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Jan 1, 1490
Tainos and Caribes
Tainos and Caribes were from different areas of P.R. and spoke different languages. -
Nov 19, 1493
The Spanish Colonizers in Puerto Rico
The Spaniards and our first habitants communicated through interperters. -
Northamerican Invasion in Puerto Rico
English was imposed in the Puerto Rican school system. -
Dr. John Euton and Dr. Victor Clark - Teachers learn English
Ruling established that all teacher must learn English. -
Spanish as the main language/ English as the second language
Elementary Schools - all Spanish subjects and English assigned as a special subject.
High School - All English subjects and Spanish assigned as a special subject. -
Increases English usage in public schools
During this period 540 teachers were sent to the Universities of Cornell and Harvard to learn English. -
English as a language medium
Spanish surpressed and English is used as a medium for teaching in all grades. -
World War I and US Citizenship Granted
US Citizenship was granted.
The linguistic contreversy continues to be tied in with politics. -
Juan B. Huyke Comisioner of Instruction
Mandated only English be spoken in and out of the classrooms. -
Jose M. Gallardo - Bilingual Education attempt
The comisioner tries to implement a bilingual program. Public protest did not allow it. -
Spanish Prevails
English is assigned in public schools as the second language and Spanish prevails till six grade. -
Spanish was used as the main Language
Spanish was used as the main language till the 9th grade. -
Comisioner of Instruction - Dr. Mariano Villaronga - Vernacular language
The comisioner puts a stop to the debate of bilingual education declaring that all teachings be done in the vernacular language. This with held to the present. -
Dr. Jose Padin Comisioner of instruction - English Foreign Language
The comisioner declares English as a second language, considering it as foreign. -
Bilingual Education Funds
The Department of Education requested funds for students that traveled from PR to the US in regards to the bilingual program. -
Bilingual Education Proyect
US Congress authorizes the program of Bilingual Education in PR. -
Student Fluctuation Increases
Studies indicate that 84,834 traveled in and out of public schools, and from this amount 59,810 had special needs for language acquisition. -
Bilingual Education Today
Till this day there still exist contreversies regarding bilingual education. Just recently there has been a shift in schools to implement and promote English.
