Chapter 28: Suggestion for Writing 2: Richard Rodriguez, “Public and Private Language”

Read Public and Private Language by Richard Rodriguez and answer the following question. Then “submit” your work.

Question 1

According to Rodriguez, “Supporters of bilingual education today imply that students like me miss a great deal by not being taught in their family’s language” (paragraph 1). Rodriguez counters this assumption by showing how his immersion in English allowed him to develop a public identity that ultimately led to his success. At the same time, however, his English-only immersion hurt his family life. Write an essay in which you take a stand on the complex topic of bilingual education, using further reading and research to support your position about how it does or does not benefit students.