Week 14: Language planning and policy

Because I accidently read this week’s readings last week I will be discussing last week’s readings in this blog.  McKay & Bokhorsts’s articles, as well as Chapter 4 in our book discuss the role of language planning policy in the learning of a second language.  It is important to consider the relationship between language status and social class when discussing the topic of bilingualism.  This belief that English serves as a national unifying language, I think, is definitely a large contributor to parents’ decisions and family language policy.  For example, in the 30 plus years my parents have lived in the United States, they have always been made to think that without learning English it will be almost impossible for them or their children to be prosper as citizens of this country.  In this case, English holds a sense of superiority over all other languages (no other languages will be of value or use here in the United States).  Although my parents felt that it was too late for them to learn English proficiently, they wanted their 4 children to have the language and use it to better their lives. Although my parents wanted us to learn English, they always encouraged us to also speak Spanish at home.  English is the language through which we function in society, and Spanish is the language through which we communicate at home with our parents.  However, this is not always the case amongst Latino immigrant families.  Every family has different language policies.  McKay & Bokhorst shed light on the growing support for bilingual education among both white middle class parents and also language minority parents.  The article also talks about how both personal networks and public discourses influence and help to establish family language policies.  These networks and influences shape parents’ beliefs of what it means to be a “good parent.”  Looking back, it is really difficult for me to pinpoint exactly what factors influenced my parents to be so supportive of us learning English, while keeping our Spanish.  Growing up, the only time we ever used Spanish was at home when speaking to our parents.  I think that just being able to continue communicating with our parents was reason or motivation enough to keep our Spanish.  On the other hand, doing well in school , being able to be an active member of society, and communicating with our friends were all motivators to learn English.