Advantages of Spanish-English Bilingualism: Mexican Teachers’ Experiences and Recommendations

• In Event: Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: Language and Literacy Education: Global Perspectives

Abstract

76 highly proficient bilingual Mexican teachers of English described factors that contributed to their success in acquiring English and discussed the impact of English in their lives. The majority of respondents expressed that they were very motivated to learn English and noted that learning this language has positively impacted their social and economic standing. This paper offers teachers’ views as well as their recommendations for enhancing the development of the English language in Mexican schools. The role of English as a catalyst for economic upward mobility is analyzed and language policy implications are presented. Our findings are useful to researchers, educators, and language policy professionals around the world who wish to enhance students’ English language proficiency.

Authors

• Ali Borjian, San Francisco State University

• Amado M. Padilla, Stanford University