Writers Taking Risks: Going Against the Grain (Essay Sample)

Writers Taking Risks
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Writers Taking Risks
Particia Parmon’s "Educating Immigrant Children: Bilingualism in America’s Schools" is an article that touches on the controversial issue of immigrant children and whether they should be taught in the country (Parmon, 2011). This is conveyed largely in the text regarding the America’s education system and whether children should be taught using their native languages or be mandated to learn, speak and write English for them to fit in the education system. During this time of debate, the article indicates that the majority of Americans were not ready to fund bilingual education programs. Additionally, Americans were also hostile towards immigrant children attending classrooms in America. Some individuals and institutions believed that immigrant children in America should be allowed to retain their native language and culture while learning English. The increase in the non-English speaking population in America results to increased number of non-English speaking children. A high number of immigrant population has resulted in increased conflicts about education in the United States. Children who cannot use English in their normal conversations are known as Limited English Proficient (LEP) and those learning English in the classroom are referred to as Engish Language Learners (ELL) (Parmon, 2011).
The main risky aspect of the text is the writer’s position on Bilingualism in America’s schools. Amid the emotional nature of the controversy, the writer took a stand and supported the idea that immigrant children in America should be allowed to retain their own culture and native language. The writer passionately defends bilingualism and states that the curriculum should cater for all immigrant children. Taking a stand regarding the topic that affects millions of children in America and also rebuking the opponents of the idea of teaching children in their native language makes this article risky for the writer. Additionally, presenting the consequences of the schools that would not respect bilingualism in schools puts the writer on a bad perspective, especially from the individuals opposing the use of two languages in schools. This is evident because from the article, the writer notes that some American parents withdrew children from schools that allowed the use of native languages by the immigrants.
Writers take different risks in writing, especially on ways on which they view things, the world and translate those views into exciting prose that remains in the target reader’s minds. The risks include addressing controversial topics such as Particia Parmon’s "Educating Immigrant Children: Bilingualism in America’s Schools," including diverse vocabulary, style and language and using other aspects of the genre and/or visual design. Every reader knows different writings that portray various risks taken by the writers. However, taking a risk in writing is not an easy task for the writers. This is because such risks are likely to affect the audience and social expectations of a given article. Taking a risk to publish such an article gives the writer the satisfaction of passing on his message with an aim of changing the social settings in a particular community or nation.
The debate on immigrant children and making English a mandatory subject in schools raises emotions from the opponents and the proposers of the motion. The opinions of the two parties have led to problems that hide several assumptions that should be evaluated before passing and implementing any rational policy regarding the issue (Parmon, 2011). This is because the use of language is considered a complicated experience that requires time to learn and use. Various assumptions about the children and the ability to learn English ignores the perpective that language is a habit acquired early in life and defies conscious analysis. Individuals supporting the use of English only in schools in America are not aware that it is important to understand the nature of the language used as compared to just adopting the skills since it is a requirement (Parmon, 2011). Additionally, it is important for the public to change their attitude towards immigrant language and bilingualism in public schools across America. According to the author of this article, it is important to consider the evidence that indicates the advantage of using bilingualism in schools for the immigrant children as compared to blindly following people’s opinions not based on facts. The vocal element of the public against the use of own native languages should be countered with facts about learning English as the second language in the respective schools.
I agree with the writer of this article, Particia Parmon’s "Educating Immigrant Children: Bilingualism in America’s Schools" that for the America’s education system to succeed, immigrant children should be allowed to learn English and continue using their native language. Native English speakers may have an advantage over immigrant children whenever they use English to commun...