Abstract
Today American society is becoming intellectually diverse, and is in demand of bilingual
citizens in the working class. It is important that the continuation of federal funding of bilingual
education takes place. This type of education creates a stronger youth, in return bettering our
country. It is imperative that we focus on the importance of bilingual education, and continue to
be supportive of immigrants and non-natives in our country. Also, it is important to expand our
knowledge and learn about different cultures in society. It is the uniqueness of American society
that helps the country thrive. Without bilingual education our country would not be as strong and
independent as it is today. It is through bilingual education that people are able to communicate
with other people in the world. Bilingual education is a bridge to unification.
Keywords: diversity, unification, education
Bilingual education has been of great importance in American society since 1839.
Bilingual education is the practice of educating students in their primary language, which usually
differs from the native language of the country. This type of education has caused controversy
throughout history due to debates of its effectiveness. However, the fourteenth amendment
protects and supports bilingual education because it corresponds with the right of equality in
regards to education. English, being my second language, has strongly influenced me to support
the use of bilingual education in school systems. However, the main issue lies in the lack of
funding for these programs. A recent decrease in funding, has led to many minority students
losing the opportunity to fulfill their American dream, and having their rights to education
limited.
Funding, effectiveness, and keeping the English language as a primary language are the
top three reasons why bilingual education is rejected in today’s society. The New York Times
released an article on the disadvantages of bilingual education. The article stated, “Current
bilingual programs are given in Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese,
French, Greek, Arabic and Bengali, at a cost last year of more than $300 million” (Dillion 1994).
Statistics do not show positive results for a majority of bilingual education programs. Therefore,
the annual funding for this type of education has had a dramatic decrease since 1994. States such
as Florida, Texas, and California have reduced the number of bilingual education programs in
there state. According to, The Huffington Post, “graduation rates are less than 60%” (Armario
2013). Bilingual education programs are often times considered being a handicap to students.
Students are exposed to both languages at the same time, and are never given an opportunity to
master a language. Prematurely transitioning into a new language has negative effects, especially
in regards to vocabulary and further learning.
In 1968 a Bilingual Education Act was passed to ensure the equal opportunity for
minorities to learn the native language. Bilingual education helps students learn in their native
language, while transitioning into the primary language of the country. Without bilingual
education many students would fall behind in school, and the dropout rate for minorities would
rapidly increase. Bilingual education is often perceived as a way of opting out of learning the
native language. However, that is contrary of the goal. It is important that bilingual education
continues to be funded, because it educates and helps ensure equality within the school system.
Having a community of educated bilinguals would have a positive effect in our country. Studies
suggest that bilinguals are more focused, and intellectual. Bilingual education is often
misperceived. These courses are meant for native and non-native speakers. For example, Nate
Cornish a bilingual therapist states, “For Spanish-speaking kids, bilingual education will help
them adapt better and faster to the curriculum and the culture, and for English-speaking children,
it will develop cognitive flexibility among many other benefits.” (Benson 2013) Funding of these
educational programs will only benefit society. With diversity on the rise, it is important to be
more culturally informed. Also, it is favored in the working community to be bilingual. An
increase in funding will help non-native students get accustomed to new learning styles, and thus
give them the ability to succeed.
A majority of monolingual people in society is against the use of bilingual education.
However, it is said to be strictly due to xenophobia, but disguised as a financial concern. In
regards to funding, our country spends billions of dollars on projects that are not always relevant
to the benefit of society. Rather then cutting spending on unnecessary projects, people who
address a negative opinion on bilingual education decide that education should be less funded.
Also, reducing funding and closing bilingual education programs lead to the increase of students
that drop out of school. These people then depend on the government for financial assistants.
This leads to a greater amount of debt, and financial problems that the taxpayers of today’s
society are burdened with. Our nation wouldn’t be what it is today without education, and the
right to have bilingual education in the school systems. This type of education ensures equality,
and that's what makes America so strong. However, the increase of immigrants and foreigners in
the United States leave some citizens with an uneasy feeling. Some natives feel as if there jobs,
lives, and family will be negatively affected by the large increase in immigrants and foreigners,
throughout the last decade. However, what many don’t understand is that the country is
expanding, and becoming intellectually diverse. There is a great importance in learning multiple
languages. Not only does bilingual education help those who are non-native, but also they help
natives learn a second language. There are many different psychological statistics that prove that
learning a second language has many benefits. These benefits can also be health related. It is
proven that bilingual people tend to be affected by alzheimers later in their lifetime. The
absorbance and fluidity of speaking two languages keeps the mind occupied and strong.
It is important to increase the diversity of Americans in today’s society. Thus meaning,
bilingual education should continue to get sufficient funding. There are no negatives affects on
becoming accustomed to new languages and traditions. However, it does require an open mind to
view bilingual education from the perspective of a non-native who by law should have the same
advantage in education as anybody else. Funding is important, because it helps improve our
society culturally, intellectually, and it helps develop the education system. In America education
is the base and foundation of youth. Without education, it is more challenging to excel in the
career field of your choice, and can lead to a greater handicap. Proper education is what has lead
this country to flourish.
References
Armario, C. (2013, April 14). U.S. Bilingual Education Challenge: Students Learning English As
Second Language At Risk. The Huffington Post.
Benson, J. (2013, October 25). Bilingual Education Holds Cognitive, Social And Health
Benefits (INFOGRAPHIC).
Dillon, S. (1994, October 20). Report Faults Bilingual Education in New York.
Times.
TheNew York