Bilingual Education and Community - Essay Example

Name Course Tutor Institution Bilingual community Bilingualism is an individual possession existence. It is a characteristic of community or a group of people e.g. Australians and Arabians. There is a difference between society bilingualism and individual possession of bilingualism. Co-existing languages is as a result of rapid change, rapid advancing of others cost, living in harmony or conflict. Where there is existence of minority languages it is understandable that language will shift. English is the first and major language spoken Australia. English is communicated within a variety range of people compared to Arabic in Australia. Children who become bilingual stand a better chance of communicating in a wide neighborhood and at community school. They are also able to communicate with friends without any difficulties. While travelling in neighborhood countries or within the county, Australians will have the advantage that English will provide new relationships bridges. Bilingual education in transitional, linguistic goal is to substitute the language with English or eradicate their mother tongue. In the program of maintenance linguistic English is used to add value to Arabic language. Adding of a language to the one already known by a child is done by the enrichment programs as well as fostering the child’s academic growth in both languages. This definition differ‘s with other traditional programs of bilingual education, where there goal is to be in a position to educate in all aspects of English environments. (Ofelia García) The education of the language occurs where minority children use their native, home, ethnic or hereditary language in their schools as a means instruction with a goal of bilingualism. Promotion of native languages by the Arabs is obtained in the heritage language education as well as community language. Education is available in preschools to a higher level education centres and also secondary education to promote the language. Transfer of classroom teachings is relatively easy between languages which are developed to cope with the teaching concept and curriculum materials. Language heritage justification programs given that majority language is easily gained while minority is easily lost. Children of Arab speakers in Australia tend to be surrounded by English language which is majority. Town advertisements, television programs, videos, shops and signs induce or provide bilingual proficiency. Thus, Australian bilingualism is achieved by initial concentration of the minority language (the Arabic language) at school. Consideration is given to ensure full occurrence of bilingualism to the Australian language that is seen as the majority. At the end of the program, Arabic student who inherited the language should be able to compete with the Australians. (Baker) For a bout over 100 languages ommunication communities are used in Australia. Tendency among the minority languages, shift to English speaking from one generation to another. There was no official provision for Arabic language as minority language maintenance. Currently, there is a wide spread of provision of education at primary and secondary levels and there has been a successful run of bilingual programs. However, the provision level varies from one region to another. Bilingual programs are found in the Arabic settlement areas together with other immigrants. Since 18th century, the colonization of Australia by Europeans to the indigenous languages has declined and many have become extinct. Bilingual education in native languages for aboriginal communities has increased greatly. (Colin Baker) Reasons for language shift Language decline or language shifts do not just happen not because one is weaker than the other. The language speakers are fundamentally linked with their culture, religion, economic situation, and status society and community livelihood. Arabs shift to the Australian language as a result of pressure within the community at large. There may be two ways that may occur, one, Australians of high status may wish the Arabs community speakers to be like them and two, Arabs language community who are said to be of low status may wish to move to Australian language which is at a higher level. The Australian language is enforced as the language of politics, education, administration, law and official life. The spread of compulsory education for Australian language has been the major route of the Arabs shift to the language. The dominant language (Australian) may be desired by the Arab speakers as a condition to access privilege and power, standing and a maker of the status. The Arabs value speaking of the language as it is the only language used in fashionable culture and mostly used in mass and media communication. (Colin Baker) Language is one of barriers between two different national groups. Arabs community living in Australia not being able to understand their language becomes a barrier for them to communicate, as they only end up creating friendly mutual respect relationships. Bilinguals (Australians) in the community, in homes and in the society have to lower such barriers. Australians can act as connections within the extended and nuclear families across both societies and within the communities. Language sensitivity Moving between two languages creates communication sensitivity. Australians being the bilinguals are constantly monitoring the language which they are supposed to use in different circumstances, they are likely to concentrate more to those they can communicate. This makes the Arabs who live with them feel that they do not belong there. Bilinguals (Australia community) may be more definite with listeners communication needs. When the community meets the Arabs who do not speak their language well, they listen patiently to them unlike monolinguals. (Ytsma ,Jehannes ) Advantages of bilingualism It is advantageous for Arabic children to become bilingual, since they will be able communicate to the Australians in their parents preferred language. This enables finer and good relationships within the two community’s parents. Alternatively, they will be able to communicate to the other community on their preferred language and still be in a position to communicate to their parents on their own language without having any difficulties. Parents prefer talking to a child in their first language because they believe that they are able to communicate well naturally, expressively and with intimacy in their first language. Each language have their different systems of folk saying, behaviour, histories, stories, different of literature understanding, traditions, marriage and death, music and ways of interpreting and understanding the world. The two communities are able to exchange with each other the way of eating, thinking , drinking just to name but a few. The Arabic and Australian communities are able to learn different cultural experience. As compared to the Arabic community, the Australian community (bilinguals) has a chance on improved penetrating cultures expressed in both Arabic and the Australian languages. An Arabs becoming bilingual grants them an economic advantage. The possibility of being able to communicate in two languages may have a wider choice and opportunity to secure a job. As the international relations come closer