1 Bilingualism in education and politics Hayakawa believes that childen who come from homes where English is a second

language, are as successful as those who do not. He also believes that voting for legislation to force the use of bilingualism in schools could encourge Spanish-speaking immigrants to support a separatist movement. He gives the success of Vietnamese and Koren childern as a example of how well immigrant childern can adapt to the language. He feels that bilinguilism is not supported by the immigrants, but is being used by bilingual teachers and politicians to protect their jobs. Hayakawa says that they must learn English, that is their only way of assimilating into the culture. (Hayakawa, 1983) During the 1987 legislative session, a bill to make English "the official language" of Washington State, was being considered by several Washington state legislators. They were concerned that immigrants are not assimilating to the American way of living. Lois Hayasaka, executive director of the State Commission on Asian American Affairs, warns that passage of such a bill would, impact the future of bilingual services and programs. An organization called "English First," was soliciting funds to support ammending the Constitution to make English our official language.(Goon, 1986) In Federal District Court in Phoenix, an amendment to the Arizona constitution was struck down. It wanted to make English the language "of all government functions and actions. The Arizona has experienced heavy waves of immigration. It is believed that immersion into the English the quickest way to learn any language. (The Balkans, U.S.A., 1990) Persida Himmele is a coordinator of ELL for School District of Lancaster. She has many native-Spanish-speaking students who struggle to learn English. She has teachers who speak English and Spanish, and provide lessons in both languages in their classes. Persida wants to allow bilingual teachers to instruct students in both languages, because it is the most effective way to improve the language skills of students. (Wallace, 2008)

References

Goon, S. (1986, September 17). Should English become our 'official language'? International Examiner (1976-1987),p. 3. Retrieved July 1, 2008, from Ethnic NewsWatch: A History (ENWH) database. (Document ID: 496554311). Hayakawa, D. (1983, October 14) "Bilingualism promotes separatism". . Asian Week (1983-1989),p. 5. Retrieved on July 1, 2008, from Ethnic NewsWatch: A History (ENWH) database. (Document ID: 496407341). The Balkans, U.S.A. (1990, March 5), (judge strikes down Arizona law making English the official language)." National Review. v42. n4, p19(1). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Apollo Library. Retrieved on 1 July 2008 from, <http://find.galegroup.com/ovrc/infomark.do?&contentSet=IACDocuments&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=OVRC&docId=A8552857&so urce=gale&srcprod=OVRC&userGroupName=apollo&version=1.0 Wallace, B (2008, May 29). To Instruct In English, Spanish. Intelligencer Journal,B.1. Retrieved July 3, 2008, from ProQuest Central database. (Document ID: 1486547211).