Bilingual Education During Hard Times

Sadness enveloped me as I scanned Maria S. Quezada’s recent article in which she boasted the merits of bilingual skills. Having taught elementary education for nearly 37 years, I was troubled by the content of this publication.

With the economic situation in the public schools so disastrous that educators are forced to accept payroll cuts with a major adjustment of their budgets, I can’t help recall the classical phrase quoted by Marie Antoinette of France. “If they have no bread, let them eat cake.”

Yes, there is little or no “bread” in the state fund earmarked for education but finances are available to support the induction of the second language as part of the regular day. This is a frill we can no longer afford. Even though a federal grant has made this program possible it can surely be put to more practical measures by diverting this money to basic fundamentals.

Giving children the opportunity to learn different languages can by no means assure they will put this knowledge to good use. So few use these skills after their academic studies have ended. The percentage of careers requiring more than the universal language is extremely low. Those involved in professions that require bilingualism receive training during their secondary education and college preparation.

There are many families that desire their offspring to retain their native tongue. Conversation within the household can accomplish this goal. Suggesting that the school furnish this fluff is unrealistic amid this bleak depressed economy.

In the early 1950s there were no bilingual grants in the area in which I was a teacher. ESL (English as a second language) by method of the classroom was a proven success with the comprehension of English. The ESL instructor provided a valuable service with the daily lessons for the non-English-speaking student. Taking precedent over anything else, the uppermost aim of today’s educational curriculum in California should be to provide the necessities of life.

FLORENCE G. LAUB

Laguna Hills