Why Don't They Learn English: Separating Fact from Fallacy in the U.S. Language Debate

by Tse, Lucy

• ISBN13: 9780807740972
• ISBN10: 0807740977
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-09-01
• Publisher: Teachers College Pr

Summary

This compelling book examines the often cited but poorly supported claims that immigrants fail to learn English, and the mistaken belief that immigrant communities cling to their heritage languages. The author reveals that, on the contrary, English is being learned at a rapid pace while heritage languages are disappearing quickly from family use. She shows us how current assumptions have a pervasive influence on language policy in the United States. Ultimately, the author argues for an educational approach that effectively embraces immigrant communities as they tackle the obstacles to language learning in the United States. This unique volume offers a short, readable introduction to these issues suitable for nonspecialists as well as educators, researchers, and other professionals.

Author Biography

Lucy Tse is an associate professor of education at California State University, Los Angeles

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
``Why Don't They Learn English?'': Language Policy and Public Perception	1	(8)
Official English-Language Amendments	2	(3)
Education Sanctions	5	(4)
The State of English-Language Learning	9	(21)
Who Are U.S. Immigrants?	10	(4)
Are Immigrants and Their Children Learning English?	14	(7)
Why Do Some Students Learn English Faster Than Others?	21	(4)
Obstacles to Learning English	25	(5)
The State of Heritage Language Development	30	(14)
The Typical Life of an Immigrant Language	30	(2)
Causes of Language Loss	32	(8)
The Myth of Language Ghettos	40	(4)
Why Promote Heritage Languages?	44	(15)
Benefits of Hereitage Language Development	44	(7)
Consequences of Heritage Language Loss	51	(2)
Support for Foreign- Versus Heritage Language Programs	53	(6)
How Can Heritage Languages Be Promoted?	59	(11)
Language Exposure and Group Membership	60	(3)
Providing Language Exposure in Heritage Language Programs	63	(2)
Promoting Group Membership in Heritage Language Programs	65	(5)
Where Do We Go From Here?	70	(5)
What Is the Current Situation?	70	(2)
Where Do We Go From Here?	72	(3)
Notes	75	(18)
References	93	(12)
Index	105	(4)
About the Author	109