Full immersion in English gives immigrant kids a boost

Re the Jan. 3 online opinion by Miami Herald columnist Fabiola Santiago, “Florida should allow students learning English to take tests in other languages:” At the risk of sounding stupid, would it be possible for a newlyarrived immigrant child to spend the first school year only learning to read and write English, and not actually begin taking regular classroom subjects until the following year?

While such students would always be a year behind logistically, they would be so much more adaptable, competitive, and capable of taking tests without the terror of not understanding what they’re even looking at or reading.

Santiago was exactly correct when she asked: “What’s the goal — to teach English or to break students’ spirits?”

I cannot imagine how frightening it would be to take an exam for which I could not even understand the basics of what was demanded of me.

Perhaps these English reading and writing classes could be taught by capable volunteers to help reduce the cost of hiring new teachers.

Giving the tests in Spanish or Mandarin or whatever the language is not the answer, because if they haven’t understood what they’ve been taught, how can they pass a test, even if given in their own language?

More attention needs to be given to this subject so we do not continue allowing foreign-born children to graduate from high school unable to function in American society.

Yes, they’ll graduate at 19 instead of 18, but they’ll be able to compete and have opportunities that would otherwise be denied them.

– Gayle Duncan,

Coral Gables

AUSTRALIAN FIRES

I offer a sincere thank you to the outpouring of well-wishes and concerns expressed by my fellow South Floridians in response to the devastating bush fires continuing to threaten the people of Australia. In addition to the destruction of property and natural resources, the fires have had a significant negative impact on the health of the human population.

This past week, National Geographic released studies indicating that as many as several hundred million animals will be lost during this period of drought and devastation!

For those persons wishing to donate funds to aid in relief efforts, the Australian embassy has chosen the Red Cross as the recommended recipient.

Joe Hockey, Australian ambassador to the United States, has asked me to communicate his gratitude for the generosity shown by so many Americans in response to his country’s disastrous situation.

– Don Slesnick, honorary consul for Florida, Australian Consulate, Miami

TAKING ACTION

After 40 years of Iranian provocations against America, President Trump took limited but effective action to push back on the Iranians.

Now the Democrats, instead of supporting the president, like Republicans supported Obama when he gave the order to kill Osama Bin Laden, they criticize him and try to restrict his war powers.

Because of past failures by Republican and Democrat presidents in trying to contain rogue regimes like Iran, North Korea, Russia and Cuba, President

Trump is in a difficult situation — and not of his making.

Faced with the challenge to correct the bad behavior of these countries, much forceful action is needed now (and will be needed in the future).

– Alberto Vega, Miami

NO PROTECTION

In Florida, where two of the worst gun massacres in American history occurred, a gun is stolen every 26 minutes. In Florida, a child is shot every 17 hours, and guns are the second leading cause of death for children.

The Florida Legislature has made its priorities clear. Will it protect citizens from gun violence? Protect children from accidental shootings? Try to stem the epidemic of suicide by guns?

Not on your life. Legislators are sending $6 million in taxpayer funds to the Palm Beach County Shooting Sports Park, a gun range partially funded by the NRA.

Could legislators have used that money to promote safe storage of guns, provide gun locks to protect children, educate the public about gun theft, and prevent suicide? Of course they could have. But they have their priorities — and it’s not you.

– Barbara J. Markley, Fort Lauderdale

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WORTHWHILE PROJECT

For many years, I have sent a framed copy of Paul Harvey’s famous 1970 radio address, “What policemen are made of”, to all police officers shot on the job. There is a need to boost police morale and these framed copies really help, according to the thank you letters from those who receive them.

I am now 86 and can no longer keep up this project. It would mean so much more to the fallen police officer or police family if the certificate came from the president of the United States. I have sent letters to President Trump, members of his staff and congressmen asking them to take over the project. I hope they are able to do so.

I will supply a copy of Harvey’s radio address and other letters to the police departments for anyone who wants to take over this project if the president will not.

– George E. Acaley,

Boynton Beach

FIX SALES TAX

My car was little more than a year old when a deer in Maine totaled it. Insurance gave me money to buy a new auto.

But now I have to pay another $2,000 in sales taxes.

Most folks who buy new will keep their auto for three or more years. How about Florida legislators fixing this problem and give some kind of a taxcredit when such a disaster happens?

– Robert Fournier,

Miami

TOUGH-MINDED

Re the Jan. 8 letter, “Elder statesman:” The writer suggests that 80-year-olds are increasingly likely to become cognitively impaired and that Joe Biden be tested to see if he has reached that point before running for the office of president.

President Trump has lied, acted rashly, been in denial and shown other deviant behaviors. Yet no one has recommended that he be given a mental competency test.

Biden has served as vice president; this indicates his superior intelligence. There are reports that the brains of such people are more resilient.

– Ellen Girden,

Aventura

CRUISE POLLUTERS

How high can the fines be to stop Carnival Cruise Lines from polluting Cape Canaveral’s waters and waters throughout everywhere these ships travel? It’s disgusting and seemingly never-ending. Our canals and waterways are becoming like the waters in third world countries.

– Dan Fein,

Aventura

BROKEN SAFETY

No one other than Republicans, who could care less for the truth, say Democrats are the only ones who feel sorry for the take down of the Iranian general. This could not be further from the truth. Yes, Democrats and many other people question the timing and the reason.

Yes, two past presidents had a thought of doing away with the general. One a Democrat, one a Republican. They talked it over and decided it would not stop anything; the cost could be more than it is worth in lives, etc.

Our leaders today think only of now, not tomorrow; forget the truth or the cost.

“Eminent threat”. Is this the same truth as “weapons of mass destruction”?

To give credit to our bone spurs hero for this take down of a general, is like giving credit for our great relationship with world leaders.

Do we feel so much safer today than we did before the killing of the general?

– Samuel Richter, Miami

WHAT A DEAL

We gave Iran back the money we stole from them and got a nuclear treaty in the bargain. Sounds like a pretty good deal.

– John B. McCaughan,

Miami Shores

SPEEDY TRIAL

“Verdict first, trial later!” That’s the way the Queen of Hearts loudly demanded that a trial of the Knave of Hearts should be conducted in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell seems to agree. He has stated that he intends to conduct President Trump’s upcoming Senate impeachment trial “in full coordination with the White House,” while taking his cues from Trump’s defense counsel.

In other words: “Acquittal first, trial later.”

– Phillip Hubbart,

Miami

‘‘ A 92-YEAR-OLD MAN IN IRELAND HAD HIS CHILDHOOD DREAM OF GOING SKIING COME TRUE. FUNERAL SERVICES ARE TOMORROW.

Jimmy Fallon