Voters in California have opted overwhelmingly to scrap bilingual education.

For the past 30 years, Californian schools have taught non-English speakers in their mother tongue - mainly Spanish - and let them learn English gradually.

Now voters have decided that all children in California will be taught exclusively in English.

But does bilingual education work? Or is it better to throw children in at the deep end and allow them to sink or swim?

Critics of the bilingual system in California say that it has left thousands of youngsters unable to function properly in English. It has also caused the segregation of students by language.

Those in favour however have dubbed its opponents racist. And they think that stopping bilingual teaching takes away parents' right to choose.

The events in California raise wider issues about how best to integrate immigrants. They also open questions about how best to teach two or more languages to children.

In your experience does bilingual education work? Is it a disadvantage to have to learn two or more languages at such an early age and is it true -- that fluent English is the only way to succeed whether you live in the United States, Europe, Asia or Africa?

What do you think?

Your posted comments on this subject may be used in a new series of Newstalk from the BBC World Service. Click here for more details of how to take part.

Does bilingual education work?

My wife is Italian and as we are expecting our first baby this is a hot issue for us...
Ben Reid, UK

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