Learn to Speak Spanish
Why Bilingual is Best
For some time, the ability to speak Spanish has also been recognized as a useful political tool. This is made even more obvious in places such as Florida, where the state is heavily populated with Hispanics. It has even been said that not being able to speak fluent Spanish would be a sure way to lose a political race in such a climate (Cardenas, 2005). During one attempt to promote awareness of bilingualism in politics by the Republican Party, U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez delivered a speech to the Senate in Spanish. The Hispanic population has been traditionally in favor of the Democrats; therefore, any effort to sway such interest needs to be in the voter's native tongue.
It is a naive politician who ridicules bilingualism in politics. Newt Gingrich openly opposed bilingualism and dismissed the idea of printing voting documents in other languages. Perhaps Gingrich's (2007) reference to bilingualism as "the language of living in a ghetto" ultimately determined his role in 'certain' elections (para.1).
Bilingual teaching programs have proven to be effective. Realistically, it is not possible for a fluently bilingual student to be disadvantaged. It was reported that "students in developmental bilingual programs - which featured a gradual transition to English - significantly outperformed their counterparts in quick-exit, transitional bilingual programs and in all-English immersion programs when all three groups were tested in English" (Ramirez et al., 1991, para. 7).
It has been shown that English itself can be detrimental to learning for students who speak other languages. This is because English is a subject of the curriculum as well as a means of communication (Brice, Shaunessy, Hughes, McHatten, & Ratcliff, 2008). Students who are able to transition with ease between two languages were found to have an academic edge over students who are part of an English Language Learning (ELL) program (Brice et al., 2008).
Learning to speak Spanish is not just for fun anymore, or if you plan to travel. In U.S. society today, it is becoming a necessity. Whatever your job capacity is, there will come a time where you will likely be demoted or laid off if you are not bi-lingual. Being able to speak Spanish can also give you an excellent reason to request a raise in salary. Why not grab a book, search the net, or ask a Spanish speaking local for some lessons? Spanish is not a complicated language, and it is surprising how fluent you can become with just a little effort.
References
Associated Press. (2007, March). Gingrich links bilingual education and 'ghetto'. Republican former House
speaker mocks printing ballots in other languages. Retrieved November 2008, from MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17889756/
Brice, A., Shaunessy, E., Hughes, C., McHatton, P., & Ratliff, M. (2008, Fall2008). What Language Discourse Tells
Us About Bilingual Adolescents: A Study of Students in Gifted Programs and Students in General Education
Programs. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 32(1), 7-33. Retrieved November 30, 2008, from
EBSCOhost database.
Corral, O. (2005, February). Bilingual Politicians Gaining Clout. U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez's use of Spanish in the
Senate highlights a growing trend among Florida politicians. Retrieved November 208, from Puerto Rico Herald:
http://puertoricoherald.org/issues2/2005/vol09n21/BilingPolit.html
National Association for Bilingual Education. (n.d.). Does Bilingual Education Really Work? . Retrieved
November 2008, from National Association for Bilingual Education:
http://www.nabe.org/education/effective.html
Published by Kerry Mulherin
Kerry is a freelance writer and blogger. She is currently working toward an advanced degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with an emphasis on web business, member productivity and motivation, and i... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentNicely written :)
I would love to learn Spanish. I know a little... very little. I get mixed up with the masculine and feminine though and that drives me nuts.
This is just wrong. This is the United States of America, the trditional language is English, and if you want to become a part of it, an entire country, or state in this case, should not have to learn the language of the immigrants. They should learn the language of the country they've moved to.
Gracias very good read!
It's becoming more and more vital to know how to speak or understand Spanish if you live in Texas!
Gracias para la información mi amigo!
English isn't my first language either :) and I always found it puzzling why many Americans were so adverse to learning a second language. It has nothing to do with "giving in" ...it has to do with learning how to effectively communicate with your neighbors or people you do business with. In Europe where countries are so tightly packed up against each other, not knowing at least a couple of other languages restricted your business dealings/job opportunities. I took 5 years of HS & college Spanish ~ wish I had kept up with it because I sure could use it now.
I wanted to take Spanish in high school, but my mom made me take French. She said "where will you ever use Spanish"? I have never let her live it down.
We Northern Mexicans aren't comfortable with the change.
When I used to teach Spanish, I told my students, "Spanish is not a foreign language. It is our second language." You may not get a job JUST to sit and speak Spanish all day, but if you can add Spanish to your whole kit of marketable skills, it will help.