A major theme that I noticed in this reading is that other languages are thought to pose a threat to English language. Many opponents of bilingualism seem to interpret it as the major use of a language other than English, rather than the use of two languages, and they look down at those who are bilingual. What so many people don't understand is that, as research shows, learning in your native language shows rapid advantages when switching to the “standard” language. Also, knowing more languages makes you stronger in your native language, especially a language like English, one that borrows from other languages so readily. To prove the advantages of bilingualism, it is helpful to give examples of people who are actually bilingual: those who can choose one of two languages depending on the appropriateness of the situation, along with the evidence of increased test scores and enhanced self-esteem of bilingual children. Advantages include, immigrants who, as we read, are eager to learn and use English, but also want to maintain their ethnicity and own language.
In terms of testing, it is stated on page 220 that “Because many aspects of intelligence are learned or mediated through specific cultural experiences…it is impossible to devise a test of intelligence which is context-free and culture-independent.” My question here is then, how can we determine an individual’s intelligence while avoiding cultural bias for those who are bilingual? And when discussing bilingual education, why is it that foreign language education in the world’s major languages is seen as valuable while bilingual education for minority students is equated with poverty? Why should one be above the other? It seems to me that racism may be part of that answer.