and trade, there is a fall in economic trade barriers, the partners and unions of the nations are widely spread, jobs increase and there is a need to employ a monolingual or a bilingual. Apart from cultural, social, personal and economic relationships as well as communication advantages, bilinguals have quick thinking as an added advantage. The advantage portrays faster progress to creative thinking. Becoming a bilingual adds an advantage for they have two words for each idea and an object. Corresponding words in Arabic and English have different connotations, for example: having two words in Arabic and English will extend the range of image, meaning and association. When there is attachment of two different associations of words, the bilinguals are in a better position of creativity and flexibility unlike the monolinguals. Bilinguals have more awareness of language, flexibility, elaboration in thinking and fluency in talking compared to monolingual. Disadvantages of bilingualism Problems such as delayed speech in children, low self-esteem may come as a result of bilingualism. Social unrest is unfairly attributions among the two community languages that are present (Arabs and Australian communities). There may be wrong education attributions to bilingualism. This is in the case where an Arabic child fails to succeed in school, the teacher or the parent of the Arabic child blames the child’s motivation. In some cases, it might be due to the standards of teaching, intelligence, the school itself or personality. However, bilingualism does not cause failure in education which leads to wrong attributions to it. Another disadvantage or a challenge is for Arabs parents who need to have much effort to raise a child as a bilingual speaker. (Colin Baker) Some children cope with blingual education while others do not. They become profficient in languge skills in four way ,these include:- learning, speaking, writing and reading which enhances creative thinkint within the community they belong to. The arabic students may understand a little of what the Australians students or the teacher are talking about while attending lessons. With the little or no knowledge of bilingual, the Arabic student will learn a little or may not learn anything at all. At the end of it all, they are more likely to learn that their language is not valued at all neither their ethnic group or their parents. Arabs feel that their home culture and language appear to be disparaged,rejected, discouraged and rebuffed. (Mejía, Anne-Marie De ) The Arabic students face a great challenge when it comes to learning a new language, because learning requires high concentration. Often, it is tiring trying to interpret what other students and the teacher are saying in a strange language to them. At first they have difficulties in understanding live alone the subject’s content but also the words. The child tries to take information from areas of curriculum with his or her special language (Arabic) as he or she learns the language (English) at the same time. For those who learn quickly succeed in bilingual education while others fail to achieve their potential goals. Low self- esteem is another effect of bilingual education as a child lacks confidence while learning. Due to lack of confidence, a child may learn to opt out academically, physically and may develop emotional problem in school. School alienation and unfriendliness also occurs. (Colin Baker) The burden on Arabic students who settle in Australia and the need to learn the Australian language to be able to survive is something different from that of other students who are enrolled in an enrichment program out of scholarly curiosity. Not only do the students assessments and expectations success rates vary according to the language social importance but also vitality of the Australian languages may be at stake. Majority language (Australian) may be enforce through education but it can also be adopted by the minority community (Arabs) speakers in a social situations since it is popular. The second language is to be identified as a medium of instructions. Curriculum immersion is to be based on the set of the same as the first local curriculum language. School will be required to support the first language development and additive of bilingualism. Students will be largely exposed to the second language in classrooms. The teaching skills are to be based on by a bilingual teacher as well as the classroom culture based on the first language of the community. However, students should enter with similar levels of proficiency of the second language. Whereas the variable features, there is ratio given to the first and second language teaching content based at different level grades. There has to be a continuity of the students (Arabs) from elementary school to secondary and higher education. Students should be supported fully in the process of moving from Arabic language to the bilingual language as well as the teachers obtaining higher training skills so as to support the bridging course fully. Teachers and students should be committed to the politicians and administrative immersions. Finally, put in consideration the grade at which the introduction of immersion begins. (A. S. Colin Baker) Bilingual education comprises of majority languages in Australian schools. The aim of these schools includes multilingualism or bilingualism cultural pluralism and literacy. In society schools ,much of the Australians are already bilingual or there are significant number of natives or Arabs wanting to become bilingual by learning English. Generally, the Australian schools have majority number of language children, which varies homogeneity or heterogeneity language of classes. Conclusion In spite of the considerable political, economic and social pressure towards shifting of language, people are determined to keep different languages alive. Language shifts are considered for survival. Exact demarcation between minority language and majority language is inaccurate and rough. Though, bilingualism creates awareness of different cultural practises from different people. Shifting of language paves way for many advantages, as one will be able to cope and fit in the society. On the other hand, those who shift the language after some time they end up forgetting their cultural norms. Due to some difficulties faced while learning another language, learners develop low self-esteem which reduces their confidence. However, Australians try their level best to help them so as to create a good relationship among the two communities, i.e., the Arabic and English community speakers. References Baker, Colin. Foundations of bilingual education and bilingualism. United States : Multilingual Matters,, 2006. Colin Baker, Anne Sienkewicz. The care and education of young bilinguals: an introduction for professionals United Kingdom : Multilingual Matters, 2000. Colin Baker, Sylvia Prys Jones. Encyclopedia of bilingualism and bilingual education, Volume 1997. United Kingdom: Multilingual Matters, 1998. Mejía, Anne-Marie De. Bilingual education in South America. Canada: Multilingual Matters, 2005. Ofelia García, Colin Baker. Bilingual education: an introductory reader. United States : Multilingual Matters, 2007. Ytsma, Jehannes. Trilingualism in family, school, and community. Canada: Multilingual Matters, 2004. Read More

