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This blog was created for the students taking the course of Bilingual Education in the Education Program at Universidad Iberoamericana in Torreón, Coahuila, México.
María Matilde García Valdés M.A.Ed.
Professor, certified translator, interpreter.
"We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own."
BEN SWEETLAND
BEN SWEETLAND
Like i said in class i never thought that a Bilingual environment could make all this development. Its very interesting to learn about this because now we can compare and choose the best English program. Also now we know what program its better for the students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rosy's ideas, because all of this information can help us in a good way. We can used in different context and apply the best choise. I'm suprise because of the interest that poverty people have for learn.
ReplyDeletewell, I have always thought that learning a second language is very helpfull for life. Yes, I believe that people that learn two languages are smarter. I agree on most of the article, but I really have to say that I believe that people with bilingual programs are better because of how they use their minds. I mean, they think more than people that have just an English program. It does help when people learn the same things in both languages on the same period, but it can make students to traduct. It is important for students to understand concepts without making traductions. I beleive that if a child has just an English program and studies violin, it would be easier for him or she to understand English because his or her mind is double working, it is activated.
ReplyDeleteBILINGUAL PROGRAMS ARE THE BEST!
I never thought that Bilingual Programs were much better than Only English programs as the text said. When dealing with the learning of English in a place where, for example, only Spanish is spoken I thought it was much better to have only English programs because Spanish is all over in the student´s life. So I don´t know if I´m totally agree with this. What I do agree, it is that it is important to also attend the speakers native language because it’s his or her roots.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Gaby, I thought that a program of only English was better, but now I know that it isn´t. I think it is good because all the advantages that bilingual education has and also I think that it is important that children continue practicing their native languages.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone. I know I'm not in your class, but I'm enjoying reading the information Maty's posting for you! (Thanks for sending me the link, Maty.) I couldn't resist commenting here...
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to take into account the perspective Krashen is writing from because of his context (California). These are a few things that came to mind:
- "A primary goal of bilingual education is English language development." Obviously, he's referring to programs in California schools that are designed to support immigrants, learning English being the end objective of bilingual education in the opinion of many people in the US. However, then, is it really bilingual education??? I would say that in a more general sense, development of communication skills and literacy in 2 languages is the beauty of bilingual education, giving a child the opportunity to communicate, think, function in more than one language, which is a highly valuable skill in today's world. Bilingual programs in many other parts of the world have the goal of developing bilinguals or multilinguals, not just limiting themselves to helping immigrants function in their new home.
-If more emphasis and prestige are given to one language over another, I think it can "backfire", or have negative consequences, sometimes resulting in kids with underdeveloped skills in their first languages, with low levels of self-esteem in relation to their home languages and cultures, etc.
-It's a very different experience to live immersed in a new language while trying to acquire it (as is the case with ESL programs) and to live immersed in your first language while trying to acquire a second (foreign language context). In my opinion, these different contexts require slightly different approaches to language teaching/learning, including different types of materials, whether or not the first language is spoken in the classroom where the new language is being learned, etc.
-I'm interested in what you all think about the comparisons and contrasts that can be made between bilingual education in Krashen's Californian context - support for (often illegal) immigrants, and our Laguna context, where often only those who have enough economic resources can have access to bilingual education.
Krashen has some very interesting things to say and I agree with him (and several of you! :) - that acquisition of a second language, especially at a young age, through comprehensible input is greatly benefitial to the brain's development, beyond just the functional value of knowing another language.
What an interesting class you all have!!! I rarely have the time to be able to "enjoy" just reading about and researching in our profession as you all do while you're in school. Take advantage of this time and enjoy it!!! I suspect you may miss it once you've graduated.
Bye,
Deanna
Certainly learning any language will have many positive consequences. One reason I think so, it is because I´ve lived it. Once, you get to know the language, the structure, and you get to practice it in real life it is amazing. It is really gratifying to be independent, to ask, read or write, to sing, to talk, to travel, to communicate, etc. In my personal opinion it helps us to feel secure about ourselves! And this is a point where I want to talk more about what Karshen has written about. The first goal of the bilingual education it is the development, but the most interesting part (for me) it comes when you ask how you can make this? And what methods help you to accelerate the acquisition of English. I´ve heard that there are many different theories on the Bilingual research, but the one that I´ve lived is the “Making English More Comprehensible.”
ReplyDeleteIn other words, I went to a Montessori for elementary school, in the mean while I went to special English lessons for the last two years. Then, I finished elementary, and started the Intensive English Program (which I totally recommend it). In this program we had Canadian teachers, and all day long was the English program going on. We had subjects like: reading, writing, conversation, math, art, comprehension, vocabulary, Physical Education (native language). And I admire how the make it work, `cause at some point when you have students that their native language is the same, they tend to speak it at all time! However they make it, now we speak English and we were immerse in the English culture.
Indeed, I love studying education and now I´m enjoying learning about the Bilingual education because I now know these theories happen, and teacher is our goal to make it happen!
By: Paulina Jiménez.
I think that the English language has become an important tool for every student in our country. Clearly education gives an important spot to it, because of what it involves. I love the idea of learning another language, and to receive all its benefits. Specilly people like us involved in education, to be aware of what a bilingual program has to offer.
ReplyDeleteIs important to keep our brains active with various activities, whether in art, music, reading,etc. and languages is one of them if you have your channels of your brain open to differente cultures and languages, your brain is still alert and active and from this you have more opportunities to learn and use a different language from yours as if it were yours. I therefor believe that the information is handle by the author Krashen´s is important and we must learn about it and put into practice such information.
ReplyDeleteGood comments Paulina, Natalia and July I think you are getting the concept of the subject.
ReplyDeleteThis document really changed thay way that I see the education. I just can't belive that this information could be true! I mean how is this possible! haha
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to let to know more people about this, because this can make us think about how important it's to perfect and lear the mother language in order to learn better another languaje.
The study of the English language is increasingly more crucial in schools in Mexico whether they are private or public, it is important that from kindergarten children learn English but also continue learning in their native language.
ReplyDeleteI never thought that was better the bilingual programs or english programs, I will have to check the efficiency of each one to choose.