'Taming wild tongues' : English-only approaches to language education and the impact on Latinos
This thesis takes a critical look at the broader ideologies ensconced in English-Only approaches to English-language education and considers their impacts on Latino students, families, communities, and identities. Consistent with the objectives and methodologies found within Chicano Studies, this thesis is concerned primarily with eliminating racial hierarchies by decentralizing hegemonic practices that emphasize English monolingualism as a key signifier of American identity and as a primary goal of the U.S.âs educational system. In short, the thesis argues that English-Only methods of language instruction work to keep the boundaries of American identity protected, albeit narrowed, within a white and middle-class framework; and characterizes Latinos as a group whose culture and language lacks legitimacy within the United States. This has significant impacts not only on their education, but on their family life and representations within popular culture. To better understand the complicated nexus of race, ethnicity and class in which the debate over language education is situated, the thesis draws on recent developments in Language Studies and Critical Pedagogy to outline the relationship between social identity,
Avila, Becky Marie
'Taming wild tongues' : English-only approaches to language education and the impact on Latinos. This thesis takes a critical look at the broader ideologies ensconced in English-Only approaches to English-language education and considers their impacts on Latino students, families, communities, and identities. Consistent with the objectives and methodologies found within Chicano Studies, this thesis is concerned primarily with eliminating racial hierarchies by decentralizing hegemonic practices that emphasize English monolingualism as a key signifier of American identity and as a primary goal of the U.S.âs educational system. In short, the thesis argues that English-Only methods of language instruction work to keep the boundaries of American identity protected, albeit narrowed, within a white and middle-class framework; and characterizes Latinos as a group whose culture and language lacks legitimacy within the United States. This has significant impacts not only on their education, but on their family life and representations within popular culture. To better understand the complicated nexus of race, ethnicity and class in which the debate over language education is situated, the thesis draws on recent developments in Language Studies and Critical Pedagogy to outline the relationship between social identity,
wild tongue english only approach language education impact take critical look broad ideology english only approach english_language education considers_impact student family community_identity consistent objective methodology find_within studies concern_primarily eliminate racial hierarchy hegemonic practice emphasize english key signifier american_identity primary_goal educational_system short argue english only method language instruction work keep boundary american_identity protect albeit narrow within white middle_class framework characterize group whose culture language lack legitimacy within united_states significant_impact education family_life representation within popular_culture well complicate nexus race ethnicity class debate language education situate draws recent_development language studies critical pedagogy outline relationship social_identity