Tendency among the minority languages, shift to English speaking from one generation to another. There was no official provision for Arabic language as minority language maintenance. Currently, there is a wide spread of provision of education at primary and secondary levels and there has been a successful run of bilingual programs. However, the provision level varies from one region to another. Bilingual programs are found in the Arabic settlement areas together with other immigrants. Since 18th century, the colonization of Australia by Europeans to the indigenous languages has declined and many have become extinct.

Bilingual education in native languages for aboriginal communities has increased greatly. (Colin Baker) Reasons for language shift Language decline or language shifts do not just happen not because one is weaker than the other. The language speakers are fundamentally linked with their culture, religion, economic situation, and status society and community livelihood. Arabs shift to the Australian language as a result of pressure within the community at large. There may be two ways that may occur, one, Australians of high status may wish the Arabs community speakers to be like them and two, Arabs language community who are said to be of low status may wish to move to Australian language which is at a higher level.

The Australian language is enforced as the language of politics, education, administration, law and official life. The spread of compulsory education for Australian language has been the major route of the Arabs shift to the language. The dominant language (Australian) may be desired by the Arab speakers as a condition to access privilege and power, standing and a maker of the status. The Arabs value speaking of the language as it is the only language used in fashionable culture and mostly used in mass and media communication.

(Colin Baker) Language is one of barriers between two different national groups. Arabs community living in Australia not being able to understand their language becomes a barrier for them to communicate, as they only end up creating friendly mutual respect relationships. Bilinguals (Australians) in the community, in homes and in the society have to lower such barriers. Australians can act as connections within the extended and nuclear families across both societies and within the communities.

Language sensitivity Moving between two languages creates communication sensitivity. Australians being the bilinguals are constantly monitoring the language which they are supposed to use in different circumstances, they are likely to concentrate more to those they can communicate. This makes the Arabs who live with them feel that they do not belong there. Bilinguals (Australia community) may be more definite with listeners communication needs. When the community meets the Arabs who do not speak their language well, they listen patiently to them unlike monolinguals.

(Ytsma ,Jehannes ) Advantages of bilingualism It is advantageous for Arabic children to become bilingual, since they will be able communicate to the Australians in their parents preferred language. This enables finer and good relationships within the two community’s parents. Alternatively, they will be able to communicate to the other community on their preferred language and still be in a position to communicate to their parents on their own language without having any difficulties. Parents prefer talking to a child in their first language because they believe that they are able to communicate well naturally, expressively and with intimacy in their first language.

Each language have their different systems of folk saying, behaviour, histories, stories, different of literature understanding, traditions, marriage and death, music and ways of interpreting and understanding the world. The two communities are able to exchange with each other the way of eating, thinking , drinking just to name but a few. The Arabic and Australian communities are able to learn different cultural experience.

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