Puerto Rico Language Policy

  • First change

    First change
    This year occurred the first change in the Puerto Rican language policy even before the Treaty of Paris.
  • Learn English to be hire

    Learn English to be hire
    Dr. John Eaton, Former Commissioner of Education U.S.; states that Puerto Rico's teachers should learn English and that this preference would be ready to be hired.
  • Department of Public Education

    Department of Public Education
    The Department of Public Instruction is establish with an assigned Commissioner.
  • Emphasis in American culture

    Emphasis in American culture
    The policy was to be retained educative Spanish and the English would be acquired: Spanish in the elementary grades and English as a specialty. In high school all subjects were in English and Spanish is taught as a specialty.
  • English, official language

    English, official language
    Between 1902-1904 Increased the use of English in schools with the idea to convert it in official language schools in Puerto Rico.
  • English only

    English only
    Between 1905-1913 Spanish is deleted. English is used as medium of instruction in all grades of the school system.
  • Spanish returns

    Spanish returns
    The Spanish was introduced in first grade for some courses, such as health and hygiene and recommended reading was done in Spanish.
  • A bill

    A bill
    Was presented a bill to make compulsory Spanish as medium of instruction.
  • Both languages

    Both languages
    1916 - 1934 - Established that Spanish was the language of instruction in first through fourth grades and English were used in half of the subjects in the fifth grade and the other half in Spanish. The same policy was applied to grades 6-8 and in high school.
  • US Citizens

    US Citizens
    Continued political strife with political overtones and by 1917 the U.S. had decreed that the official language was English on the Spanish-speaking island. The Jones Act: Puerto Ricans are made United States Citizens. Between 1917-1921 there was a struggle where Paul G. Miller defended English and José de Diego defended Spanish.
  • Americanization

    Americanization
    1921 - 1930 - The lawyer Juan B. Huyke performed Americanization plan for the island. He stated tha English was to be use inside and outside the classroom, and establish that instructional material should be publish in English.
  • Spanish as the medium of instruction

    Spanish as the medium of instruction
    The Commissioner Dr. Jose Padin stated that the Spanish was primary language of instruction and English should be taught as a second language.
  • No English

    No English
    José Gallardo was appointed Commissioner of Education. The president of the United States complains that Puerto Ricans in 38 years have not learned to speak English.
  • Sixth grade

    Sixth grade
    Again prevail through sixth grade Spanish and English as a subject continued.
  • Teaching in English

    Teaching in English
    Teachers were required to instruct their pupils in English, regardless of whether the students or teachers themselves could speak it or not.
  • Ninth grade

    Ninth grade
    Spanish was tought up to ninth grade.
  • Spanish in all grades

    Spanish in all grades
    Spanish was taught in all school grades and English was taught as a second language.
  • Bilingual Education Act

    Bilingual Education Act
    The President Johnson signed the United States Bilingual Education Act or Tittle VII.
  • Universities structural

    Universities structural
    The Department of Education and the Universities structural begin bilingual programs.
  • Funds

    Funds
    US provided funding for establishing bilingual programs.
  • Bilingual certification

    Bilingual certification
    Carlos Romero Barcelo signed the bilingual certification but it was not implement.
  • Bilingual project for the universities

    Bilingual project for the universities
    The Department of Education in PR approved four project for the universities to develop bilingual projects.
  • Spanish only

    Spanish only
    Rafael Hernandez Colon declares Spanish as the main languages.
  • Dual Language

    Dual Language
    Dr. Pedro Rosello established and official act where English and Spanish were to be considered the official languages. The Dual Language was established.
  • "Escuela de idiomas"

    "Escuela de idiomas"
    THe Department of Education established the Project "Escuela de idiomas"
  • Bilingual Education

    Bilingual Education
    Implanted in Puerto Rico under the government of the Popular Democratic Party bilingual projects Padre Rufo School and Pope John XXIII.
  • Bilingual education again

    Bilingual education again
    The bilingual education program was established.