Those who are against bilingual education are usually associated with being called a racist because they are not willing to accept any other language in our society.  They think that a child should only be taught English and should learn it fast.

Those who are for bilingual education are the complete opposite.  They believe that all students should learn in their native language either before they learn English or at the same time.  They believe that all programs are effective should be used to teach English Learners not only English but their native language also.

Those who are not completely against or not completely for reserve their opinions for certain programs.  They are not as big of a group because they do not all agree.  The programs I think are effective and have data to back it up is, English Immersion, Dual education, and English as a second language work effectively in a good time frame.

English as a second language is like a tutoring program provided for the students who are learning English.  They are put into the mainstream society and pulled out several times a week to help them with their English.  They are also provided with a special class that only has others who speak their native language in it. This is given so they can help each other and not feel alone in their struggle.

English Immersion is a classroom structured program where all English Learners are in a class together and the teacher is only speaking English.  If the students need clarification then the teacher will speak their native language in order to explain it.  This program is the fast track to teaching children English but keeping them together so they do not feel alone in the struggle to learn English.

The last program is dual education.  This an environment where all the content is taught half in the native language and the other half taught in English. This program allowed the students to be fluent not only in their native language, but also in English.  This program is extremely effective because it gives the students a step they will need in today’s society.

LINKS

http://www.proenglish.org/issues/education/beindex.html

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.hunemorder/home

http://www.nea.org