Two Approaches to Acculturation: Bilingual Education and ESL

• Published in: Journal of American Indian education Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 15 - 19
• Main Author: Bartelt, Guillermo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tempe, Ariz THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY 01-05-1979; Center for Indian Education, College of Education, Arizona State University
• Subjects: Acculturation; Bilingual education; Bilingual students; Communities; English as a second language; Language; Language minorities; Pedagogy; Pluralist school; Teachers
• ISSN: 0021-8731; 2379-3651

The objectives of two conflicting educational philosophies in the Southwest are critically reviewed: bilingual education & remedial instruction in English as a second language (ESL). While acculturation is the explicit goal of remedial ESL programs, advocates of bilingual education claim that native-lang maintenance & cultural pluralism are their desired objectives. However, on the basis of sociolinguistic & educational studies, it is concluded that most US bilingual programs seem to foster acculturation rather than biculturation, & that the only significant advantage of bilingual education over remedial ESL programs seems to be the positive self-image of minority students in bilingual programs. 6 References. Modified AA