Aria - Richard Rodriguez

OVERVIEW:

When I first starting reading Richard’s story I did not agree with what he was saying about public schools teaching children Spanish. I had a set option that Spanish speaking people should learn the English language in public schools, hands down. But while I was reading I began to agree more and more with his idea. I did not realize the impact on speaking English would have on him and his family, and there clearly needs to be a division between the two.  What really made to realize the dramatic change was the impact it had on him and his family being able to communicate with one another.  And because English was the only language they were speaking, their conversations often got the parents confused, which lead to little to no conversations. I also tried to imagine myself being in Richard’s shoe, being in a classroom where everyone speaks Spanish, and they difficulties I would have to face with that. I believe I would be the same as Richard was, silent and at a huge disadvantage. I think that in areas where a lot of people speak Spanish, they should teach both Spanish and English in schools, therefore no one is left out and the get a view on both sides.

QUOTES:

1.      “That day, I moved very far from the disadvantaged child I had been only days earlier.”

Richard always saw himself having a disadvantage from the other children, because Spanish was his first language, therefore he could not speak and understand English that well. He was often silent and shy towards the other children because he was not confident with speaking to English speaking children. But, once he practiced more and more with English his confidence level went way up. He was then raising his hand to answer questions in class, and the teacher and children could understand what he was saying, which made him feel no longer at a disadvantage from everyone else.

2.     “No longer so close; no longer bound tight by the pleasing and troubling knowledge of our public.”

As a request from the school’s nuns was to have Richard’s parents help Richard with English, by practicing with him. They suggested speaking English around the house more, rather that Spanish. The entire family began to shut out the Spanish language and focus on English. But, because the family’s English was not strong, talking began to dead down. Within the family, there was many times where they could not understand each other, which ended the conversations with ‘never mind’. I found this to be sad in a way, because even though it is very necessary to know English in America, I believe a line needed to be drawn. A time for Spanish is needed for Spanish families for their communication with one another.

3.     “Today I hear bilingual educators say that children lose a degree of ‘individual’ by becoming assimilated into public society.”

After reading Richard’s story, I strongly believe with this quote. As I saw with Richard he lost a part of himself, as well his family, when he made English his main focus, and forgot about his native language Spanish. I believe it would be a good and successful method to teach young children, in areas where there are a lot of Spanish speaking people, both English and Spanish in public schoolings. Therefore, it would benefit everyone. English speaking children with learn another language which is become more and more useful in today’s society. And the Spanish speaking children can learn English, without feeling at a disadvantage and left out from the others.