Social Awareness Activity: Bilingualism
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Description - This investigation explores how second languages are taught in the United States and Costa Rica, the implications of naming official languages, and the value the countries place on being bilingual/multilingual.
Grade Level: Middle – high school
Necessary Technology – Access to computers with internet connections, email capability, Skype preferred.
Collaboration - Students will work in groups of six, splitting the work among pairs. Two students to research how second languages are taught, two students to research official languages, and two students to research the value placed on being bilingual. Students will research in pairs each day and have time to colloborate and share findings with their group of six. Each group will be assigned a partner group in the other country. The first week will be spent researching and creating a Wiki for the group's own country. The second week will be spent emailing/Skyping and sharing information between countries. The last day will be presenting with the other country.
Activity – This assignment consists of a general list of questions on bilingual issues. Students in my classroom in America will research the issues and answer the questions. Meanwhile, students in a classroom in a Spanish-speaking country will answer the same questions on bilingualism in relation to their respective country. Once the research has been gathered, students from both countries will collaborate via Skype or email in order to exchange and discuss information. The students will then create a presentation in Wikispaces comparing the differences and similarities in bilingual issues in the two countries.
Time Frame - This assignment will take place over two week period, approximately 10 one-hour class periods.
Issues to be researched
How are second languages taught in your country?
Second languages are taught in public and private schools.
How is English taught to immigrants?
There are two schools of thought when it comes to educating students who are English Language Learners: Bilingul Education and English Immersion/English Only. Bilingual Education teaches subjects such as math, social studies, science, and even reading in the student's native language, while English is taught in a seperate class. Engish Immersion Education teaches all subjects in English.
When does this education typically begin?
English Language Learners begin learning English as soon as they enter a public/private school setting and are identified as an English Language Learner.
How are second languages taught to students whose first language is English?
Formal second language instruction is taught in public and private schools. Typically an hour or less of this instruction occurs daily. Subjects such as math, social studies,and science are not taught in the second language. English is used throughout the school day, with the exception of the second language class. Many times English is still spoken during the second language class, however in more advances courses only the second language is spoken. French, Spanish, and German are common second laguages taught in public and private schools.
When does this education typically begin?
Although some elementary schools offer Spanish instruction, second language instruction does not typically begin until the 7th grade or higher. Middle schools and high school often offer second languages as elective courses for students to choose. The vast majority of states do not require foreign language courses for high school graduation. Therefore, it is possible some students are never exposed to foreign language instruction before they graduate high school.
Does your country have an official language? No.
What are the implications of having an official language? Many of the implications are legalistic in nature. If there exists an official language, residents of the country are expected to communicate in that language for all practical purposes. If the US had an official language, the federal government would no longer provide multilingual communications and services, except for those already guaranteed by law.
Is this a major issue in your country? Yes.
Why or why not? Languages commonly spoken in the USA include English, Spanish, Hawaiian, French, and Native American languages. Spanish is the second most common language. While some feel that Spanish and English should be made official languages, there exist and have existed wide-spread “English-only movements” since 1800. The growing number of Hispanic immigrants makes this issue of great importance today.
How is being bilingual viewed in your country? Since English is the dominant international language, many feel that being bilingual is unnecessary. Learning a second language is far less encouraged than in most other countries.
Is it important or valued? By some.
Why or why not? Some people understand the benefits of learning and knowing a second language, while others feel that bilingualism is unnecessary in an English dominated society.
What percentage of people are bilingual/multilingual in your country? 82% of the US population speak only English at home.
How many languages are spoken in your country? 337 langauges are spoken or signed in the United States.
Resources
http://www.easternct.edu/depts/edu/textbooks/bilingual.html
http://www.jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jar/BME.html
http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/c2kbr-29.pdf
http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/pubs/nabe/brj/v17/17_12_fitzgerald.pdf
