"Why Don't They Learn English" Separating Fact From Fallacy In the U.S. Language Debate / Edition 1

by Lucy Tse, Celia Genishi, Dorothy S. Strickland, Donna E. Alvermann

Overview

This compelling book examines the often cited but poorly supported claims that immigrants fail to learn English, and the mistaken belief that immigrant communities cling to their heritage languages. The author reveals that, on the contrary, English is being learned at a rapid pace while heritage languages are disappearing quickly from family use. She shows us how current assumptions have a pervasive influence on language policy in the United States.

Ultimately, the author argues for an educational approach that effectively embraces immigrant communities as they tackle the obstacles to language learning in the United States. This unique volume offers a short, readable introduction to these issues suitable for nonspecialists as well as educators, researchers, and other professionals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807740965
Publisher:	Teachers College Press
Publication date:	09/21/2001
Series:	Language and Literacy Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	120
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Lucy Tse is an associate professor of education at California State University, Los Angeles. She is co-editor of the book Heritage Language Development and has published widely in the areas of second language acquisition, heritage language learning, and bilingualism and biliteracy.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	ix
Chapter 1	"Why Don't They Learn English?": Language Policy and Public Perception	1
	Official English-Language Amendments	2
	Education Sanctions	5
Chapter 2	The State of English-Language Learning	9
	Who Are U.S. Immigrants?	10
	Are Immigrants and Their Children Learning English?	14
	Why Do Some Students Learn English Faster Than Others?	21
	Obstacles to Learning English	25
Chapter 3	The State of Heritage Language Development	30
	The Typical Life of an Immigrant Language	30
	Causes of Language Loss	32
	The Myth of Language Ghettos	40
Chapter 4	Why Promote Heritage Languages?	44
	Benefits of Heritage Language Development	44
	Consequences of Heritage Language Loss	51
	Support for Foreign- Versus Heritage Language Programs	53
Chapter 5	How Can Heritage Languages Be Promoted?	59
	Language Exposure and Group Membership	60
	Providing Language Exposure in Heritage Language Programs	63
	Promoting Group Membership in Heritage Language Programs	65
Chapter 6	Where Do We Go From Here?	70
	What Is the Current Situation?	70
	Where Do We Go From Here?	72
	Notes	75
	References	93
	Index	105
	About the Author	109

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"In clear and elegant prose, Lucy Tse debunks prevalent myths about English-language learning among immigrant children."
—Jim Cummins, University of Toronto

"Lucy Tse is among the few to explain the causes and consequences of language loss in human terms. Her perceptive, readable, and thoroughly documented study should be on the bookshelf of every educator of immigrant students."
—James Crawford, author of At War with Diversity: U.S. Language Policy in an Age of Anxiety