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Jan 1, 1492
Bilingualism between Tainos and Caribes
There was bilingualism between Tainos and Caribes. -
Nov 19, 1493
Spanish colonization
Indian natives in the island have contact with Spanish language. That’s the first time of the bilingualism issue. -
Jan 1, 1498
Spanish was taught till 9th grade.
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United States invasion
All the citizen in Puerto Rico have to learn English as a language of communication with the new culture. -
English Only
was a special subject on Elementary school. On high school, all the classes were given in English. There emphasis on American culture.All the people have to learn English. -
Annual English text for teachers
English was increased during schools with the idea of turning it into the official language. The teachers do not master the second language. Teachers were sent to United States to study. There was an annual English text for teachers. -
Courses in English for teachers
Courses in English were developed for teachers. Teachers qualified to work on English received a bonus of $10.00 dollars. A law was approved to make annual text compulsory. American teachers taught at school once a week. -
Spanish for first grade
The use of Spanish was introduced for first grade on courses such as hygiene and reading. -
Spanish for littles and half of English for biggers
Spanish was used for grades 1-4th. English was used on half of the classes from fifth grade or more. -
Puerto Ricans in first World War
Puertorricans were going to war and it was obligatory to speak about “patriotism” at schools. The citizen received the American citizenship. Miller defended English while José de Diego Spanish. -
English vs. Spanish
Juan Huyke as a commissioner of Education and established English only in school. José de Diego defended the Spanish instruction as a native language in the island. -
English is not our first language
José Padín exposed that English was a foreign language, in academic aspects and talked about just one period in English. Padín recommended bilingual education but with evaluation of the necessities of Puerto Ricans. José Gallardo tried to start a bilingual program, but there were many public protests. -
Mariano Villaronga and Spanish Language like first language
Spanish language was official language of instruction in all public schools. Mariano Villaronga mandated the teaching in Spanish for all the levels among public schools. This is a political and linguistic policy that has prevailed till this moment. -
Immigrants in school
English to students who comes back from states -
Bilingual projects in the schools
Popular party (PPD) implement in Puerto Rico the bilingual projects in the school Padre Rufo and Papa Juan XXIII. -
PNP and bilingual program certification
Party PNP and bilingual certification. The teacher didn’t have a lot of accessibility to the bilingual certification but is was an initiative. -
Bilingual projects in school and debate
José Arsenio Torres brings new bilingual projects in different schools. English, Math, and Science have to be in English language. The political and cultural factors continue influencing the attitudes to the language. -
Governor Fortuño proposes to teach English instead of Spanish
The governor of Puerto Rico wants to make the Puerto Ricans students fluent in English. He has a plan to require all public schools to teach all courses in English instead of Spanish. Fortuño says that his plan is about economic necessity, not politics. He also says he wants all public school students to be bilingual within 10 years. A lot of educators are in opposition of the governor.
