Colleagues,
According to "Bi-literacy program recognizes students with multilingual proficiency," a recent article in the Providence (Rhode Island) Journal newspaper, "Twenty-six states recognize the value of multiple languages with a special designation on (high school) diplomas." Should adult English language programs offer students the opportunity not only to demonstrate their proficiency in English, but also provide a way to demonstrate proficiency in a first language? Would this enable them to improve their ability to get jobs, to pursue a career path in which being bilingual had advantages? Do any adult basic skills/ELA programs already formally recognize bilingual or multilingual proficiency?
What are your thoughts about a bilingual or multilingual credential for adult basic skills education?
David J. Rosen
djrosen123@gmail.com
Comments
David, thanks for posting the article. (Make sure your ad blocker is active.)
I am all for supporting efforts to showcase the strengths of adult learners. As stated, “It’s important that someone’s native language be respected. We shouldn’t be building walls, we should be building bridges.” Indeed.
I wonder if others here might comment on this dual certificate. If someone has earned a "passing score on the SAT or ACT in English, scoring at the highest level on the state’s standardized English test, among other tests," for sure, an English-language certificate is valid! I wonder about how students earn similar credentials in other languages. Do students earn dual credentials by simply speaking another language fluently? If not, I would suggest simply adding the ability to function in other languages to the list of skills listed in the English-language certificate.
What do others here think? Leecy