OT – Bilingual Education

[NotCranky]

[quote=GH]I assume “Spanish” is what is being pushed for. More useful though in the business world, I would prefer to see Chinese taught, or perhaps French or German.[/quote]

I think the languages are generally based on size of dominant and minority cultures prevalent. That makes sense to me.

http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm

In my mind the above link provides some direction on choosing the relative global value of languages.The extra advantage with Spanish is that a sharp person who becomes English/Spanish bi-literate early on will easily aquire Portuguese and perhaps even Italian and French too.

Chinese is a good or best choice for some people.
Spanish is best or second best generally speaking depending on how you view these things.From California I like them both.

I have a hard time taking up a defense for French or German as being better than Spanish, especially in Southern California or other locations where dual language is prevalent in the U.S.A.

French and German have the negative that high percentages of the populations using those languages are bilingual/multilingual,including lots of English proficient people who also have an education on par with what Americans aim for. If I were worried about it from a “success” point of view, I would like something that makes my kids unique in a larger population while being sensitive to the geographical location of that population.

[afx114]

I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. You always carry with you a part of your past. Full assimilation takes generations, usually three, at which time the original immigrant’s culture is all but lost.

1) Immigrant arrives, sticks mostly with their native culture/language/etc.
2) Immigrant’s children are “inbetweeners.” They have one foot in each culture, speak both languages and have embraced their new culture, but still think fondly of their parents’ culture.
3) Immigrant’s grandchildren are fully assimilated. Most of their grandparent’s language/culture is lost. 100% KFC/Taco Bell/Justin Beiber/America Fuk Yah!

Anecdotally I’ve seen this in many immigrant families, no matter where they are from (China, Mexico, etc). I see grandparents (original immigrants) who can’t communicate with their grandchildren due to the language differences. And the grandchildren look at their grandparents as a relic from another world to the point of being embarrassed that their grandparents don’t speak the language or eat “weird non-American food.”

This is why I believe the call for instant assimilation is unwarranted. It will happen naturally over time. It always has and always will.

[afx114]

I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. You always carry with you a part of your past. Full assimilation takes generations, usually three, at which time the original immigrant’s culture is all but lost.

1) Immigrant arrives, sticks mostly with their native culture/language/etc.
2) Immigrant’s children are “inbetweeners.” They have one foot in each culture, speak both languages and have embraced their new culture, but still think fondly of their parents’ culture.
3) Immigrant’s grandchildren are fully assimilated. Most of their grandparent’s language/culture is lost. 100% KFC/Taco Bell/Justin Beiber/America Fuk Yah!

Anecdotally I’ve seen this in many immigrant families, no matter where they are from (China, Mexico, etc). I see grandparents (original immigrants) who can’t communicate with their grandchildren due to the language differences. And the grandchildren look at their grandparents as a relic from another world to the point of being embarrassed that their grandparents don’t speak the language or eat “weird non-American food.”

This is why I believe the call for instant assimilation is unwarranted. It will happen naturally over time. It always has and always will.

[afx114]

I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. You always carry with you a part of your past. Full assimilation takes generations, usually three, at which time the original immigrant’s culture is all but lost.

1) Immigrant arrives, sticks mostly with their native culture/language/etc.
2) Immigrant’s children are “inbetweeners.” They have one foot in each culture, speak both languages and have embraced their new culture, but still think fondly of their parents’ culture.
3) Immigrant’s grandchildren are fully assimilated. Most of their grandparent’s language/culture is lost. 100% KFC/Taco Bell/Justin Beiber/America Fuk Yah!

Anecdotally I’ve seen this in many immigrant families, no matter where they are from (China, Mexico, etc). I see grandparents (original immigrants) who can’t communicate with their grandchildren due to the language differences. And the grandchildren look at their grandparents as a relic from another world to the point of being embarrassed that their grandparents don’t speak the language or eat “weird non-American food.”

This is why I believe the call for instant assimilation is unwarranted. It will happen naturally over time. It always has and always will.

