reflection

Abstract

I will demonstrate the importance of being bilingual based on Jessica case in Scenario 1.

Jessica is 22-year-old Mexican American who moved from Illinois to attend college in

California but have got issues with the Hispanic classmates. This essay will reflect how the

being bilingual might have helped her to get along with the Hispanic students. The essay also

demonstrates how she will learn to get along with the Hispanic students by appreciating the

Hispanic language since she can understand the words spoken to her.

The best sort of advice I will give to Jessica is for her to appreciate the Hispanic language and

try to learn how to speak the language. She should interact with the Hispanic students so she

can learn how to speak the language. Essentially, she should choose a Hispanic student as a

friend, then explain her problem with the Hispanic language. Without a doubt, the Hispanic

friends will understand her issues and teach her how to speak the language.

Additionally, sharing the issues of speaking Spanish with the Spanish students will help her

get along with them since they will be able to appreciate the mistakes she makes while trying

to speak and correct her where necessary. Alternatively, she should attend some Hispanic

classes to learn how to speak the language. She steps further as she can understand the words

spoken to her. Being open minded will equally be helpful for her. Open mindedness will see

her connect with the Hispanic students and get to learn how to speak the language.

My advice represents the best course of action for the student to follow. The Chicano studies

class is important for her career and she should not feel uncomfortable with the classes. The

failure to share the experiences of other Hispanic students might change her attitudes toward

the Hispanic students and the language. Learning Hispanic language will give her access to a

greater range of information about the Chicano subject and enable her to communicate with

Hispanic students.

Furthermore, learning how to speak the Hispanic will be important for her career. The

knowledge of Spanish will increase her chances of finding a job in Europe and other nations

where Spanish is the language of communication. The lack of foreign language knowledge

puts the English speakers at a disadvantage. In meetings, for example, the people on the other

side can discuss things amongst themselves in their own language without the English

speakers understanding, and using interpreters slows everything down.

References

Bialystok E, Martin MM (2004). "Attention and inhibition in bilingual children: evidence

from the dimensional change card sort task".

Kessler, C., & Quinn, M. E. (1980). Positive effects of bilingualism on science problem-

solving abilities.

In J. E. Alatis, (Ed.), Current issues in bilingual education

Keysar, B., Hayakawa, S. L., & An, S. (2011). The foreign-language effect: Thinking in a

foreign tongue

reduces decision biases. Psychological Science