English in schools
Each class at all levels have a large number of students that does not speak, read or understand English How is any teacher suppose to teach in this environment? Take the Aurora public system as an example. According the superintendent of public schools the schools have 49.55 percent of Latino students.
A large amount of these students do not speak English. According to the Rocky Mountain News in an article just before the past school year ended, 62 percent of the students in Aurora Central High school could not speak English.
The teacher did not speak Spanish. The students were reading from children books. How are the other 38 percent suppose the learn any thing if the teacher while the teacher is trying to get thru to those who does not speak English? Colorado must pass laws the state that all students must be proficient in English before the can be placed in a main stream class. If this means the they must be placed in English immersion classes until they are fluent in English so be it. Those student that can speak English must not be held back! If a student cannot perform at a grade level he or she must be held back until they can do so. Parents with student that are not being taught the basics because of those who do not know or want to know how to communicate in English should contact their representatives and demand these changes. Your children future is at stake.
This letter has not been edited.
Great point Carmel. Facts are facts. Too bad the people in power could care less. After all, todays children will be tomorrows pack-mules.
Posted by on August 8, 2007 02:27 PMI don't care if your children speak Swahili and 10 other languages ...if they don't speak English they should not be allowed to enroll in American schools. Period!!
Posted by A on August 8, 2007 04:27 PMFind and deport illegal aliens.
Posted by No money left on August 8, 2007 04:50 PMUh Oh , you are all going to be called racists and bigots by the Big Blog Hollier Than Thou who goes by the name of Truth.
You can't say stuff that is true because "Truth " is our resident know it all.
Though he knows nothing and is a hypocrite.
COME OUT!! COME OUT!! WHEREVER YOU ARE UNTRUTH!!!!
Can't wait to read the " All Men are Created equal crap again.
engliish only classes will be taught in mexico starting in 3012 or I mean in california
Posted by on August 8, 2007 05:49 PMIt is time that the American school system took a lesson from the schools around the world and put some parental responsibility back into the education puzzle. It is the parent's responsibility to prepare their child for school. If that means that the child needs to learn English first at an extra expense to the family, then so be it. The American school system is being bogged down by the requirement to teach children who don't speak English.
Posted by idk on August 8, 2007 06:21 PMA few years ago, Colorado established English as its official language. Sadly, the are too many individuals, businesses and government agencies that are more interested in catering to a group than they are in insisting that people assimilate into US society.
A common language is not only useful as a means of effective communication, but something that helps to bind and define a nation. Its importance shouldn’t be minimized.
I hate to say this, but the original letter writer committed at least 13 glaring composition errors, indicating the need for further immersion in English classes, too. As a high school English teacher, I can't help but notice these things, and the irony of it occurring in a letter regarding the lack of English skills, to me, overshadows the writer's arguments.
Yes, this is a complicated issue (not "simple" at all) and stronger English language requirements are needed (but remember that "immersion" and "holding back" will cost taxpayers money!). But instead of just ranting about the kids who don't have adequate proficiency in English, please have a practical solution in mind.
Posted by Tom on August 9, 2007 08:16 AMWhy should Illegal Immigrants learn english? Most government literature is in spanish, there are just about as many spanish channels as english (basic service), cartoons, news, grocery ads, schools flyers - you name it - it's also written in spanish. SOooo with EVERYTHINg in english and spanish (Press El numero uno for Espaniol) where is the incentive for these folks to learn english? there is none. It's obvious that illegals do not come to America to assimilate but rather to stay as they are and take from this once great country. It's too bad OUR elected officials care more about illegal aliens than it's own citizens! It's an outrage actually and the civil rights of every American citzen are being trampled on and discarded!
Our ONLY hope is Tom Tancredo!
So are you folks hoping that by the time Hispanics have become the majority population group in the US, they will mostly be speaking English?
Denver has just reached that point, and by 2050 this will be the situation in most zipcodes across the nation.