Reply to Language Immersion Schools and Reading Levels

Forum Index » DC Public and Public Charter Schools

Reply to "Language Immersion Schools and Reading Levels"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There are cognitive differences between monolinguals and bilinguals, but I think it's a stretch to regard one or the other as "superior" cognitively (although bilinguals have the language advantage, obviously).

Bilinguals are better at tasks requiring extended use of executive function; switching tasks, focusing attention, inhibiting external stimulus.

Monolinguals are quicker at word recall. But at a slightly greater risk of dementia.[/quote]

If this was true, bilinguals the world over would be cognitively superior, which they clearly aren't. More students in other countries speak more than one other language, most children in African countries for example speak English as well as other language. [b]There are so many issues involved, if you can learn two languages early great; however, it is more important to be proficient in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the dominant language of the country you reside in.[/b] As others have also stated, it is important to learn the language outside the classroom. If learning a non-dominant language in the classroom was merely sufficient then ELL students would not be struggling at DCPS or nationwide, especially Latino students. [/quote]

Soooo, what I'm getting here is that being bilingual does not result in cognitive advantages because "look at all those dumb ass African and Latino kids".  Is that about right? [/quote]

This.  DH taught English in an African country in the Peace Corp.  The kids who were taught English were the elite who went on to be high ranking government functionaries.  Not everyone is taught English.  In fact, in the country he taught in most kids only went to school up to 6th grade.[/quote]

They didn't become high-ranking government functionaries on account of cognitive advantages bestowed by bilingualism.  They went on to their jobs because they were a) children of high-ranking government functionaries already, and b) to a lesser degree, were taught a high-status language.  Do you think children from poor families who happen to speak two low-status African languages wold fare as well?[/quote]

No, they didn't become functionaries bc of the "cognitive advantages..."  No...  THAT issue was something that NEVER came up.  The poor kids probably never went to school at all and [b]basically stayed illiterate even in their primary language.  Not all that different from some kids who go to DCPS.[/b][/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics