Students who attend public school should always be given the option of taking a variety of language classes. Throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District, there are several dual-language public charter schools that are gaining recognition. For example, Cahuenga Elementary School teaches only Korean aside from English and El Sereno Middle School only teaches Spanish. Lashon Academy, the newest of these schools, teaches Modern Hebrew along with English. A dual-language charter school confuses the difference between public and private schools. Additionally, teaching a single language besides English attracts a select group of people, which is unacceptable for a public school. Students should be immersed in a diversity of cultures, opposed to the single one they would be exposed to in a dual-language school.
Because these dual-language schools are publicly funded, they should guarantee access to several language classes. Students who enroll in public school hope to discover their academic strengths over a broad spectrum of subjects. By offering only one language class in addition to English, students’ academic growth is limited. Private schooling would be more beneficial for students who wish to concentrate on one language, as they will be able to devote more time and attention to the targeted language.
“Different language classes give students the ability to explore their options,” said senior Michael Nemeh. “A dual-language public school forces students to be immersed in one culture, which is not how a public school should be.”
Publicly funded schools commonly attract a diverse student body. However, with a dual-language school, one race tends to dominate. Even though Lashon Academy has no religious component to its schooling, the availability of Hebrew as a language class attracts a predominantly Jewish population. An important aspect of public schooling is the diversity of cultures that gather within the same campus. Students are able to learn in an environment with several cultures, which, in return, prepares them for the real world. According to www.naeyc.org, approximately 40 percent of children in public schools come from culturally diverse backgrounds. This should be maintained in dual-language schools.
“It is better to have a variety of language classes in a public school,” said Spanish I and II teacher Elaine Castillo de Dijar. “Giving students options benefits them more. It allows them to excel in a language that interests them.”
The diversity in public schools is imperative, as it enables students to be more tolerant toward others and provides them with a broader perspective of knowledge and communication skills. Dual-language public schools should offer several language classes to provide a fair public school experience for all students.
