Separating fact from fiction about education.
Informational series for business leaders, policy makers, community leaders and members of the media.
Fiction:
Bilingual education erodes national unity.
What the fiction suggests:
Our common use of the English language is what binds us together as Americans. Using other languages will change our American identity.
Some people believe that having a multilingual society is dangerous. They point to political upheavals in multilingual countries like Canada and the former Yugoslavia and blame divisiveness on language differences. The truth is that language differences in those countries are symptoms of much larger problems rooted in the exclusion of groups of people.1 Our American history is different. The U.S. Constitution is designed to protect and include minority opinions. Restricting people's use of any language goes against the U.S. Constitution and goes against the ideals of freedom and liberty. Our nation is stronger -- and is thus more unified -- when we celebrate diversity of languages, cultures and opinions. This is evident, for example, in the large number of Hispanics who demonstrate their loyalty by serving in the U.S. military.2
Fact:
Bilingual education strengthens American democracy and global competitiveness.
What the truth means:
The American principles of democracy, liberty and freedom of speech are hallmarks of American values so treasured by our founders that they are protected by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These are the foundation of our national unity.3
From its inception, the United States has been a pluralistic society, a nation of immigrants speaking many languages. The English language itself is a language of immigrants: Three out of four words in the dictionary are foreign-born.4 The multicultural influences on English give us a vast vocabulary of precision and subtlety. Our democratic form of government is complex and challenging. It requires constant and demanding participation by our citizens. Bilingual education creates opportunities for children to learn more efficiently so they can participate fully in our society's social, economic, political and educational arenas.
Bilingual education teaches children in the language they use at home and bring to school while also teaching English. It sees all children as capable and equal, meriting high expectations. These practices are in keeping with the ideals of democracy and the right to a free and equal education.5
The highly competitive nature of today's global economy underscores the importance of knowing more than one language. Policies that support and strengthen bilingual education for students today will pay healthy dividends for tomorrow's employees.6
"The competitve arena of a global marketplace requires understanding of the dynamics of an ever-expanding, diversified and pluralistic consumer base. In order to service this consumer base, a diversified and pluralistic work force becames a business necessity."
– Louis M. Laguardia, vice president for human resources, H-E-B Grocery Company, 19947
References
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MALDEF, "MALDEF Opposes Official English Movement," statement. (San Antonio, Texas: Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, 1996).
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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 1997.
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NABE, "'English-Only' A Dangerous Solution to a Non-Existent Problem," position paper. (Washington, D.C.: National Association of Bilingual Educators, 1996).
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Parshall, Gerald. "A ‘Glorious Mongrel,'" U.S. News and World Report. (September 25, 1995).
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Sosa, Alicia Salinas. Questions and Answers About Bilingual Education. (San Antonio, Texas: Intercultural Development Research Association, 1993).
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Cárdenas, J. A. Multicultural Education: A Generation of Advocacy. (Needham Heights, Mass.: Simon & Schuster Custom Publishing, 1995).
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Laguardia, Louis M. "Evolution of a Global Marketplace," Hispanic Business (February 1994).
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National Center for Education Statistics. The Condition of Education. (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education, 1994).
© 1996.
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