Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: English Only! We recently finished reading and discussing The House on Mango Street in my 7th grade English class. Students had mixed reactions to the book, but they were really into discussing the issues in the book. Last Tuesday, I assigned my students to small groups to discuss Esperanza's (the main character in the book) experiences in her new school. Two of my Hispanic students in one of the groups started speaking Spanish to each other, but it was obvious that they were talking about Esperanza's experiences. So, I did not mind this. However, some of my other students started staring at these students and two of them said "English, please! You are in America." I told my students that it was okay for them to speak Spanish because they were on task. Then, some of my other students protested my position and said "if all international students speak their native languages, then how are we English-only speaking students going to understand anything?" How should I respond to this situation because it seems like I will have this issue again? Should I not allow any other language in the classroom? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) This is a difficult issue. I am guilty of asking my Spanish speaking students to speak English. This is mostly when they are mad at me and speaking Spanish which is being disrespectful. As far as group work I think they should be allowed to speak Spanish if their whole group can understand. I would ask the students who complain to put themselves in their shoes. I would also ask the Spanish group to consider how the students who do not understand feel. This way everyone considers all points of view and let them take i from there.