The two educators and their schools illustrate how Latinos, who once pushed for bilingual education as a civil right, are now deeply divided over the question of whether young students who speak little or no English should be taught for years in Spanish or be prodded to learn English quickly. It isn't revolutionary. It isn't magic. It's just good sense and good teaching. The teachers at Taft use English, backed by pictures and gestures, while teaching young students whose skills in English are limited.
Teachers sometimes use a few words in the students' native language.
The students are usually transferred to regular mainstream classes after a year. In bilingual education, students are taught in their native language and gradually introduced to English. They often remain in bilingual education four to seven years before all of their classes are presented in English. The kids are confident about the work. They are proud of their heritage.