ERIC Number: EJ742598
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 16
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1523-5882
EISSN: N/A
The Latino Students' Attitudes, Perceptions, and Views on Bilingual Education
Lee, Steven K.
Bilingual Research Journal, v30 n1 p107-122 Spr 2006
In light of the continuing debate surrounding bilingual education, there has been a renewed interest to examine the perceptions and views on the subject from various constituents. The purpose of this study was to examine the group who is the target of and most affected by this controversy--English language learners. The study surveyed 280 Latino students, all of whom were enrolled in bilingual classes, including Spanish maintenance and sheltered classes, in seven urban middle schools in Southern California, in regard to their attitudes, perceptions, and views on bilingual education. The study found that an overwhelming majority (90%) of the students surveyed believed that bilingual education was helpful to their educational experience and 86% supported the offering of bilingual education programs in public schools. Interestingly, however, if given a choice, 53% of the students responded that they would prefer to be in non-bilingual classes. Nevertheless, almost three-quarters (71%) of the subjects reported that bilingual education supported their cognitive and emotional development, suggesting the psycho-affective benefits beyond language development for English language learners. (Contains 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Middle School Students, Student Attitudes, Emotional Development, Educational Experience, Bilingualism, Bilingual Education, English (Second Language), Cognitive Development, Hispanic American Students, Second Language Learning, Spanish Speaking, Questionnaires, Program Effectiveness, Student Surveys
National Association for Bilingual Education. 1030 15th Street NW, Suite 470, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-898-1829; Fax: 202-789-2866; E-mail: nabe@nabe.org; Web site: http://www.nabe.org/publications.html.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A