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Umm, as a teacher here in CA, I know for a fact that students are rarely taught in their L1 (or primary language... remember not all illegal immigrants are SPANISH speaking, as the United States has a huge influx oF Asian illegal immigrants, comparable to the numbers coming from Central America) It is actually against the law in CA, to teach using bilingual instruction, as in accordance with Proposition 187; every few states actually allow bilingual instruction. Furthermore as a proponent of bilingual education, teaching students in English-only is not only ineffective in comparsion, but hinders student learning in other academic subjects. So, you can "rest assured" that the state (CA has half of the English Language Learners within the country within its education system) with the most ELL (English Langauge Learners), are NOT learning in Spanish!
You also speak of billboards and television channels in Spanish, well guess what, that has nothing to do with promoting their lack of English, but is soley based on ADVERTISING. So, you can speak to McDonald's and Coca-Cola, explaining to them that they should not nurture these people's use of Spanish. By the way, here in LA, we also have several Asian papers, television channels, and billboards in predominately Asian areas, so remember it's not just the evil "Spanish" speaking people.
In addition, you speak of all the "evils" of these people, however, let me assure you for every one "bad" illegal immigrant, there are ten more who bring their children to school everyday so they can excel and achieve as they go and scrub your floor, cut your grass, and pick your agriculture.
I respect your opinion for what it is worth and I know its not going to change your mind, but I have a little more factual knowledge on the subject.
Now off to write a billionth paper for class... damn grad school!
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Ummm, never in my message did I talk about the "evils" of these people. In fact I believe I was suggesting that they come here legally and pay into the system so they can receive something back and so they are not taken advantage of by their employer and given 10 dollars for a days work and no health benefits. How is that evil???
Also you talk about "bad" illegal immigrants, well heck, there are "bad" people everywhere, it does not matter what your race is,and then again for every race there are good people. You do not have to be an illegal immigrant to clean floors or pick agriculture, there are other people who do this work as well and instill great values into their children as well.
Also, about the billboards in Spanish and the ATM machines in Spanish, I know that there are other illegals here beside the Spanish speaking. I only used that as an example as here in the south that is the majority of what crosses the boarder and stays. If you come to North Carolina I will show you all the billboards , magizines, newspapers, etc that are all in Spanish. We don't have any other language that is advertised or you have a choice to pick on the ATM machine...at least yet.
And I agree with you, learning two languages is a good thing. I have a friend that has a daughter that is 4 years old and already she can speak Spanish. Count to ten, knows her name, knows some phrases etc. and she is as smart as a whip!! However, my friend and her husband chose to send their daughter (and pay) for her to go to a montisorri(sp) school. I did not have to pay for her to learn this.
Whenever my husband and I have a child and they attend school I will be sending them to a Montisorri school so they can also learn a different language maybe Spanish or I can choose another language. But you see that is my choice. I don't think that I should have to pay for everyone elses children to learn Spanish.
Now don't get mad at me for saying that. This is America and it is a Capitilistic society. I shouldn't have to work hard to have things in life that I enjoy only to see Joe Schmo who dosen't do a thing enjoy the same that I have, that would be communism, and that would be wrong!!(at least for America)
I feel that there is not enough money in the education system as it stands already and unfortunatly the children have to feel this. I think that what money has been diverted for second language classes (which apparently is not in every school accross the nation) should be redirected into the arts. There are schools all over the nation that are hurting and are trying to keep the arts alive in their school system (although I do not know about CA but I would assume that they are hurting in the arts as well).Music programs are looking at getting axed, art teachers are no longer at a lot of high schools. I just feel that the money I pay into the education system should go for tha basics, math, english, reading, science, and the arts, without art this would be a sad place to live.
Again, sorry for all of my rambelings. I do not mean to offend any one these are just my views. And on a side note I have very much enjoyed reading the views of everyone else...I love America!!
Hope you do a great job on that paper!!
