breif thougts on the 'English Only' essay

Before I started taking classes towards a education degree, I never really gave much thought to what language means to individuality, to identity. In English 225, the core of the class dealt with dialogues (dominant vs. minority) and how language hass been used as a form of opression both directly and indirectly. Again, with Donald Macedo's essay- this idea is made abundantly clear. I also appreciate how he goes a step further and explains how language can be used as a tool to fight oppression and the status quo. Language is empowering.

I would also like to point out two quotes that I found especially helpful. The first is "Within the living present there are imperceptible changes which make the status quo a moving reality...Thus a new policy based on the present as past and not the present as future is backward for it is premised not on evolving conditions but on conditions that are already dying away" - And I think that this goes hand in hand with when the author is explaining native languages as beyond empowerment - they provide students with "...the basis for defining and transforming, rather than merely serving, the wider social order."

I think the point is that not only does teaching students in their native language help 'them,' but it helps 'us' and society grow as well.