Wanted: Heritage Language Movement

letter to the editor

We should all be thankful to Rey Rodriguez ["Bilingual Education Not Dead Yet" (11/28/2007)] for warning of us the potential tragedy in the making: a world-class, culturally diverse community like Los Angeles that has lost the beauty, cultural heritage, and value of its citizens' knowing more than one language. It's sad to think that so many Spanish speakers are likely to have grandchildren who are unable to communicate with them in their native tongue. Why do we wait until middle school to offer Spanish, Chinese, or other language instruction, when brain science and studies show how effortlessly elementary school children can learn English and another language at the same time? After all, Europeans for years have been taught in their school systems to be fluent in two—if not three—languages. We need this movement for heritage schools, dual immersion, and other options. I'm grateful we have a chance to put my son in an English/Korean dual immersion program in Glendale's public schools. But every child should have that opportunity. We'll be a better society because of it.

Robin Toma
Glendale, Calif.

Date Posted: 11/30/2007