08/30/2011:
"English language learner needs are only one side of bilingual ed- What
about information for parents of chidren who they want to be immersed in a
bi-lingual setting in order to develop facility with both languages and a
respect/admiration for two or more cultures?
"
05/16/2011:
"If you've legally moved here from Mexico or other Latin countries you
should be learning English. If you are illegally here you and your
progeny should be deported. U.S. citizens (those born to U.S. citizens or
who've legally applied for and received U.S. citizenship) should be
learning a second language beginning in pre-school and fluency in 2-3
languages should be a h.s. graduation requirement, both for analytical
development and career competition."
04/13/2011:
"I came to the U.S. @ the age of 11 (5th grd) & was an english
learner.(only knew a few english words). At the time only language spoken
in class was PURE ENGLISH...including the playground staffs during lunch
& recess. ..Not sure if it was a program at the time(1991) but the type of
help I've received was a 30min-1hr/day, once or twice a week during class
hours just to learn the basic english words used in a daily life (ex: the
diff between a bag & a purse, above & below, etc.. from a sub teacher).
This was my main learning tool frm school for everything else needed to
compose a basic sentence & to actually speak it, I learned from other kids
(as you pick up new words) & from HOME.....Now, I'm 30yrs of age, married
w/3 wonderful kids, own a house in a great neighborhood & a dog.. Living
the american dream here in this beautiful country which I call home, the
USA. .. ......
Regardles of what is being taught at school, without practice at HOME with
the help of the PARENTS, it'll be useless. All the tax payer's money,
wasted.. & if the parents don't do anything about it, it reflects very,
very poorly on the child. Can't really expect to learn how to speak
english by speaking spanish @ school & at home do you? English Speaking
ONLY environment does the trick. ..."
09/3/2010:
"my 6 year old started a language academy school in which he is doing
science social studies in spanish as well as spanish itself...i am a bit
concern because we are english speaking fam and the teacher says in his
curriculum they cant do too much translation so we have to help him at
home..but spanish is funny because if you type in a sentence and get the
translation it is backwords and sometimes you have to make sence out of
nonesence.. any suggestions?"
08/11/2010:
"I believe that too much emphasis is being given to teaching Spanish
speaking children the English language and not enough emphasis on teaching
English speaking children the Spanish language. I have learned that in the
working world, bilingual employees are paid extra for being bilingual. I
believe parents of English only speaking children should be given an
opportunity to choose a second language the same as non-Spanish speaking
parents. "
04/13/2009:
"Proposition 227 has been the downfall for ELL students in California. I
was a bilingual teacher in your state before the passage of this
initiative. I am a product of LAUSD and UCLA. I came back to teach a few
years ago after the passage of your initiative. What a disgrace. I have
100% pass rate in a school similar to LAUSD school in Fort Worth. With
dual language transitional bilingual education at our school, 88% of our
ELL kids are passing the Texas TAKS Test in English! At least, 20%
commended! Shame on California. It used to be the 'Golden State' in the
1960's and 1970's. I am about to assume an assistant principalship in an
inner city school with a 96% poverty level, 71% ELL's 19% African
American. Poverty is no excuse for mediocrity. Kids can achieve when
instructed with proven pedagogy that works!"
07/18/2008:
"I moved to Italy with my 3 children when they where 5, 6 and 7 years old. We put in the local school where they did not speack a word of Italian. By the end of the year they where fluent in Italian. 3 years later we moved back to the US and my children had to learn to read and write in English, it took them about 4 month to learn. I happy to say that all 3 of my children graduated from hgh school with honors and are currently in college and doing fabulous! "
04/30/2008:
"immersion of ell learners in English, will only create students illiterate in two languages. Dual Language programs following 50/50 model with team teaching, have proved to be very successful in creating students literate in two languages."
04/23/2008:
"Hi,
My family and I are moving to Phoenix area in the next months. We are from Mexico. I have two kids, the older is going to be 4 years early october, and the little one is just an almost 5 month old baby, so I don't think the moving will be a problem for him. But I am concerned about the big kid, since he does not speak english. I have been doing some research about english learners and schools but I still don't know for sure if all Arizona schools have the english learners programs (I think it is AZELLA) So it would be great if you help me to clarify this issue. Thanks a lot in advance for your kind help."
