Language is what enables people to communicate. Language makes it possible to talk to one another and to express thoughts and ideas. We are aware that language is the focal point of education. As a bilingual student, I understand the importance of language and how it has a great impact in our education. When I came to this country, I was in an ESL class. As Part of the kindergarten class, I was taught in English and Spanish. At times I found it to be confusing because I was not only focusing in one language, but two. At such a young age, I absorbed English and Spanish phrases. However, my parents took me out of the bilingual class, and I was placed in a standard class. They wanted me to have complete contact with the English language. I have learned that even those who have been bilingual since birth are somewhat dominant in one language more than the other. In fact, being bilingual means to have control of two languages. In school, I learned how to express myself more precisely both in speaking and writing in the English language. Also, language plays a crucial role in the way human beings behave and think.
In the essay "Bilingualism: Assimilation is more than ABCs", Jorge R. Mancillas suggests to the reader that,"those who oppose bilingual education are propelled more by fear of others"(515). I disagree with his comment simply because this is the United States and one should learn the English language fluently. I don't think that a person coming from another country should be placed in a bilingual class. In my opinion, that will slow down their ability to learn English. Mancillas says,"[he] struggled to maintain [a C average]"(514). He struggled because he was not apt to be in a normal class, he was not ready to be in a normal English environment. Even though he studied English in Mexico, he doesn't have an adequate amount of "real" American education. Although, I do agree that a person from another country should use his/her language as a bridge into the English language.
