Canada has been throughout its history a multicultural nation as evidenced by its two official languages, and the French Canadian Roman Catholic school and English Canadian Protestant schools publicly supported in many parts of Canada. Since confederation, both legislative and administrative acts have attempted to meet multicultural needs. For…

Examines Catalan's remarkable revival in Catalonia (Spain) in the past 20 years. Discusses the 1978 referendum designating "autonomous communities," their languages having co-official status with Spanish; increases in Catalan usage in many sectors and among the young; Catalan usage in education; and challenges related to bilingual…

This review of the educational progress of Chinese Americans examines the demographic, cultural, and learning characteristics of this group with respect to the historical and current status of bilingual/bicultural program development. The Lau v. Nichols case is cited as a major influence and precedent for the development of federally mandated…

In an excerpt from his autobiography, a Mexican-American expresses his strong feelings about the unfortunate realities behind affirmative action and bilingual education, based on his own experiences and observation of others'. (MSE)

Flaws in the literature regarding the use of schools by German Roman Catholics in Western Canada as vehicles to perpetuate the German language and Catholic religion are pointed out and corrected. The educational system in St. Peter's colony was not uniform, as portrayed by many scholars, but pluralistic. Three types of schools were in use--two…

This fourth and final article in a series on the history of the New Jersey Education Association focuses on Association activities and educational issues in New Jersey in the 1970s. (SJL)

Various interpretations of the historical forces affecting U.S. language policy and attitudes toward bilingual education are examined. Changing political, social, and economic forces, rather than any consistent ideology, have shaped the nation's responses to language diversity. U.S. language ideology has shifted with changing historical events,…

Describes the influence of the Progressive Education movement, with its emphasis on experiential learning and community schools, on Bureau of Indian Affairs schools during the 1930s. Discusses the subsequent development of bilingual education programs for American Indian students and offers recommendations for improving the education of Navajo…

Today's fear that English is losing ground to the languages of recent immigrants parallels similar reactions throughout U.S. history. Traces historical moves to establish English as the official language and the development of bilingual education. Concludes that, although legislating of language use is nearly impossible, English as the unofficial…

Discusses the questionable survival of minority languages worldwide and of the Celtic languages in the United Kingdom. Examines governmental policies concerning the teaching and school use of Welsh, Scots Gaelic, and Irish Gaelic in their respective regions. Outlines some general principles to guide policies related to minority language…

This paper considers the declining use of Irish (Gaelic) as a language of instruction in both Ulster and the Republic of Ireland in this century. Policy statements are analyzed. Tables list percentages of primary and secondary schools conducted in Irish, English, or bilingual modes over the decades. (SJL)

The author briefly traces the change in educational policy for foreign-speaking students from English-only in the 1930s to bilingual education today. While noting the promise of bilingual education, she points out attitudinal and administrative problems which need correction. (SJL)

Reviews salient historical events and selected factors that reveal views on bilingualism in the United States from precolonial times to the present. Identifies patterns of attitudes toward bilingualism, and summarizes factors associated with various patterns in an effort to understand current controversy over bilingualism. Contains 42 references.…

Presents an overview of the history of Navajo language literacy. Discusses efforts of missionaries to transcribe a written Navajo language, early native language instruction using the Bible and religious texts, the first Native teachers, development of Navajo dictionaries and grammar books, and memories of the school experiences of a present-day…

This paper was commissioned by the Education Commission of the States to identify the educational needs of Puerto Rican students in the mainland United States. A historical overview of Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans, and their relationships with mainland United States is presented with a focus on the Puerto Rican emigration to the mainland. The role…