Several pertinent points were raised in this article that resonated with me. First, Jaumont believes that dual education should be the norm. According to him “When quality bilingual education is available to everyone—in public schools across the country from preschool to college—our children’s chances of success improve, our schools flourish, and our communities thrive.” I concur with his statement on the premise that bilingual education does have many advantages for all entities in society and a country. Several literature attest to this statement. To him, “bilingual education is a universal good that should be offered everywhere, because it can constructively change a child, a school, a community, and even a country”. Thus all schools should be on board with this agenda or be left behind in the future.
While it is true that “Bilingual education means different things to different people” and consequently pursued for different reasons, whether economic, cognitive development or social needs, all perspectives must ultimately be “weaved together” for the common goal of pushing bilingualism in schools. Lastly and very strikingly is his statement that “immigrant children raised in environments where their parents’ language are valued, learned the dominant language faster”. Not only is this a stunning statement but it is contrary to longstanding myth that learning dual language confuses the learner. Second language learning is certainly beneficial and must be pursued by all, parents, educators and institutions alike.
Credit
Jaumont, F. (2018) The Future of Education is Two Languages. Retrieved from https://www.languagemagazine.com/2018/05/16/the-future-of-education-is-in-two-languages/
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