Onda Latina

The KUT Longhorn Radio Network Presents: Mexican American Experience Collection

Audio recordings including interviews, music, and informational programs related to the Mexican American community and their concerns in the series "The Mexican American Experience" and "A esta hora conversamos" from the Longhorn Radio Network, 1976-1982.

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PROGRAM INFO

Title:
Bilingual Education: Is It Really Working?
Program #
1976-11
Themes:
Politics, Society

Series:
Education
Host:
Richard Goodman
Guests:
, Richard Goodman
Date:
Dec 1, 1976

Bilingual Education: Is It Really Working?

Host Richard Goodman discusses the origins development and future of Bilingual educational programs for Mexican Americans.

Bilingual programs, which aim to help children function in two languages, are securing a solid place within the Texas school system. The Texas Education Agency has developed a manual for implementing such programs, which teach basic concepts in the first language, then proceed to instruct language development and other subjects in both the first and second languages. The manual emphasizes the development of a positive self-image for the student—a critical dimension for Mexican Americans, who have experienced severe discrimination for speaking Spanish. Because many Americans associate speaking a second language with lower class status, the TEA manual suggests that schools develop programs that teach the history and culture associated with Spanish. For years, Mexican Americans have used similar concepts in informal schools to teach English to children or help preserve the use of Spanish in their communities.

Today’s bilingual programs have been plagued by various problems, including the lack of trained teachers. Moreover, a vocal opposition mistakenly believes bilingual education wants to teach all children Spanish. Goodman explains that in reality, the program seeks to help children learn in the easiest way for each child.

KEYWORDS

Alonso Perales
Assimilation
Bilingual Education
Bilingualism
Children
Curriculum
Developing Standards
English Only
Escuelitas
Immersion
La Escuela de los 400
Language Discrimination
League of United Latin American Citizens
LULAC
Multiculturalism
Opposition to Bilingual Education
Public Education
Resource Manual for Implementing Bilingual Educational Program
School of Four Hundred
Segregation
Self-Image
State board of education
Stereotyping
Texas Education Agency
Training programs
 

Center for Mexican American Studies | Department of History | The Benson Latin American Collection

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