The Great 20-minute Video Debate

English Only vs. Bilingual Education

VIDEO VERSION (16-22 minutes)
2 students per side (student A & B)

Session 1
Reilly and I chose to take the bilingual education side. Reilly and I believe that bilingual
education is extremely important and valuable to bilingual speakers. We will start with a quick
statistic. In 2016, 22% of children in the United States, slightly more than 12 million total kids
spoke a language other than English at home. This rate has risen 2%, by 1.2 million students in
the last decade. The rate of children who speak more than one language is growing, and it is
crucial for educators and school districts to meet the needs of all children, not just those who
only speak English. This debate has been going on for years, with various individuals getting
involved to share what they believe. Throughout our debate, we will discuss both sides, bilingual
only and English only and allow for others to form their own opinions.

Bridget:
Sam and I chose to take the English Only education side. We believe that it is important that all
students are able to speak and understand English so the classroom is a more organized group
that all understands one another. While we agree that it is important to learn about each student’s
culture, it is also important that all students are able to interact and understand each other, and
this is only possible through an English Only education. To begin, I will talk about some of the
reasons why English Only education is important in greater detail.

EO student A opening statement (2-3 minutes)

Bridget:
English Only Education has a myriad of benefits. Being immersed in the english language,
students can engage more readily and start using the language in their own lives. It encourages
students with different languages to socialize and learn from each other. By being forced to
speak English, students are more willing to experiment with the language and may become more
comfortable and confident in their language use. Furthermore, the teacher also has more control
over the class and the students are focused on what is going on in the class. The classroom is
easier to manage in an english only setting. Teachers can control the conversation of the
classroom. English Only education also helps students develop strong listening skills &
encourages problem-solving growth in students. Finding ways to communicate with instructors
or other language learners requires students (especially in the earlier stages of learning a
language) to really think and come up with strategies that can be used again and again in future
discussions. Being able to communicate in any language requires speakers to be good listeners as
well. These skills are much easier to acquire in a classroom setting where everyone is speaking
the same language and can understand one another.

BE student A opening statement (2-3 minutes)

Reilly:
Bilingual education has many benefits. In a bilingual program, the non-native English speakers
all have the same language background, and the teacher speaks both languages as a means of
content instruction therefore students feel comfortable, accepted, and have a low affective filter
from the beginning. This also expands student vocabulary in both languages as opposed to just a
single language.People who are bilingual have higher lifetime earnings than their non-bilingual
peers. Moreover, studies show that bilingual education enhances the mind of students and makes
it easier for him or her to understand and relate to other cultures. Students who receive a
bilingual education are highly likely to be worldly and cultured. If more schools incorporated a
bilingual curriculum, more ELL and ESL students would be able to communicate with other
students who they would struggle to communicate with otherwise. In addition, English speaking
students could connect more with other students who enter the district from multiple cultures and
backgrounds.

Session 2
BE student B cross-examine EO A & B (4-5 minutes)
1. Kierston:
a. How much time is wasted on the communication barrier?
i. Sam:
1. While a language barrier is inevitable in an English Only
classroom, through using simple language, using visual methods of
communication, using repetition and being respectful to students,
the language barrier will not be a problem. Also, routines are very
important for ELL students since they help build a more
comfortable learning environment, especially for younger students.
It is important for routines to be appropriately prepared and well
crafted in order to avoid confusing or throwing off students.
2. Reilly:
a. How do you make sure your students feel validated and understand how they are
feeling?
i. Bridget:
1. I would constantly give positive feedback to my students,
regardless of whether they were English speaking or Bilingual. I
would also encourage every student to ask questions in the
classroom. Through creating a welcoming and encouraging
environment, students will feel like they are important to the class.
I can offer both advice and support to help them feel validated and
understood. For example, I can use an emotions chart in my
classroom where ELL students can demonstrate and visually show
how they are feeling.
 3. Kierston:
a. How do you manage a classroom when you are unable to effectively
communicate with your students?
i. Sam:
1. Through using other means of communication and establishing a
set routine, teachers can effectively manage a classroom with
students. Examples of using other means of communication
include using hand gestures and signaling. A communication
barrier does not limit the potential for learning or order in the
classroom. And like said previously, it is so important for
educators to establish a clear, set routine in order to avoid
confusion with students.

