Date:  Fri, 8 Sep 1995 14:07:20 MST

From:  Tom Uharriet <UTOM[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ADMN.712.NEBO.EDU>

Subject: English Only



We all learn more of our own languages by studying others'. Whatever

the law, we should all learn to speak outside of our own back yards.



As far as legislation goes, I believe that an English Only law could

help immigrants to integrate. Sometimes a little added motivation is

a good thing. I am particularly thinking of the children. In the

name of fairness, we have been seeking to teach them in their own

language so that we would not leave them out of the education system.

The result is that we teach the standard subjects and leave them out

of the whole Engllish speaking society. Until they learn English,

they will always be as foreigners (even if they and their parents

were born here). Living in the US without being taught English

certainly hurts them more than letting other academic subjects suffer

for a few semesters.



Some argue that theaching them English should be limited to their ESL

(English as a Second Language) class. However, it is clear that

total imersion in a language is the best way to teach it. It is

learned much faster, much more completely, and much more

permanantly. The entire educational system breaks down for these

disadvantaged children when we drag out the English learning while

teaching other subjects in other languages.







Tom Uharriet

Springville, Utah

utom[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]admin.712.nebo.edu