Bilingualism Analysis

Bilingual education offers a completely different world for students of different ethnic background and thus creates a comfort zone limiting the risk-taking factor necessary for the maturation of a child to an adult. Rodriguez argues supporters of bilingualism fail to realize "while one suffers a

Rodriguez offers a different standpoint on bilingualism, and an argument he presents is that one must be willing to give up part of their native ways when learning a language to fit into the public. Rodriguez considered Spanish a private language and English a public one. This perception made him reluctant to learn English, but at the same time, it motivated him to become a part of the public by learning its language. Rodriguez uses his family life as an example of his native identity. He was not an English speaker when he was young, but upon learning the language, he drifted away from his family, and describes it rather frankly: “I was an American citizen. But the special feeling of closeness at home was diminished by then. . . . No longer so close; no longer bound tight by the pleasing and troubling knowledge of our public separateness . . . . When I arrived home there would often be

Rodriguez’s main point is to strongly encourage children of immigrant parents to adopt English, the “public language” as their main language in order to become assimilated in the

The particular focus of Rodriguez’s story is that in order to feel like he belonged to the “public society” he had to restrict his individuality. Throughout his story, Rodriguez discussed such topics as assimilation and heritage. He goes into depth about the pros and the cons of being forced to assimilate to the American culture. Growing up Hispanic in America was a struggle for Rodriguez. This was due to the fact that he was a Spanish-speaking boy living in an English-speaking society, and he felt like he was different than the other children. Rodriguez writes, “I was fated to be the ‘problem student’ in class” (Rodriguez 62). This is referring to Rodriguez’s improper knowledge of English. It made him stand out as the kid that was behind. He wanted to find the balance between the public and private face. He believed both were important to develop. As I read this story it changed the way I looked at people who speak different languages, and how it must be hard to fit in with society if you are not all fluent in English.

Spanish speakers benefit learning English, universally used in the United States. I have always accepted other’s life decisions. Bilingualism to me relates to both Espada and Rodriguez’s opinions. Espada believes non-English speakers should fight for the right to preserve their language and identity. Rodriguez believes language and culture diminishes the less that language is spoken. I believe in United States English should be spoken in formal settings (schools, businesses, etc.), while other languages could be spoken in appropriate situations (non-business). Espada grew up with English as his first language and later learned Spanish. Rodriguez grew up with a choice to no longer resist English or to not fit in with American society. Their differences reflect on their opinions today.

Rodriguez describes his youth as a child of Mexican immigrant studying in America, where he had difficulty communicating at school because he did not understand the public language, English. In the beginning, he was shy and afraid at school because he was feeling uneasy with the English language, but with his parents and teacher’s help he “raised his hand to volunteer an answer”, from that day he” moved very far from the disadvantage child…” (987).

Rodriguez builds a formidable case against bilingual education with his bilingual childhood experiences. Rodriguez grew up speaking Spanish, but then learned how to speak English later in life so he knows what effects bilingual education has on bilingual kids who grew up speaking a private language at homes. When Rodriguez first came to the United States in Sacramento, California he understood “about fifty stray English words” (Richard Rodriguez “Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood”). He was a Mexican immigrant whose family only knew how to speak Spanish. The neighbors of Rodriguez’s family didn’t like them, so when they were out walking they would tell Rodriguez’s parents “Keep your brats away from my sidewalk!” (Rodriguez 571). Rodriguez loses the “special feeling of closeness at home” when he learned English (Rodriguez 577). Personal experiences are what makes him a credible author. Rodriguez used strong ethos and pathos appeals, but he didn’t use strong logos appeals. He didn’t use facts or reasoning in his memoir to prove his points against bilingual education.

Bilingual Education where Supporters feel that students miss a great deal by not being taught in their family’s language. That children that retain their family’s language will retain a sense of individuality. Their ethnic heritage & cultural ties. Helping Students acquire the skills of a classroom crucial for public success. Rodriguez also discusses the use of teaching and using a single language.

I think what really sets me apart from other candidates is my ability of interacting with all kinds of people. I believe the benefit of being bilingual will be very helpful to communicate with people. Although if I'm hired to this job it would be my first job, I consider myself a fast learner. I noticed the position that I applied for involves interacting with customers. I'm excited by the prospect of bringing of commitment and enthusiasm to this new and exciting opportunuity and I think this position would be a great fit for

Although I have been learning to speak Spanish for the past three years, I know little to nothing about the language, even more, the entire culture. Learning a complete language can be naturally very challenging. That is exactly what a lot of people have to go through when they come to America in seek of a better life. Many Spanish speakers are forced to speak the unofficial, language of the United States, English. What people fail to realize is that the task we are expecting to be accomplished by bilinguals is much easier said than done. Bilingualism, to me, is so much more than speaking a language, it’s understanding and being a part of an entire culture. I understand why people are so hesitant to give their language up, because

Unlike many interpreters, I am completely bilingual. I did not know the difference between English and Spanish until I was about 5; I just knew that if I wanted to watch TV I had to ask my mother in with one set of words and everyone else in a different manner. I was able to formally develop both languages by attending high school in Buenos Aires and college at UCSD, where I currently study bioengineering. In Argentina, I attended the most prestigious high school in the country, and was instructed not only in advanced Spanish syntax, grammar and literature but also in Latin and French, which has allowed me a quite operative understanding of most Latin based languages, including Italian, Portuguese and French, all of which I am able to read

Hello. Hola. Guten Tag. Comment vas-tu. If you understood at least two of the things I said you are within the 20% of the current world population that is bilingual- speaks two languages fluently. That means another 5.7 billion people are ‘stuck’ within one language, one form of communication. I feel like some individuals, take for granted, the gifts their parents inherited them; the gift of communication. Ever since, I was a juvenile, one of my dreams was to learn English. Be able to read, write, understand and communicate fluently. For ten years straight all through primary school, I tried to learn as much of the English language as possible. Completing homework, extra exercises my dad gave me, traveling to places such as Ireland to attend

In a team that counts 19 person, we work on organizing one major conference where we teach young students about global issues, politics and diplomacy. We push them into a moderated debate where they follow certain rules of procedures, where they learn how behave diplomatically, think logically, and discover logical fallacies in other members’ speech. My tasks basically focus on searching potential sponsors, contact them and try to set a sponsorship agreement with them, also one of my major tasks is to promote the Initiative’s media image, by attending Radio and TV shows, write articles and send them to different newspaper periodically. After the main event we organize open doors in different cities, where I have to search local sponsors and

A skill or talent that I have is the ability to speak two languages. I am fluent in both English and Spanish meaning I am able to speak, write and read in both languages. I developed my bilingual skills at a very young age.

After serving as an English language instructor to refugee populations in Amman, Jordan, I have realized how bilingual education improves the quality of educational services and the socioeconomic stability of ethnic minority peoples in the region. I believe that the role of inter-agency organizations and local community based organizations hold significant weight in enhancing bilingual practices and working alongside local governments to institute national policies that recognize the cultural and language knowledge of all individuals. Moreover, local governments can stress the importance of language policies and practices, proposed by international organizations, including the United Nations Education, Scientific, Cultural Organizations (UNESCO)