Loss Of Bilingual Education In Aria By Richard Rodriguez

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Bilingualism is commonly defined as the use of at least two languages by an individual (google). In education, it truly has more benefit to it than harm. Scientists all over the globe have proof that bilinguals are smarter than the average monolinguals. For one, being bilingual heightens the ability to monitor the environment. Two, it shows better executive control such as multi-tasking, memorization, and high-level thinking. Richard Rodriguez, writer and author of “Aria” mentions the use of multilingualism in school. He refers to the concept as, “bilingual education”, which is define as “an education in an English-language school system in which students with little fluency in English are taught in both their native language and English” (google). …show more content…

“After English became my primary language, I no longer knew what words to use in addressing my parents” (243). This quote is a cry for help, a cry to his foreign readers letting them know it is not worth it. Assimilation is not the way to go. Yet he is still in denial of the fact that he is suffering a major loss. Rodriguez tries to stay positive by denying every fact he comes into contact with. “Today I hear bilingual educators say that children lose a degree of ‘individuality’ by becoming assimilated into public society” (256). It is so true as to many fall in the trap of assimilation and cannot go back to originality. Just like Rodriguez himself, he exclaims his loss in the essay saying: “I would have been happier about my public success had I not sometimes recalled what it had been like earlier, when my family had conveyed its intimacy through a set of conveniently private sounds” (244). Words from an individual who claims to dislike bilingual education, yet still complains about his situation. Once again, if bilingual education was made available, Rodriguez would not have to recall past events cause those events would have still taken place. He talks about so many regrets, loses, and humiliation he endures which actually convince his readers that bilingual education should take place. There are time people should learn from their mistake, but it should not be in a place where mistakes are made to be

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