report learned when it posed the following question to the staff of 17 politicians completing in the presidential primaries that began Jan. 3: “What is your candidates’s position, if any, on bilingual education?”

What do the Democrats have to say about Bilingual Education?

Let’s hear from Hilary Clinton (THE Hilary Clinton)
Fabiola Rodriguez, the Clinton campaign’s Hispanic communications director stated the following on Clinton:  ”Senator Clinton support the notion that children will learn more efficiently by being taught in their native language while learning English at the same time. ”

Cliche? I think so.

How about Bill Richardson. What does he have to say?
On behalf of Bill Richardson, Katie Roberts, deputy communication director stated the following: “Bilingual Education is a part of guaranteeing equal education for all American students!”

To her I say, Amen! I’m thoroughly impressed with the idea that Bilingual education is considered as a guarantee for all students.  What a beautiful notion.

David Medina, on John Edward’s behalf blurbed the following: “ We’re for bilingual education.”
That’s all he could come up with?

And the Republicans? How do they feel about this idea?
Alex Burgos speaking for Mitt Romney said the following: “He believes immersion is the best method for learning the English Language.”

I agree, but what about that student who has just come from China, or Russia, maybe even Mexico who can’t speak any English but is thrown into an English speaking classroom anyway? How is that student going to feel, what is he or she going to do when they are incredibly overwhelmed by English until the point where they stoped caring? Additonally, it’s not uncommon for ESL students to be mistaken for special education, simply because they don’t have the ability to understand what is being presented to them in class.  Is immersion a good idea for them?

On Tom Tancredo’s behalf Alan Moore says: “He thinks that classes should be in English only. He thinks English should be the official language in the U.S. and everything should be printed in English.

Again, good point seeing as we do live in an English speaking country.  However, America is unique in the way that it’s considered the “melting pot” rather “salad bowl” and people have come here from all over the globe, bringing their unique language and culture with them. 

This article further notes that the staff of the other 10 presidential candidates didn’t provide responses before this news letter went to press. Additionally it reports that while a spokesman for Mr. Romney didn’t tell Hispanic Link specifically that the former governor of Massachusetts opposes bilingual education, Mr. Romney has told his supports in speeches that he fought for the end of bilingual education in Massachusetts.

Interesting.  My thoughts are this: I do believe that people calling this country home (temporary or permanent) should learn to read, write and speak our language, English. I saw that because we as Americans would be expected to learn the language of the country we were staying in. However, I think the ESL system needs to be reevaluated. Under no circumstances should a non-native speaker be thrown into an English classroom where he will be confused because somebody said “immersion is the best method for learning English? Again I’ll bring up the student who is new to our country and has no ability to speak a lick of English, but is thrown into an English speaking class anyway. How is that beneficial for the student. On the other hand, I don’t believe that non-natives speakers should be catered to, with all their education being presented in their native language. That’s why I think bilingual education can work, if there is a healthy balance between encouraging students to learn the English, and presenting material in their language.  

for your reading pleasure:
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning-the-language/2007/11/presidential_candidates_views.html