Misconceptions cloud anti-bilingual argument: Letter to the editor

"In bilingual education, English is used increasingly through the years (in most models) so that proficiency and literacy in both languages are achieved."

Re: “Schools should focus on teaching English” (Page A6, June 25).

This letter to the editor reflects some general misconceptions about bilingual education.

The primary goal of bilingual education is teaching English. But imagine if your 7-year-old self moved, suddenly, to Greece and was expected to read and learn in a language you didn’t know. You would lose years of instruction before you were ready to learn using Greek as the language of instruction.

In bilingual education, English is used increasingly through the years (in most models) so that proficiency and literacy in both languages are achieved. Research shows that students in bilingual programs equal or outperform their peers in English by 5th grade

Finally, where, precisely, will we find those bilingual teachers if we wait until high school “foreign” language class to teach literacy, and to use and value their native language? We need to provide incentives for and prepare more bilingual teachers.

Merryl Kravitz
Professor Emerita, School of Education, New Mexico Highlands University
San Jose