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!) English only is a sensitive issue. I see both sides; however, I feel the discussion should take place in a language everyone in the group can understand unless there is someone interpreting the conversation. A student with very limited English language may need a person to speak in their native language to better understand and contribute to the task. If a teacher knows the language, they are able to monitor the conversation. If they do not know the language then there may be a question about the content of the discussion. Even ESOL teachers may not know the native language of a student they are assisting. All state tests are in English; students are expected to show proficiency in English. It is great for students to know how to speak other languages; I often applaud them for successfully being able to communicate in two or more languages. When students present their task to the class, this could be a wonderful opportunity to share the information in both languages. Essentially, the teacher has to know her students and do what is best for the student and the class as a whole.