Do you think teachers should be giving directions in both english and spanish?

Question

I work in a school and have noticed a couple of bi-lingual teachers giving assignment directions in both english and spanish. What do you think of this idea? Should it be started, or should we teach in English only? KM

Answer 1

It depends on your "clientele."  If English is super limited for a bunch of your students and you can do it, why not!  They hear them in both English and Spanish, so they are getting the English.  I used to make study guide papers in Spanish for a student who had very limited English!  It is called an accommodation!

Answer 2

If the teacher teaches Spanish...then yes, other then that NO WAY!

Answer 3

I agree with Annie and Kyle!  We should be teaching in English only (unless it is a foreign language class)!  

Both posters made several good points about immigration that I could reiterate, but I'll just refer you back to those posts...

That being said, I teach music in a middle school with a very small Hispanic population.  Sometimes in class, I will pepper in some foreign language, but not as a means for aiding non-English speakers in understanding my directions.  I use non-English words (usually Italian and Spanish, but sometimes French, German, and Latin) to expand student understanding of the musical context or to keep kids on their toes if I feel like they need to refocus.

Answer 4

This really gets my goat.  Especially when I hear the ignorant statement, "we were all immigrants once."  The first thing my ancestors did when they entered the U.S. was to learn the language.  If immigrants truly want to be here for a better life, they need to learn the language.  Do you suppose if you moved to Mexico, you could demand that your child be taught in English?  Not a chance.  I respect the fact that they have their own customs, which they have every right to practice in their homes.  But don't come to this country and start demanding things.  If your country of birth was so wonderful, you wouldn't be here.

Answer 5

Depends on the context. If there is a high population of spanish-speaking students and the teacher is bi-lingual, then it's just common sense to teach that way. But if the vast majority of the students are english-speaking, then it would be best to teach the class in english only.

Answer 6

Sure, let's work teachers harder than what they already work. Let's put more requirements on them, something worse than No Child Left Behind.  

I disagree that teachers should give lessons in both languages.  If someone wants to come to the country and live, let them learn our ways.  English is a language spoken worldwide. Why cripple the poor immigrants more than they already are by enabling them to stay uneducated?  Have them learn English.  Maybe add a few Spanish-to-English instructors, but if they want to make it in America, immersion is the only way.

If I moved to France, I would learn French. If I moved to Mexico, I would learn Spanish.  I'm from Austria and only knew German and learned English when I moved to America.  Enough said.