Question

(a) In transitional bilingual education (TBE), instruction is mostly in the child’s native language. TBE provides some English instruction and gradually increases the use of English as students’ English skills increase. (b) In contrast to TBE, structured English immersion (SEI) teachers instruct mostly in English from the earliest stages using students’ native languages only as needed. I encourage you to consider the following questions during your threaded discussion of this issue. Keep in mind that you are free to think of additional questions you might like to ask as well. Do you believe transitional bilingual education should be offered in American schools? Why or why not? Should small children be taught a second language? Explain. Should learning a second language be a requirement to graduate from high school? How about college? Why do you feel this way? Have you ever taken a foreign language course? If so, have you found it useful? If not, would you be interested in taking such a course? Why or why not?

Answer 1

One of the most fascinating things about children is that they are very quick in learning any language provided they are in that environment. This is because they are not shy, they are open and they love learning languages. So, in my opinion, structured English Immersion technique would suit the children. Adults on the other hand are very shy and not much open towards language learning. So for them Transitional Bilingual Education would work because they would become normal and casual if they are taught in their language and gradually taken towards English. I think a second language should be made mandatory in the school days and for the admission into higher education because the world is becoming more global. I haven’t learnt a second language yet but I would love to learn one because I would be working with people from different countries.

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