Bilingual Hiring

The Times editorial of June 24, “Bilingual Education Boost”, omitted the mentioning of one aspect in the recruiting process for bilingual teachers.

When I moved out here from New Hampshire in 1980, I had already taught foreign languages and ESL for 17 years. My education included a bachelor’s degree in romance languages and masters’ degrees in Spanish and linguistics. I had taught Spanish and French at the secondary and university level and had taught ESL in Vietnam and Spain. In addition, I had a year’s experience working for the Department of Labor teaching English to Puerto Rican migrant workers.

My first disappointment came when I was told at the Los Angeles Unified School District that I could not teach ESL or bilingual education (Spanish-English) here because I did not possess an ESL or bilingual certificate from the State of California. There were no openings to teach Spanish. I was further informed that upon completion of 30 credits at an approved university I could take a test.

Long Beach Unified School District hired me as an ESL teacher without having to undergo any tests. Norwalk-La Mirada School District told me all I had to do was take a test at the Los Angeles County Education Office on Imperial Highway in Downey. Since I was living near the County Education Building, I took their test for a bilingual certificate. I passed everything except the cultural portion, which dealt exclusively with Mexico and the Mexican-American heritage. My experiences in Hispanic culture were limited to Spain and Puerto Rico. I was told I was qualified to teach ESL but would be given the bilingual certificate only upon successful passing of the cultural portion of their exam. When I completed a Mexican and Chicano Culture class offered through Cal State Fullerton, I retook the test and passed, thereby qualifying me for the bilingual certificate, which I now possess.

I know that I could have done as good a job teaching for the Los Angeles Unified School District in 1980 as I can now, but the door was closed to me. If the State of California is truly interested in hiring qualified personnel for the bilingual classes, then it had better search for improved ways to screen the applicants. Some teachers who deserve to be hired are undoubtedly finding employment elsewhere.

GERALD P. LUNDERVILLE

Downey