Dual language teaching flawed

In his column Dec. 9, Ruben Navarrette attempts to make a case for dual language, English and Spanish in our schools.

Mr. Navarrette states that English-only laws are discriminatory and divisive.

Why is it that dual language always involves English and Hispanics? There are so many nationalities in this country and yet it's always the Hispanics that need to be catered to. If I were Hispanic, I would be insulted, thinking that all others -- Russians, Chinese, Iraqis, Afghans, Germans, Japanese -- can learn without the benefit of their language being taught as a second language and the Hispanics cannot.

Parents of some schools such as U-46 in Elgin are in panic because after the sixth grade, the dual language may not follow them into middle school. The question I would ask is "How long does it take to learn English?" If after the sixth grade a student still cannot speak English, either the program is a failure or the home habits need to change.

As an immigrant who came to this country and started elementary school in the second grade with no dual language, I can attest to the fact that more harm than good is done by teaching and speaking a second language. There is no motivation for learning English.

Silvio Pontarelli

Mount Prospect