Customer Reviews

Why Don't They Learn English?: Separating Fact from Fallacy in the U.S. Language Debate (Language and Literacy Series)

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A must-read for anyone who works with immigrants or language learners; for bi- or multi-linguals and those considering such for their children; and for anyone who has contributed to the spread of ignorance regarding immigrants, language learning, and bilingualism. (My grandmother will be receiving a copy.) It's an easy and interesting read, touching on a variety of topics and providing an extensive bibliography for those wishing to learn more. Enjoy!

This book is very good at addressing the concerns of people who are afraid of the apparent lack of English fluency in immigrant populations. It is also an important resource for those of us trying to explain why those people are wrong.

I worked for Dr. Tse years ago, as a graduate assistant, so I'm a little biased.

The first three chapters of this book are the best. Tse presents data to prove that immigrants, in fact, are learning English. Bilingual education doesn't mean that English has to be lost. Nor does it mean that the home language must be abandoned.

It is a quick read, but still packed with information. We use it as a reference tool for arguments regarding bilingual education.

In education, it is said that as goes California, so goes the Nation. This is certainly true in when it comes to the question of language.

The Bilingual Education movement started here, with Lau vs. Nichols being a class action case against the San Francisco school district. California was the first state to mandate bilingual education programs, under the governorship of Ronald Reagan (surprise!). The English-Only movement started here too, with Ron Utz's Proposition 227. The debate was heated and viscous with Utz on one side and researchers like Stephen Kraschen on the other side throwing personal attacks and research that is inaccessible to the general public back and forth to support their positions. Ultimately the voters approved the "English Only" prop 227, and Utz went on to bring similar propositions to other states.

It is unfortunate that the electorate was not well informed by either side in this debate and ultimately made their decisions on an emotional basis.

This book goes a long way to explaining the issues surrounding English Learners, and it is too bad that this was not available at the time of Prop 227. Tse makes the research accessible, and clearly explains the difference between "additive" (English AND your language) and "subtractive" (English INSTEAD OF your language) bilingualism, and the damage to communities and family structure that comes from the latter. She also shows that non-English speaking communities persist not because immigrants refuse to learn English but because they DO learn English, move out of the "ethnic" neighborhoods and are replace by new immigrants from the same cultural background who will eventually learn English as well.

I have read widely on this topic, and this book is one of the most accessible presentations that I have read. I would recommend it to anyone (not just educators) interested in either multiculturalism or language policy.

amazing book, great for anyone working with bilingual children or adults!! provides lots of details and studies to support her claims!