Reply #34: I hear this story all the time

[Maestro]

First I want to congratulate you for learning English. However, you have come to a new country with a good basis in your first language; therefore, you were able to take on the second.

I am referring to children who have had little or no schooling and are entering our pre-schools and elementary schools not knowing English. We must teach them to be literate in their first langauge since this is the language in which they process information. Doing this, the children can transfer literacy skills from one language to the other.

Learning English is a must, but I want to teach a child to be able to think as well.

For more info look at this debate: DU Bilingual Debate