Mandate English by third grade

Being a class of 2010 graduate from Larkin High School, I'm used to hearing the foreign languages in school. But where does it end? I truly believe that teaching or encouraging children starting in preschool to continue their education in their native language is wrong. After all, this is the United States!

The general language that we originally agreed on is English. I understand that at home Spanish or Chinese or whatever may be spoken; but they should be taught in English, as if the immigration reform isn't a big enough topic. Let's not keep accommodating them; let's make them learn to do things correctly.

After all, my great, great grandparents learned English after they came to the United States from Germany. So should all the other immigrants, legal or not. The state should be concerned in other fields of education reform, such as proper funding for extracurricular activities or grants to improve the appearance of schools.

If they truly want to reform bilingual education, then mandate it whereby no later than the third grade, all students be required to speak, write and read English. After all, a child's brain is like a sponge, right?

Andy Dishroon

Elgin