HIstory of Bilingualism in Puerto Rico

Spaniards colonization

Nov 19, 1493

Puerto Rico Spaniard's colonization . Indians natives in the island have contact with Spanish language (European). Thats the first time of the bilingualism issue.

United Stated invation "Hispanoamerican war".

Jul 18, 1898

All the citizen in Puerto Rico have to learn English as a language of communication with the new culture.

English Only

Aug 1, 1900

All the teachers in Puerto Rico have to learn English.

English as official language of instruction in schools

Aug 1, 1904

Annual test for teachers to be selected as a teacher in schools. The bilingual controversy was in the island because the teachers do not master the second language .

Pay rise for teachers who teach English only

Sep 3, 1913

All the teachers that teach English as a linguistic instruction gained $10.00 rise in their salary.

First World War

Aug 2, 1917

Linguistic controversy continues in the island. The citizen received the american citizenship. Paul G. Miller emphazises the English in schools.

1921-1930 English vs Spanish

Sep 10, 1930

Juan B. Huyke as a Commisioner of Education established English only in schools but Jose de Diego defended the Spanish instruction as the native language in the island.

English as a foreign language

Sep 24, 1936

English language as a foreign language in schools (Dr. Jose Padin). The classes in schools was in Spanish and just one period in English.

Mariano Villaronga ends bilingualism issue

Oct 24, 1949

Mariano Villaronga ends the issue of bilingualism in schools. Spanish language was the official language of instruction in all public schools.

Inmigrants in schools

Aug 9, 1970

Teaching English to students who comes back from states.

Bilingual Projects in Schools

Aug 24, 1976

Democratic Party in Puerto Rico created bilingual projects in two schools in Puerto Rico: Padre Juan Rulfo School and Papa Juan XXIII.

1993 to the present Bilingual Projects in Schools Debate

Oct 24, 1993

Honorable Jose Arsenio Torres brings new bilingual projects in different schools in the island. Math, English and Science have to be in English language. At the present Puerto Rico have differents projects to promotes English speakers in the island and the citizen going to be proficient. The political and cultural factors continue the language issue.