EO student B cross-examine BE A & B (4-5 minutes)

1. Sam:
a. How do you manage a classroom in a Bilingual Education setting?
i. Reilly:
1. In the classroom, teachers can create a setting where students’
cultures are celebrated. Teachers can explicitly teach social skills
and develop norms and agreements in the classroom with the
students. For example, ELL students will need direct instruction on
needing to raise a hand before speaking. As you said before,
routines are very important for ELL students. While using social
objectives and encouraging student participation, a teacher can
successfully manage a classroom for ELL students in a bilingual
education setting.
2. Bridget:
a. How do students learn English in a Bilingual Education setting?
i. Kierston:
1. The main purpose of the bilingual program is to teach
English as soon as possible when the students are ready.
Bilingual education’s goal is to maintain the native language
and culture of the children while they learn English. As we
have learned, Bilingual students should not just be thrown in
an English only classroom. Bilingual education contains the
gradual release of the students native language. For
example, students learn subjects such as art and gym in an
English only classroom. This allows for students to learn
Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills or BICS. BICS is
the social language of English. For example, if i asked you
 how you were feeling or what your name was, you would
probably know how to answer my question. The cognitive
academic language proficiency or CALP is the academic
language. The confusion in the two is what often leads to
teachers thinking that their bilingual student understands the
english language, when they in fact do not. The gradual
entering of the english language in mainstream classes has
been proven to be successful. Furthermore, English-
language acquisition is also emphasized in a bilingual
program with linguistic and cultural maintenance, but also
promoted is the value of linguistic and cultural diversity
3. Sam:
a. How will schools get money for Bilingual Education professionals?
i. Reilly:
1. While it is challenging to get money for Bilingual Education
professionals, Schools can apply for national and local grants that
fund bilingual education professionals. Schools can also fundraise
to create opportunities for bilingual education professionals.
Schools can offer training for bilingual education professionals as
well instead of out-sourcing other professionals. Furthemore, you
also do not have to be proficient in every language to be a bilingual
education teacher because it is impossible for one single person to
speak every language.

Closing Statements:

Reilly: In closing, while both sides presented strong arguments, we still believe Bilingual
Education benefits outweigh the costs. Bilingual education enhances the mind of students and
makes it easier for him or her to understand the content presented in the lesson. Students gain the
necessary skills of life in a bilingual education classroom

Evidence from recent research is beginning to show that if you are exposed to a bilingual
education and grow up with a high degree of literacy in both languages, you are more likely to
develop better cognitive skills. These can provide advantages for learning and progress in later
life. Students in a bilingual education program have increased cognitive development, better
academic achievement, improved memory, a resistance to dementia, increased economic
opportunities, a cross-cultural appreciation and overall Improvements in the executive function
of the brain. Bilingual students have a cognitive advantage over there non-billingual peers.Good
bilingual education programs recognize and build upon the knowledge and skills children bring
to school. They are designed to be linguistically, culturally, and developmentally appropriate for
the students
Bridget:
Unlike Reilly & kierston, Sam and I do still believe English Only education is more beneficial
than Bilingual education. This is mainly because teachers can control the conversation of the
classroom and effectively manage the english only classroom. There also have been many
studies that show inconclusive evidence on the benefits of Bilingual Education, with some
studies showing that a bilingual education makes it difficult for those students to assimilate to the
American culture they are now involved in, which is essential for them.

English Only Closing Statements:

Sam:
All in all, students should be fully immersed in the English language when learning it. It is
important for the students to be solely focused on that one language and not distracted by others.
In addition, when all the students in the classroom speak the same language, it is easier for the
teacher to successfully teach. It is also so important for teachers to maintain a comfortable
learning environment no matter what material is being taught, and it is easier to control aspects
of a learning environment when incorporating English only education. Also, learning to speak
English fluently from a young age can help children become more confident English speakers as
they grow older. It is important for younger children to have as much exposure to the English
language as they can get. That way, students will be well prepared to be immersed in an English
only classroom. Kierston and Reilly I really enjoyed debating with you and I really enjoyed
listening to your side and why you believe what you do.

Bilingual Education Closing Statements:

Kierston:
In conclusion, speaking more than one language is an asset in future opportunities in life and
‘/outside of school. Furthermore, in the classroom, for students who are bilingual, they have an
easier time relating to other people’s cultures in a multicultural setting. And, overall, being
bilingual increases one’s critical thinking skills and provides the tools necessary for one to
succeed in life. As we have learned in class so far, it is important for a bilingual student to be
immersed in their culture and traditions. Opting for an English only approach eliminates this
factor, and could have students feel as though their culture and beliefs do not matter in the
classroom. This allows for a classroom where bilingual students do not feel safe and secure, two
factors that are crucial for students to be able to learn. Moreover, we have learned that students
must feel safe and comforted in order to learn as much as they can in school. If students do not
feel safe, they will refrain from asking questions and speaking out. What better way to have a
student feel safe in the classroom than having their language and culture incorporated? Reilly
and I feel as though bilingual education classrooms are needed in order for these students to keep
their culture and traditions while feeling safe. As we mentioned before, the number of bilingual
students are not shrinking but they are in fact growing. How else would we compensate these
students besides offering them the environment that they deserve? Sam and Bridget I really
enjoyed debating with you and I really enjoyed listening to your side and why you believe what
you do.