PLATFORM : Bilingual Teachers Offer a Boost Over the Barriers to Learning

At Orange High School, there are a lot of Latino teachers and that’s helpful for students who only speak Spanish.

I have friends who have been in this country only two years and they graduated because of the help from the Spanish-speaking teachers. They helped them do their work and to learn more English. They made the extra effort and encouraged the students to make a special effort.

I’ve been here seven years and I was taught to read in Spanish and then in English. They said it would be easier.

Latino teachers are helpful not only for the students but for the parents who do not speak English. They are encouraging students to go to college, to continue going to school. Many students are in gangs, and these teachers are helping them get out.