The controversy of how non-English speaking students learn in school has been a conflict for years, however; it is becoming more pertenant today than ever before. With more and more Latino immigrants arriving in America, the numbers of non-Enlgish speaking students is causing major issues in the education system. Until recent times, a bilingual education system has traditionally been used in teaching non-English speakers. In bilingual education, a student is taught in their native language for subjects such as math, science, and social studies. At the same time, these students learn the English language. Throughout this program, students make a progression from classes taught in their native languages to classes taught in all English. The controversy of this system is that many people feel that students who do not speak English should learn to do so as quickly as possible, and that bilingual education programs are expensive. Instead, they believe that students should be placed in immersion programs where a student learns English for a year, and then is placed in a mainstream classroom where the student can either "sink or swim". Supporters of this side of the issue believe the knowledge and understanding of the English language is more important than the quality of this student's education. Though a student may fall behind academically in this system, they will assimilate to the American culture and language at a faster rate.
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