Bilingual Education
Parents of non-English-speaking students in New York City public schools will be offered one of three programs for their children: BILINGUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS Subjects like mathematics and social studies are taught in a student's native language. Supporters say students absorb more of the subject matter learning major subjects in their native tongue and are not turned off to school because of language difficulties. Critics, however, say the programs discourage children from learning English and adapting to their new culture. ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE The courses often involve much more instruction in English — maybe three hours a day — with special lessons in mathematics and other courses using props, for example, that can be understood by children regardless of their ability to understand English. Supporters say the method forces students to learn English at a faster pace, but some linguists say that it does not help students understand nuance. INTENSIVE ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE An enhanced version of English as a second language that may be akin to the English immersion program used in California. While Schools Chancellor Harold O. Levy would not give details on the proposal, a model used in Oceanside, Calif., requires teachers to instruct non-English-speaking students in English exclusively. If students do not understand a word or phrase after a teacher repeats it three times, teachers are allowed to translate it into the child's native language and then resume teaching in English. Supporters say that students learn English at a swifter pace and rapidly move into mainstream courses. But opponents call it a sink-or-swim method that discourages non- English students from academics. |