Spanish spelling bee may violate state law

azcentral.com ^ | Apr. 16, 2004 | Yvonne Wingett

[FITZ]

However, I'm going to say that while they are learning English, they need to maintain their abilities in Spanish.

It's okay --- it's even good to know a foreign language but most of these kids know Spanish from their homes --- our government should be teaching them the language of this country. If they want to learn Spanish, it's always better to learn back in some Spanish speaking country. Anyone who wants to learn a foreign language will take one of the student exchange programs and learn the right way. My kid was taking Spanish taught by a Chicana who was actually teaching "Spanglish". Totally incorrect.

[FITZ]

I saw that in college --- what most Chicanos learn is a street Spanglish and if a native speaker of Spanish teaches the class, they're in big trouble because they think they already know it --- but don't. All 5 Chicanos in my Spanish class were out before the first exam because the professor was from Colombia and had no use for their slang. I remember thinking on that first day that it wasn't fair ---- it looked like 5 were already fluent and taking the class for what they thought would be an easy A --- but out of 25 students only 11 were left by the end of the semester.

[mtbopfuyn]

What?!? Surely Arizona has foreign language electives in middle school and high school since it's a requirement for college. I'm willing to wager they have Social Studies units on Mexico and they must learn some Spanish words to pass the test. I'd bet they also have some sort of preparatory second language lessons in the lower grades. And let's not forget that a good portion of Arizona speaks only Spanish and their children must be enrolled in an English as a Second Language class.

[Gabz]

This is where I disagree with you. I believe public schools here should be in English only.

While I agree English should be the only language for teaching curriculum, I firmly believe in mandatory classes in foreign language.

I was learning Spanish and latin in elementary school in the mid and late 60s. My HS required 3 years of French and 2 years of Spanish or Latin for graduation, in addition I also took 5 years of English during the same 4 year period.

[Clara Lou]

This is where I disagree with you. I believe public schools here should be in English only.
I wasn't clear in my post. I meant that these students could take the same Spanish-as-foreign language courses that English-speaking students take. I didn't mean a curriculum (science, math, etc.,) in Spanish.

[KC_for_Freedom]

If this had been a Christian spelling be instead, you can be sure the school would have been protested

You are quite correct. However, I am not sure I care if the school has a Spanish spelling bee in an English class. If the rules completely prohibit any spanish, then its a closed issue. If the spelling bee was a reward for work in English that was well done, then I have no problem.

It is important to realize that "Intensive English" works for these second language students. One year is often enought to change their future in the US educational system.

What about the english speaking kids in class, if they are learning spanish, then this is "bilingual" education. A system that has been shown to fail the spanish kids. (Reference California prior to instituting intensive english and dropping the traditional bilingual approach.) The school should also not be paying teachers who are bilingual a special stypend, this was part of the "bilingual" game and resulted in kids learning english as slowly as was allowed so the teachers could keep their higher salaries.

As far as bilingual goes, it will not be hurt by teaching kids english if spanish is their primary language. They will become bilingual, and don't need a little spanish now and then to keep it up. (They can take spanish in high school if their home learning does not include proper spelling and grammer.

[DumpsterDiver]

...I firmly believe in mandatory classes in foreign language.

Just to make sure I understand you correctly... mandatory classes to learn a foreign language, not classes conducted in a foreign language, correct?

Well, I don't know about that. When I was in grades 7 thru 12 (1957-1963), a minimum of two years of a foreign language was required of students taking college prep courses. It wasn't a requirement for kids who were taking what was called General Education courses.

[Gabz]

Just to make sure I understand you correctly... mandatory classes to learn a foreign language, not classes conducted in a foreign language, correct?

Correct, sorry for any misunderstanding.

When I was in HS (1974-78) 2 years of foreign language were mandatory for anyone seeking a HS diploma, not just college prep......college prep generally required 3 years. My college prep HS was an exception with the 5 year/2 language requirement.

I remember friends of mine seeking variances to attend HS outside the district we lived in, just in order to be able to take a specific foreign language.

[jmstein7]

New FReeper Anti-Kerry Ad: John Kerry Was Warned About 9/11 and Did Nothing

[DumpsterDiver]

I think my school's requirement for only 2 years of a foreign language was because that's all they offered! After 2 years of Spanish, I was free to go ahead and take another 2 years of either French or Latin. Different times, different school districts, different requirements, etc.

[Gabz]

Different times, different school districts, different requirements, etc.

Exactly.

I still believe the learning of a foreign languagee should remain a requirement, but that's just me.

[DumpsterDiver]

I still believe the learning of a foreign languagee should remain a requirement, but that's just me.

My only hesitancy in making it a requirement is that not all students have either the aptitude, desire or need for it. The same goes for, say, algebra and geometry. Not everyone is going to be attending college.

I'm only familiar with the Los Angeles City School District and they seem to have problems just teaching kids to read, write and do basic arithmetic.

Well, enough of my theories on education. I'm off to go straighten out the rest of life's problems now! After that, I'm gonna eat lunch. LOL

[Gabz]

LOL!!!

Being on the east coast, I ate lunch hours ago!!!!

I had little to no apptitude for math or science, but was required to take 4 years of both.........OTOH I also went to Catholic, not public school.

[JenB]

My only hesitancy in making it a requirement is that not all students have either the aptitude, desire or need for it.

I'll second this. I took three years of Spanish classes during high school (though it was pretty casual, as I took them at a homeschool co-op and we probably didn't do as much as we could) and then a year in college, to fulfill reqirements. Three years later, I can basically say, "Do you speak English" and "Where is the bathroom". I can read it a great deal better than that, but I seem to have an inability to translate the sounds I'm hearing into English.

Part of it is I never wanted to learn Spanish. I dislike the way almost all foreign language sound. (Finnish, Japanese and Latin being the exceptions so far). Personally I feel that I shouldn't have to speak another language, everyone should speak English, but that's just me. Someone will make money translating for me, should I ever need to speak to a foreigner.

[DumpsterDiver]

I dislike the way almost all foreign language sound.

Same here. For some reason, it just grates on my nerves.

(Finnish, Japanese and Latin being the exceptions so far).

My exceptions are French, Armenian and Swahili.

Someone will make money translating for me, should I ever need to speak to a foreigner.

I'll also be paying for a translator. Maybe one of them will give us a volume discount.

[Clara Lou]

You can nitpick all you want, it's still nitpicking. You are wrong, and I have proved it. Deal with it.

[Clara Lou]

Actually, I want to amend my post #36 to you. You are not "nitpicking" in your #18, you are just w-r-o-n-g. There is no difference in the pronunciation of "Me gusta esta tienda" and "Me gusta ésta." It's ridiculous to pretend that there is a difference in pronunciation. Whether you speak "fluent" Spanish is irrelevant to your knowledge of Spanish orthography and pronunciation. ~End of communication~

[Henrietta]

"You are not "nitpicking" in your #18, you are just w-r-o-n-g. "

Right, Clara Lou...maybe in your high-school Spanish world! LOL! The rest of us know the difference!

[TankerKC]

Religion and language are quite different, wouldn't you argee? I took Spanish in High School (and, yes, we hade to spell the words correctly). Religion was not offered.