The issue of whether the United States should declare a national language is very important. If English were chosen as the national language, then all others would be more difficult to use. This would lessen the wonderful variety of people that is such a strength of our great "melting pot." At the same time, there is the question of whether other languages should be used in the public school systems of this country. Ebonics was suggested for use in the Oakland, CA public schools; opponents of this say this puts those students at a disadvantage since they will not be adequately prepared to meet the nation in its common language, English. Proponents of Ebonics say that by teaching the students in their native language, the teachers will be able to reach them more effectively and communicate with them better.
Jon's Opinion The role of schools is to educate; that's why Ebonics was brought up in the first place in Oakland. Using this language to educate the students will allow them to learn faster, keeping them up to par with the rest of the nation. If we don't do something to improve the education of inner-city students, they will be a severe disadvantage when it comes to employment.
Alan's Opinion The United States should make English the national language. After all, it almost is already. Everywhere, people speak English to communicate. If I were to travel to Arizona or Idaho or Kentucky, I would find that the people in these states all speak English. Furthermore, in today's world, English is the common language used to talk between different countries and nationalities. It has become the common denominator for many such things as these. If our schools were to teach another language in place of English, the children would then be prevented from interacting with the majority of the business world. This is the major reason I oppose such programs as the one involving Ebonics. If denied basic English literacy and communication skills, how are those kids going to be able to interact with the rest of the English-speaking world?
Copyright © 1997 Jonathan Chin & Alan Stern