Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h7SEIE729305; Thu, 28 Aug 2003 10:18:14 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2003 10:18:14 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <BB737C69.7460%lketzenberg@resolutionpictures.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Laurie Ketzenberg <lketzenberg@resolutionpictures.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9288] Re: Accept English Only donation? X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Status: O Content-Length: 3279 Lines: 67 Interesting predicament. On the one hand, it's tempting to take the money and run; on the other, it's a slippery slope to do so. It's unusual for English Only crusaders to put their money where their vociferous mouths are; only a tiny percentage of their budgets ever go toward eradicating the sinister problem of bi- or multilingualism. The vast majority of funds go to their PR campaigns. One suggestion would be for students to investigate the group (as an exercise). Financials should be public, as are mission statements, etc. See what percentage of their budget goes for ESL. There is no paucity of newspaper articles at relatively easy reading levels that go into an array of issues and cases associated with English Only. Some go into employees suing employers for their right to speak their native language on the job; others tell the exact opposite. And of course, English Only's (or First's) strong connection to right wing, anti-immigrant forces are well documented and easy to understand. That the group approached you with the unabashed intention to use their donation as a PR stint to push "their" political agenda reminds me of a slogan on a t-shirt complete w/caps and exclamation points I saw just last weekend in NJ: "Welcome to America. Now SPEAK ENGLISH!!!!!" As ESL professionals, we know that the bottom line is xenophobia. Perhaps, after undertaking a class research assignment about English Only, you and your students could hold your OWN press conference. Such long term projects that directly relate to students' lives can hold much meaning and stimulate all kinds of learning experiences. Assuming, of course we're not talking about forfeiting gazillions of dollars. . . Good luck, Laurie Ketzenberg P.S. I have stacks of articles on this stuff, some of which could be accessible to lower levels. > From: "Cathy Shank" <cshank@access.k12.wv.us> > Reply-To: nifl-esl@nifl.gov > Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2003 08:02:27 -0400 (EDT) > To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> > Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9287] Accept English Only donation? > > A teacher in my state was approached by an 'English Only' group who was > interested in donating money for educational materials to her program. > She decided to go ahead since there seemed to be no apparent strings > attached to the money--she could use the funds to purchase materials SHE > selects and she would not be bound to any particular curriculum. Later, > the group said they wanted to give her the check publicly at the same > time a state senator gave a press conference announcing a bill to make > English the official state language. She is unsure how to respond. > > She CAN make an acceptance speech which clarifies her organization's > goals, but she fears standing on the same platform with the politician > will make her appear to be associated with his position. She plans to > discuss it with her ESL class as a problem solving type issue. > > What are your thoughts on this one? Does anyone have any advice or > resources to offer? Has anyone seen any information on the 'English > Only' issue that is written at reading level that would be accessible to > intermediate level ESL students? > > Thanks for your thoughts and assistance. > Cathy Shank >
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