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The Official Language Movement

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The Official Language Movement
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The Official Language Movement

When it comes to the constant debate over bilingual education there are many sources that can be reflected on . Part of all this is society personal attitudes when it comes to immigrants. (Rolf Kjolseth 2000). Many American, although not always conscious of their actions, often show a hypocritical double standard when it comes to bilingualism. On one side, they show pride and encourage a natural born American citizen that studies abroad learning a foreign language and becoming bilingual, at the same time they expect that all immigrants stop using their native languages and use only the English language to communicate. (Porter 1998) Much of the debate over bilingual education stems from an unrealistic expectation of immediate results. (Jim Cummins 2002). The public automatically believe that students should immerse themselves into the American culture and learn English and forget about their previous cultural background. Although many studies have shown that bilingual education provides a positive environment during the learning and social growth of many language-minority students, the opposition while mostly politically motivated has shown to have the upper hand when it come to most states debates.
Many believe that being able to speak multiple languages in politics produces confusion among the citizens of a country. Any individual living in the United States whether by legal or illegal entry should not have the rights to vote until they become legal citizens. Bilingualism in politics gives people an impression that the state has allowed all the illegal immigrants, a right to vote. (Ana Garza, LA times 2010). These type of debate has many times cause unwanted reaction and outburst that has cost politicians their political seat aspirations and or has place them in a position where they are no longer trusted by the voters. There are those that also believe that bilingualism in politics causes more problems than it does any good. Individuals automatically believe that because a politician is bilingual that he or she will attempt to somehow embed their own ethnical and cultural believes into the office to which they have been elected.

Resources

Bilingual Education Attacked http://www.education.com
Need for Bilingual Education http://education.stateuniversity.com
The bilingual education debate http://articles.latimes.com
Politics made 'bilingual' a dirty word http://www.nctimes.com
Bilingualism in politics http://mwolk.com

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