As a bilingual/bicultural teacher who grew up thinking that everyone spoke at least three languages, I see the pride in my student's parent's eyes as their children progress in English, and the sorrow, as the children can no longer communicate past basic wants and needs. Then I hear about the frustration as the children try to "go back" to their roots. Some are caught between two cultures and cannot identify with either. Language classes have been developed in high schools and colleges specifically designed for students who grew up hearing another language...they have some advantage over non-native listeners, but a disadvantage if they only remember the slang.

DAA


DAA