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PUERTO RICO - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE CONTROVERSY Int

PUERTO RICO - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE CONTROVERSY

This research paper presents the current controversy regarding the official language of Puerto Rico. Pros and cons are examined for both languages.

English First is an organization that targets the United States and is dedicated toward making English the official language. Spanish First is a group that targets Puerto Rico and strives to preserve the Spanish language. Because the two groups target different populations, they do not contradict each other; they both battle against government programs that impose bilingual education on public schools and children (Harrop 1104K6384).

Spanish First was formed to respond to the Puerto Rican Department of Education and it's controversial program to make English a second language of instruction in the public schools. Although English has been widely taught in Puerto Rico, asking instructors to teach mathematics, history, and other subjects in English is a new concept. Increasing fluency in English is intended to improve Puerto Rico's chances of becoming the 51st state (Harrop 1104K6384).

There is concern in Washington about adding a non-English-speaking state to the union. Puerto Ricans are concerned about joining an overwhelmingly English-speaking country; most do not speak English. Alternatively, Puerto Ricans view bilingual education as an attack on their culture. Puerto Rico is a Spanish-speaking country and changing instruction to English results in an overwhelming fear of Americanization (Harrop 1104K6384).

Practical concerns are also a consideration. Puerto Rican schools face a scarcity of funds for sciences, mathematics, and literature. Test scores demonstrate a declining proficiency in Spanish. Bilingual education is an added expense and many teachers do not have full command of the English language. The American debate regarding bilingual education also has problems. Bilingual education in the United State...

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PUERTO RICO - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE CONTROVERSY Int. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 00:10, March 19, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1709031.html