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Speaks Out
Monday, March 8, 1999
Following California’s lead with Proposition 227, Arizona is now
considering an initiative to curtail bilingual education. Where do
you stand on the issue of bilingual education?
"I think bilingual education is a good idea to help different
ethnic groups understand their roots, culture and language. At the
same time, they need to assimilate into American society. Perhaps
history could be taught in their own language  to better
learn about other cultures, but especially their own culture, in
their own language. Others, like math, can be in English."
Thinh Nguyen
Graduate student
Physiological science
"I’m for bilingual education. The classroom serves as a
springboard to learn English. I think a big misconception is that
when you’re teaching students in their own language, they’re not
ever going to learn English. But if you live in America, no matter
what  if you just watch TV  you’re going to learn
English."
Katherine Carrido
Fourth-year
American literature and culture
"I think school districts have to keep it because of the
populations that schools serve. They have to keep something. I
would not want to see kids not supported in schools, in terms of
language acquisition and development. I’m not a Californian Â
I’m from Michigan. But, when I heard about 227, I just thought,
Å’What are Californians thinking?’"
Renee Moreno
Post-doctoral student
English and education
"I’m an Arizona resident, so I’m familiar with the Arizona bill.
Like 227, it exists at two different levels: political symbolism
and educational policy. Politically, both measures tell Latinos
that, if you don’t speak English, you’re not a full citizen.
Educationally, it’s naive that legislators believe they can
actually change what happens in classrooms. Plus, legislators
saying you can’t teach one way when it would help a student, just
isn’t good policy."
John Rogers
Visiting assistant professor
School of Education
"I’d support the Arizona (proposal) because I think English is
important to learn. Bilingual education is important, but English
should be encouraged because bilingual education may encourage
students never to learn English. That would give students a very
big hardship, if they want to live in this country, where you need
to learn English to survive."
Ryan Thompson
Third-year
Biology
"I’m from the East Coast where it wasn’t even an issue. I don’t
know enough about it to have a concrete opinion yet, but I do think
that maybe bilingual ed is good for the first couple of years after
students come to America. I don’t think it should be permanent,
though, because that wouldn’t help integrate students into the
American culture  they have to speak English."
Christina Ware
Second-year
Biochemistry
Comments, feedback, problems?
© 1999ASUCLA Communications Board