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How Bilingual Education Became Controversial

Language commentator Geoff Nunberg reviews a new book by James Crawford which examines the history of bilingual education. Despite the contemporary controversy surrounding the issue, Nunberg and Crawford point out that such curricula was once considered a valuable way of helping immigrant children learn English and assimilate into American culture -- a view once shared by conservatives in the 1970s.

03:45

Other segments from the episode on March 1, 1989

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, March 1, 1989: Interview with Barry Lopez; Review of an album of Harold Shapero's orchestral works ; Interview with Pamela Reed; Review of James Crawford's book "Bilingual…

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