[Magdalen] 50 - 50

[Cantor03 at aol.com]

On the front page of the local (Hazleton, PA) Sunday paper there was  an
article about the current state of languages dominating the school  system.
 
Though the city primary schools had up and down percentages based
on their location, the local high school is now 50 - 50 Spanish -  English.
 
That is, 50% of students said their first language was Spanish, and
50% said English.  Those who spoke both languages were included  among
the Spanish totals.
 
There are a lot of services available in English and Spanish, and the  going
rate for bilingual interpreters is $31/hour.
 
As I understand it, the teaching continues to be primarily in  English.
 
At the 2010 US Census, the population of Hazleton was 40% Hispanic.
 
It will be interesting to see the figures in 2020.
 
Time (and change) marches on.
 
 
 
David Strang.