[afx114]

I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. You always carry with you a part of your past. Full assimilation takes generations, usually three, at which time the original immigrant’s culture is all but lost.

1) Immigrant arrives, sticks mostly with their native culture/language/etc.
2) Immigrant’s children are “inbetweeners.” They have one foot in each culture, speak both languages and have embraced their new culture, but still think fondly of their parents’ culture.
3) Immigrant’s grandchildren are fully assimilated. Most of their grandparent’s language/culture is lost. 100% KFC/Taco Bell/Justin Beiber/America Fuk Yah!

Anecdotally I’ve seen this in many immigrant families, no matter where they are from (China, Mexico, etc). I see grandparents (original immigrants) who can’t communicate with their grandchildren due to the language differences. And the grandchildren look at their grandparents as a relic from another world to the point of being embarrassed that their grandparents don’t speak the language or eat “weird non-American food.”

This is why I believe the call for instant assimilation is unwarranted. It will happen naturally over time. It always has and always will.

[afx114]

I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. You always carry with you a part of your past. Full assimilation takes generations, usually three, at which time the original immigrant’s culture is all but lost.

1) Immigrant arrives, sticks mostly with their native culture/language/etc.
2) Immigrant’s children are “inbetweeners.” They have one foot in each culture, speak both languages and have embraced their new culture, but still think fondly of their parents’ culture.
3) Immigrant’s grandchildren are fully assimilated. Most of their grandparent’s language/culture is lost. 100% KFC/Taco Bell/Justin Beiber/America Fuk Yah!

Anecdotally I’ve seen this in many immigrant families, no matter where they are from (China, Mexico, etc). I see grandparents (original immigrants) who can’t communicate with their grandchildren due to the language differences. And the grandchildren look at their grandparents as a relic from another world to the point of being embarrassed that their grandparents don’t speak the language or eat “weird non-American food.”

This is why I believe the call for instant assimilation is unwarranted. It will happen naturally over time. It always has and always will.

[weberlin]

[quote=afx114]I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. [/quote]

Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.

[weberlin]

[quote=afx114]I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. [/quote]

Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.

[weberlin]

[quote=afx114]I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. [/quote]

Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.

[weberlin]

[quote=afx114]I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. [/quote]

Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.

[weberlin]

[quote=afx114]I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. [/quote]

Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.

[afx114]

[quote=weberlin]Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.[/quote]

No need to get defensive, I was simply sharing my thoughts on the subject. I agree with you that efforts should be made to learn the language of whatever country one moves to. My point is that if it doesn’t happen, it’s not a big deal. If I moved to China and made no attempt to learn Chinese, how is that an affront to China? No doubt my children and their children would be speaking Chinese quicker and better than myself. I don’t see a problem with this, but I guess apparently some people do.

[afx114]

[quote=weberlin]Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.[/quote]

No need to get defensive, I was simply sharing my thoughts on the subject. I agree with you that efforts should be made to learn the language of whatever country one moves to. My point is that if it doesn’t happen, it’s not a big deal. If I moved to China and made no attempt to learn Chinese, how is that an affront to China? No doubt my children and their children would be speaking Chinese quicker and better than myself. I don’t see a problem with this, but I guess apparently some people do.

[afx114]

[quote=weberlin]Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.[/quote]

No need to get defensive, I was simply sharing my thoughts on the subject. I agree with you that efforts should be made to learn the language of whatever country one moves to. My point is that if it doesn’t happen, it’s not a big deal. If I moved to China and made no attempt to learn Chinese, how is that an affront to China? No doubt my children and their children would be speaking Chinese quicker and better than myself. I don’t see a problem with this, but I guess apparently some people do.

[afx114]

[quote=weberlin]Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.[/quote]

No need to get defensive, I was simply sharing my thoughts on the subject. I agree with you that efforts should be made to learn the language of whatever country one moves to. My point is that if it doesn’t happen, it’s not a big deal. If I moved to China and made no attempt to learn Chinese, how is that an affront to China? No doubt my children and their children would be speaking Chinese quicker and better than myself. I don’t see a problem with this, but I guess apparently some people do.

[Author]

Posts