History of Multilingual Competency in the United States

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  • At least 20 different languages were spoken in 1664 on Manhattan Island.

    At least 20 different languages were spoken in 1664 on Manhattan Island.

    Additionally, bilingualism was common and schools were established to preserve the linguistic heritage of new arrivals.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.116)
    (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_New_York_City(prehistory%E2%80%931664))
  • If your native tongue was German you were in luck in 1694, as instruction was either partially or entirely in German.

    If your native tongue was German you were in luck in 1694, as instruction was either partially or entirely in German.

    Sprichst du deutsch?
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.116)
    (http://www.philadelphia-reflections.com/topic/15.htm)
  • In the 1800’s Mexicans and Indians were excluded from Whites-only schools.

    In the 1800’s Mexicans and Indians were excluded from Whites-only schools.

    European Americans have moved into Western U.S.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.117)
    (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid)
  • U.S. government signs a treaty with Cherokee tribes recognizing the language rights of the Cherokee tribes. Leading to a twenty-one-school educational system achieving a 90 percent literacy rate in Cherokee.

    U.S. government signs a treaty with Cherokee tribes recognizing the language rights of the Cherokee tribes. Leading to a twenty-one-school educational system achieving a 90 percent literacy rate in Cherokee.

    However, in 1864 government forces Native-American children to attend off-reservation schools, making schools English-only and Native Americans are punished for using their native language.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.117)
    (http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/vol2/treaties/che0288.htm)
  • Almost 10 years later, Ohio adopts bilingual education. Schools are allowed to operate in German and English with parental request.

    Almost 10 years later, Ohio adopts bilingual education. Schools are allowed to operate in German and English with parental request.

    However 50 years later, in 1888, the first antibilingual education legislation is passed while Wisconsin and Illinois attempt to institute English-only schooling.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.117)
    (http://sitemaker.umich.edu/370blinged/legislation)
  • Mexican territory, what is now California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Nevada, are promised the right to use Spanish in schools, courts of law, employment, and everyday life.

    Mexican territory, what is now California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Nevada, are promised the right to use Spanish in schools, courts of law, employment, and everyday life.

    However, in 1898 the U.S. wins the Spanish–American War. This ultimately affected public and private schools, forcing them to use English as the language of instruction until the 1950s.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.117)
    (https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolu%C3%A7%C3%A3o_territorial_dos_Estados_Unidos)
  • Language Use and Policy Are Contested in the United States.

    Language Use and Policy Are Contested in the United States.

    During this time, congress passes an English requirement for naturalized citizenship. This is the first national English-language requirement.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.121)
    (http://www.ancestry.com/cs/Satellite?c=Learning_C&childpagename=USLearningCenter%2FLearning_C%2FPageDefault&pagename=LearningWrapper&cid=1265125549440)
  • The governor of Iowa actually banned the use of any foreign language in public while Ohio passed legislation to remove all uses of German from the state’s elementary schools.

    The governor of Iowa actually banned the use of any foreign language in public while Ohio passed legislation to remove all uses of German from the state’s elementary schools.

    German speakers were a major target, mobs raided schools, and burned German textbooks. Afterward, fifteen states follow the lead and legislate English as the basic language of instruction.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.121)
    (https://mikemcclaughry.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/scientology-roots-chapter-twenty-two-new-world-order-and-nazi-germany/)
  • With 150,000 speakers, the most-spoken Native-American language is Navajo and in 1990 the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-477.

    With 150,000 speakers, the most-spoken Native-American language is Navajo and in 1990 the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-477.

    This law which allows Native Americans to express themselves through the use of Native-American languages in any public proceeding, including publicly supported education programs.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.119)
    (http://www.amazon.com/One-House-Voice-Heart-Education/dp/0890132127)
  • Children who spoke a language other than English in the home, risked being retained at least one grade.

    Children who spoke a language other than English in the home, risked being retained at least one grade.

    Of the 13.7, one student in ten (10 percent) was retained.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.294)
    (https://www.pinterest.com/andiramseur/teach-ell/)
  • Proposition 227 in California provided parents with waiver possibilities if their children met criteria in which children may be transferred to classes where they are taught English and other subjects through bilingual education techniques.

    Proposition 227 in California provided parents with waiver possibilities if their children met criteria in which children may be transferred to classes where they are taught English and other subjects through bilingual education techniques.

    Expecting students to learn English alongside academic subjects in a single year can be somewhat unrealistic.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.122)
    (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_227_(1998))
  • The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) required that all students be “proficient” in reading and mathematics by the 2013–2014 school year. This included English learners.

    The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) required that all students be “proficient” in reading and mathematics by the 2013–2014 school year. This included English learners.

    All public schools tested students in grades 3 – 8 annually using state achievement tests.
    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.88)
    (https://educationdegeneration.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/page/2/)
  • Present day educators aim to detect and reduce racism, however the institution itself—the school—promotes racism through its policies and practices. This may be unintentional.

    Present day educators aim to detect and reduce racism, however the institution itself—the school—promotes racism through its policies and practices. This may be unintentional.

    For example, the underreferral of minority students to programs for gifted students and failing to hire minority teachers in classrooms where children are predominantly of minority background.

    (Diaz-Rico, 2012, p.313)
    (http://www.wpr.org/shows/wanted-more-men-and-minority-teachers)