A short article referring to bilingual education in today's society.

        I was reading a very small article under the "Letters" section in one of the local newspapers. I will share parts of it with all of you.
     "While I agree that schools should start teaching foreign language before high school, I do not agree that we should be forced to learn English and Spanish."
      I would think learning English a top priority. This is the language spoken in this country. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and sometimes speak a foreign language in the home. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this.
      However, when you venture to step outside the home English is the given language to communicate. This is also a vital part of the puzzle to assimilate into the culture. There is on the other hand a problem with the educational structure.
      I keep hearing about bilingual education, yet the only foreign language offered is Spanish. Why is that? What happened to the hundreds of other languages spoken around the world. Why is it only Spanish that is shoved down out throats?
     "The idea that Mr. Parks wants to push undermines the foundation on which this country was founded. You come to America as an immigrant and you assimilate. That means you learn the language of the country and you become a productive person and citizen."
     I could not have said it better myself.  In chapter five of my book, pages 95 - 96,  I address a portion of this issue from my own perspective.
     "Yes, they (my grandparents) had a much larger hurdle to overcome and that was to learn how to speak, read and write in English instead of their native tongue. They were never asked to learn to speak Spanish, which seems to be the main agenda of today's society.
      They took it upon themsleves to learn English because that was, is and hopefully will always be the main language spoken here in America.
      They kept all of the knowledge of their cultural traditions that they brought with them when they came here, around the turn of the twentiety century. That was important for them not to lose their basic heritage, but they also realized that if their children were to have any chance of a future they would have to learn the language and customs here.
      As I was growing up I was in a fortunate position to grow up in a bilingual home and I did it with pride. I was, as I am now, very proud of my family, my heritage and I am also very proud to ba an American as well. I believe that I was able to live with the very best of both worlds and then to be able to incorporate it all to where it has brought me to today.
     The illegal immigrants that are crossing our borders to sneak their way into our country really, in my opinion are wrong. I do understand their plight, but it is wrong the way they are doing it.
     If they want to come into our country then they should seek all of the legal channels that are available to them. Do it legally, even if it may take a little longer than they would like. To enter this country illegally is really an insult to my family and to many other families that did come here legally. Get my point?
     I really do understand what most of them are trying to do and why they have such an uncontrollable urge to leave their home to come here. I think sometimes that if I were in their shoes I would probably want to do the same thing.
     I mean leave the despiar and hopelessness of my home land and try to make a life for myself and my family in another country. The difference is that I would try to search for all of the legal channels and enter the country in the right way. Hopefully in time to become a productive citizen, if that is what my individual goals were to be." 
     
      Thank you for taking the time to read what I have written.