Should English be the 'Official' Language of the U.S.?

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English Language Learners want to learn English but are too often hampered in their efforts to achieve full proficiency.  English-only and Official English laws do nothing constructive to advance the important goal of English proficiency.

For ELL students in grades K-12, two-thirds of whom are native-born U.S. citizens, poor instruction denies them the tools to gain the language skills necessary to participate fully in the American economy and society.  There is ample evidence of the challenges these students face: Since 1975, at least 24 successful education discrimination cases have been brought on behalf of ELL students in 15 states.

With limited opportunities to learn English, ELL students face particularly poor outcomes.  The progress of these students is marked by failing graduation tests and high school drop out rates that are higher than classmates who are fluent in English.  It is critical that we improve instruction for these students to help them learn English, not penalize them for the poor quality of instruction that denies them the opportunity to learn the language well.

Adults who seek ESL classes also face an acute shortage of high-quality English-acquisition programs, which are too few and too often oversubscribed.  A June 2006 study by Dr. James Tucker for the NALEO Educational Fund surveyed the demand for and availability of adult ESL programs nationwide, and found tremendous unmet need.

Providing real opportunities to learn English is the most efficient and effective means of fostering English proficiency.  By contrast, English-only and Official English proposals do nothing to eradicate the barriers described or to help ELLs achieve fluency.  Instead, they compromise the health, safety, and well-being of not only ELLs, but of the communities in which they live.  English-only laws undermine the federal government’s ability to communicate with the public in situations where communication is urgently needed, thereby leaving all U.S. residents more vulnerable to danger. 

There are significant unmet needs in educating adults and children.  Legislators should focus their time and energy on English literacy education instead of English-only political posturing.