Some people believe that by educating children in their home language, we allow them to grow up without having to learn English. Because of such erroneous beliefs, bilingual education is provided to only a fraction of the students who need it. In reality, bilingual education is the most effective way to teach English and other school subjects at the same time. They feel pressure to choose between their school and their family. As a result, the family is faced with a breakdown of parental authority and a loss of the children s respect for their parents.
Children become ashamed of how their parents speak and make negative judgments about themselves.
In addition, there is a connection between home language loss and educational achievement. Parents are the most important teachers that children will ever have. Family relationships, behaviors, rituals and traditions transmit culture to children. Retaining the home language while learning English and core subjects implies preservation of culture that is worthy of respect. Parents who speak little or no English feel welcome when the school values the family s culture and language.