Washington Academy of Languages

Photo Credit: Debbie Chan

Recently, I was going to go to Bainbridge Island with a small group of WAL students as a Saturday activity.  But, due to some unforeseen reasons, my expectations were wrong.  The activity did not draw as many students as I thought it would, and the lone student who wanted to come, cancelled at the last moment.

So there I was…. at our usual WAL meeting spot at a Starbucks store in Pioneer Square, but with no students and no where to go!  What was I to do? Just go home, or go shopping in downtown Seattle to enjoy my free afternoon?  Nope, I thought. I decided that I STILL wanted to go to Bainbridge Island  – even if I went alone.

(more…)

ARIZONA

Originally uploaded by MikeJonesPhoto

In my previous blog I discussed the legal background of the case before the United States Supreme Court. Nogales, Arizona borders Mexico. Its school district is mostly Latino students who speak Spanish at home, with neighbors, and in the playground at school. They attempt speaking English in class only when class is in session. The plaintiffs argue that the state and district are in violation of the federal law specifying that students must understand the language of instruction or they are not receiving an equal education with native speakers. The Defense is arguing they have improved and are doing much more than they did a few years ago to help the Spanish speakers. One complaint that the plaintiffs make is that the district has not supplied any trained teachers with a clear curriculum to address the needs of their non-English speaking population.

(more…)