Right to use own language

Holly Leonard
Sept. 21, 2016
Prof. Young
ENGL 1100, Writing Workshop
Right of Language

I personally believe students should have the right to use their own language, but to an extent. I do not have another language to use so I cannot relate to the struggles of some other bilingual students might feel, but I can say that I would find it very difficult to understand. I only speak English with a small understanding of Italian, but not enough to speak in full sentences. By mainly speaking English, I would be very lost in conversations or in class discussions if everyone were speaking in their own native tongue. I have nothing against those who can speak multiple languages, I believe it is an amazing thing to be able to do, but I don't think that in a classroom it would be appropriate. If students were to write in German, Italian, Spanish, or any other language, than professors would need to know and understand every language a student may use. It seems almost impossible to achieve. Every American citizen has the right to use whatever language they would like, but I think it would be best if they used the main language of English to help those like me who would not understand. It may seem unfair that there is no respected freedom of language in a classroom, but a classroom could not successfully function if there were 10 different languages being used. If there were a freedom of language, nobody could learn properly because nobody would understand. If there were specific classes for German speaking or Spanish speaking students, than it would not count as a freedom of language but more of segregation for the native tongues. Student should have the right to use whatever language they find most comfortable, but it is now practical to try and bring it into a classroom.