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#332 03/16/00 02:42 PM
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It seems to me that you can't teach a new language if you are barred from using the pupils native language.


#333 03/19/00 06:47 PM
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For your onformation,I was taught a new language by a teacher,who did not know my language,however if an educator knows the student's language,it seems almost inpossible not to use that knowledge.My conclusion is:The fastest and most effective way to learn a language is when nobody speaks yours,and you enjoy puzzling.


#334 03/20/00 03:52 AM
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I'm not an expert, but I can speak from personal experience. At my school we have many students from Mexico who come in speaking only Spanish. They are placed in a bilingual class where the instructor speaks Spanish. Many of them are still having trouble with English after 4 or more years. On the other hand, we have also had several Russian, Bosnian, etc. children who enrolled without any English, and were forced to learn the language through total immersion. Overall, they have mastered English quickly -- in fact, several of these kids are among the best students and most voracious readers in the school. Of course, every child has different needs and abilities, but this has happened enough times in my school that all of us have noticed the trend. However, it's not politically correct to act upon this knowledge, or even admit it.

Debbi Richard
Librarian,
Lake Highlands Elementary
Texas


Debbi Richard
Assistant Professor, Library Science
Dallas Baptist University
#335 03/20/00 11:55 PM
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In my school, we have a significant number of new immigrants from Hong Kong, Iran and Russia. These students are completely immersed in regular English speaking classes. Yes, it is tough for them, but they learn fairly quickly and end up doing quite well. We have minimal ESL support available, and none of the teachers speak any other language except English (and maybe French). I've often thought that a more intensive opportunity to learn English may be beneficial, but never with a teacher speaking the native language...that's too easy! and leaves everyone open to neglecting to speak English! I think you're right about political correctness......enough said.


#336 03/21/00 05:09 PM
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I'd suggest there are at least three issues which need to be separately discussed in this context: A) which type of teaching (bi- or mono-lingual) more quickly/effectively brings the student up to speed in English; B) which type of teaching has the less negative impact on the student's learning other subject matter while they are learning English; and C) which type of teaching best enables the student to also maintain their original cultural/ethnic identity and value their original culture, as well as American culture. I think these three issues often get muddied and confused in the discussions on this topic. I would also expect/hope that at least some evaluation/empirical studies would have been done on these three issues, and would hope that discussion would reflect, at least to some degree, the results of those studies, rather than just people's personal experiences or subjective opinions.


#337 04/27/00 01:41 AM
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Of course, the ideal way to become bilingual is to be raised in a situation where there are multiple primary languages. I was raised in such an environment -- my father is American, while my mother is Turkish. As an infant, I grew up in a house where both languages are spoken regularly. My parents have some amusing stories about the stage in my linguistic development during which I had a usable vocabulary in both languages but hadn't sorted the words into two separate sets... Such a situation is nearly impossible to reproduce in a school environment, but is interesting to think about.

[P.]


[P.]
#338 04/27/00 11:58 PM
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Does anyone know the literacy level of the parents of the students from Mexico and the parents of the students from European countries?



DAA
#339 04/28/00 12:01 AM
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I would like to have a discussion with DeeWernette about the items you mentioned.

DAA


DAA
#340 05/15/00 03:28 PM
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Hi All:
Have been a great fan of this site for a long time and have been subscribing for 2 yrs. Speaking of Multilingual schools and learning various foreign languages, I have found a great new web site WWW.DAILYLINGUIST.COM. I have started learning Spanish and French. Its a great web site and they make it easy and gradual for you to learn the languages.
You get an e-mail everyday with a new phrase, word and related grammar. I suggest that every one check this web site
WWW.DAILYLINGUIST.COM
Thanks


#341 05/23/00 01:47 AM
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I, too, came to the US speaking Dutch and learned English at school in the 50's without ESL or ELD. I really don't have the ability to read and write fluently in Dutch though and some of our ELD students have good literacy skills in two languages.


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