School clip art 162

Puerto Rico Language Policy

By millyomy

  • 1898-1900

    1898-1900
    Dr. John Eaton and Dr. Victor Clark established that Puerto Rican teachers should learn English to have better chances on being hired.

  • 1900-1902

    1900-1902
    On the elementary level classes where taught in Spanish and English was taken as a special course.

  • 1902-1904

    1902-1904
    The use of the English language on the public system increased with the idea to make it the official language.

  • 1905-1913

    1905-1913
    Spanish is taken out of the system. English is used as the main language to teach at all grades of the school system.

  • 1913

    1913
    Spanish was introduced in First grade for the courses of Hygiene, Health, and Reading.

  • 1915

    1915
    A bill was presented to make compulsory the use of the Spanish language as the medium of instruction.

  • 1916-1934

    1916-1934
    Spanish was established as the medium of instruction from First to 4th grade. English was taught for half of the classes from 5th grade to high school. The other classes where taught in Spanish.

  • 1921-1930

    1921-1930
    They established the use of English inside and outside of the classroom. Spanish printed material was prohibited.

  • 1930-1950

    1930-1950
    Dr. José Padín was one of the first to present the use if English as foreign language. He fought to implement the use of Spanish as the main language for instruction. English was taught as a second language until it ended up as a special course from First grade up.

  • 1936

    1936
    Commissioner José M. Gallardo tried to implement Bilingual Programs unsuccessfully.

  • 1942

    1942
    Spanish prevailed on elementary grades and English was taught as a special course.

  • 1948

    1948
    Spanish was used as the medium of instruction for elementary and middle school.

  • 1949-1950

    1949-1950
    Dr. Mariano Villarongo established the use of Spanish at all school levels and English was taken as a course. (The current school system)

  • 1970

    1970
    Funds were solicited to address the needs of the students that return to Puerto Rico from United States. This program was called the “Bilingual Program”

  • 1978

    1978
    US Congress authorized the Bilingual Programs in Puerto Rico to focus on teaching Spanish for the students that return to Puerto Rico from the United States.

  • 1984

    1984
    The Bilingual Education Program, already established, stops being a program and their projects were transferred to the English Department.

  • 1993

    1993
    Projects from Bilingual Education become autonomous once again.