Controversial Aspects of Bilingual Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Two kinds of objections to bilingual education are examined in this paper. The philosophical objection questions whether the use of a foreign language in the U.S. educational system can be justified; the practical objection questions the usefulness of bilingual education in increasing educational achievement. Since misunderstandings about bilingual education and cultural identity are implicit in these objections, they are discussed at some length. Finally, a response is made to both kinds of objections. It is argued that bilingual education tends to produce a bilingual whose loyalty to this country is strong, that bilingualism is good for all Americans, and that bilingualism, far from being a fad, is on the rise. The apparent success, so far, of bilingual education is pointed out in response to the second type of objection, and diachronic studies are called for to determine the actual effectiveness of bilingual education in academic and social achievement. By way of conclusion, bilingual education is termed the single most important effort of modern American education to break with ethocentric rigidity. (AM)