When young Hispanic-Americans enter an elementary classroom for the first time, they face numerous Psychological and educational barriers. Immediately, they recognize that the language spoken by the teacher and classmates is completely unfamiliar to them. While other students are laughing and conversing with one another the Hispanic Children are forced to sit quietly, alienated from the mainstream classroom. Children learn their native language in the context of a caring family. Within this context, they communicate with those they love and respect. However, once Hispanic children get to school, their native language may be neglected, and this creates problems that are very difficult to solve causing long term disabilities in many of them. .
Undoubtedly, this leads to feelings of isolation for many Hispanic-American children, and this is certainly detrimental to the learning process. The sad truth about this situation is that America, which prides itself on being "the land of equal opportunity" is not totally succeeding in providing the programs necessary for these children to excel.
Initially, these children who know only Spanish feel inadequate and second class. These feelings are likely to stay with the children creating numerous psychological problems. The loss of self esteem may never be made up, so that even when English is finally learned, these students feel worthless or at best second-rate.
Furthermore, Spanish speaking students may not learn to read quickly or well enough in these beginning stages Learning to read is a difficult enough task to accomplish without having to learn a new language at the same time. Yet, many Hispanic-American students are forced to do both simultaneously. The result, in most instances, is impaired progress.
The obvious solution, to several of these problems, is bilingual instruction for elementary students. Bilingual education, which employs the child's native language for instruction, speeds learning and helps children feel good about their ability and their culture.
