"For one, the younger brain learns language more quickly than the teen brain does. The concepts and material high schoolers face in class are more complex and difficult than the ideas taught in elementary school. And teens study more subjects at a faster pace than do younger kids. Many young people long to be bilingual. They know it's necessary for school and work, and aim to earn a seal of biliteracy, recognizing that they've mastered two languages."
"Some teachers even offer to translate class materials and homework in Spanish. But some students say that is not enough. Senior Silvana Navarro came to the U.S. three years ago from El Salvador. Navarro said it was hard to learn English when she first arrived, and she is the only one who speaks English in her family. If she doesn't understand a concept or sentence from class, she uses Google Translate to help."
High school immigrants who arrive as teenagers face slower language learning because the teenage brain acquires language less quickly than younger brains. High school curricula present more complex concepts and faster-paced subject loads than elementary school, increasing learning difficulty. Many students aim to be bilingual for school and work and pursue a seal of biliteracy. San Jose has a large Hispanic population of about 300,000, and San Jose High School is around 85% Hispanic with many native Spanish speakers. The school offers some ESL and Spanish classes and occasional teacher translations, but students say supports remain insufficient and some rely on Google Translate.
Read at The Mercury News
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