Dear Gabacho:
Now the US has elected a new president, do expect to see any change in the way we educate our children, English speaking and otherwise, especially in regards to No Child Left Behind and specifically foreign language education?
Bilingual in Baltimore
Dear BiB:
President elect Obama has given us reason to be optimistic. During a town hall meeting Obama states, "I agree that immigrants should learn English. But instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English - they'll learn English - you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish. You should be thinking about how can your child become bilingual? We should have every child speaking more than one language." (Town Hall Meeting, Powder Springs, GA, July 8, 2008).
In regards to NCLB, Obama has been openly critical saying that "it is so narrowly focused on standardized tests that it has pushed out a lot of important learning that needs to take place. And foreign languages is one of those areas that I think has been neglected." (Democratic candidates' debate, February 21, 2008, Austin, TX).
Whether or not this rhetoric translates to improved and innovative education in the classroom is yet to be seen. You can see an outline of the President elect's education agenda at http://change.gov/agenda/education_agenda/ .
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Holiday Fiestas
Dear Gabacho:
It's my responsibility to plan the holiday party for all of our employees. We have over 150 employees, 40% of whom are Mexican or Spanish speaking. Over the past 5 years, very few of the Spanish speaking employees ever show up for the party, we do invitations in Spanish and everything. Why aren't they coming?
Judy, Personnel Director, Aspen, CO
Dear Judy:
Good question. There could be many reasons, but here are some that I've found out just by asking these questions: First, where is the party? Is it easily accessible if you don't have a car? Is it a neutral place, or a place where mostly non Spanish-speaking people hang out? Do you allow or invite the kids of the employees to come? Getting someone to babysit so that they can come to the work party might not be a possibility. Is the party at a time when you might be working if you had a second job?
Businesses that I've worked with have found that potluck events are often popular with all employees. There is a sense of comraderie because everyone is required to contribute. Parties where there is dancing, or bowling, or something that you are actually doing, besides eating, also seem to be universally appreciated and attended. A survey of your Spanish-speaking employees asking where they'd like the holiday party to be this year might reveal something too. If it is really important that all your employees attend, you also might want to consider throwing the party during your business hours, if possible.
It's my responsibility to plan the holiday party for all of our employees. We have over 150 employees, 40% of whom are Mexican or Spanish speaking. Over the past 5 years, very few of the Spanish speaking employees ever show up for the party, we do invitations in Spanish and everything. Why aren't they coming?
Judy, Personnel Director, Aspen, CO
Dear Judy:
Good question. There could be many reasons, but here are some that I've found out just by asking these questions: First, where is the party? Is it easily accessible if you don't have a car? Is it a neutral place, or a place where mostly non Spanish-speaking people hang out? Do you allow or invite the kids of the employees to come? Getting someone to babysit so that they can come to the work party might not be a possibility. Is the party at a time when you might be working if you had a second job?
Businesses that I've worked with have found that potluck events are often popular with all employees. There is a sense of comraderie because everyone is required to contribute. Parties where there is dancing, or bowling, or something that you are actually doing, besides eating, also seem to be universally appreciated and attended. A survey of your Spanish-speaking employees asking where they'd like the holiday party to be this year might reveal something too. If it is really important that all your employees attend, you also might want to consider throwing the party during your business hours, if possible.
Illegal Immigrants in US
Dear Gabacho:
How many illegal immmigrants are in the US?
HRD in SD
Dear HRD:
There were 11.9 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in March 2008, according to new Pew Hispanic Center estimates. Note the different terminology: illegal immigrant, undocumented, unathorized immigrant, illegal alien, etc.
There is a very interesting article at pewhispanic.org that talks about trends in immigration in the United States and how population is estimated.
How many illegal immmigrants are in the US?
HRD in SD
Dear HRD:
There were 11.9 million unauthorized immigrants living in the United States in March 2008, according to new Pew Hispanic Center estimates. Note the different terminology: illegal immigrant, undocumented, unathorized immigrant, illegal alien, etc.
There is a very interesting article at pewhispanic.org that talks about trends in immigration in the United States and how population is estimated.
Abortion in Mexico
Dear Gabacho:
Please forgive the bluntness of my question, but what is the abortion policy in Mexico?
No Embarazada, Ni Antiabortísta
Dear Nena:
In April 2007 lawmakers in Mexico voted 46 to 19 in favor of the bill that permits abortions of pregnancies in the first 12 weeks under any circumstances. Currently, only Mexico City allows abortions upon demand for the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy. Yucatán allows it in the cases of birth defects, undesired artificial insemination, economic reasons, when the woman already has three children, the pregnancy would cause life danger and rape. All other states penalize abortion except for rape cases and health problems.
Please see the following sources for more information:
BBC News
NY Times
Wikipedia
Life Site News
Please forgive the bluntness of my question, but what is the abortion policy in Mexico?
No Embarazada, Ni Antiabortísta
Dear Nena:
In April 2007 lawmakers in Mexico voted 46 to 19 in favor of the bill that permits abortions of pregnancies in the first 12 weeks under any circumstances. Currently, only Mexico City allows abortions upon demand for the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy. Yucatán allows it in the cases of birth defects, undesired artificial insemination, economic reasons, when the woman already has three children, the pregnancy would cause life danger and rape. All other states penalize abortion except for rape cases and health problems.
Please see the following sources for more information:
BBC News
NY Times
Wikipedia
Life Site News
Long Latino Names
Dear Gabacho:
Why do Spanish [speakers] have so many names? What do they all mean? What name should we use?
Confused Gringo
Dear Confused Gringo:
Latinos honor their forefathers and mothers by including their names in their own. Let's use an example to illustrate: Juan Carlos Vargas Soto. This man's first name is Juan Carlos (Juanca would be a nickname). The middle name Vargas (1st surname) comes from his father's last name (apellido paterno), and the last name Soto (2nd surname) is the mother's maiden name (apellido materno). Thus, simply put, his name is Juan Vargas, as per U.S. tradition. As with anyone's name, ask the individual what they would prefer to be called. For more information on latino names and origins, please check out this very interesting site: Spanish Surnames, Meanings & Origins.
Why do Spanish [speakers] have so many names? What do they all mean? What name should we use?
Confused Gringo
Dear Confused Gringo:
Latinos honor their forefathers and mothers by including their names in their own. Let's use an example to illustrate: Juan Carlos Vargas Soto. This man's first name is Juan Carlos (Juanca would be a nickname). The middle name Vargas (1st surname) comes from his father's last name (apellido paterno), and the last name Soto (2nd surname) is the mother's maiden name (apellido materno). Thus, simply put, his name is Juan Vargas, as per U.S. tradition. As with anyone's name, ask the individual what they would prefer to be called. For more information on latino names and origins, please check out this very interesting site: Spanish Surnames, Meanings & Origins.
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