Going bilingual at University of Texas
Professor Dagoberto Ramirez, who teaches in English and Spanish at the varsity's Rio Grande Valley campus, says encouraging two languages in the classroom is a strategy for a successful future in America.
Professor Dagoberto Ramirez who teaches at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley wants the nation to be more open to Spanish culture even as the country is led by a Republican president whose politics are seen by some as less than inclusive.
Officials in the United States are expected to discuss border security and immigration later this week. As Mexicans protest President Donald Trump's wall and undocumented immigrants get rounded up, some living in the US border state Texas are offering a more inclusive approach.
More than a quarter of the 27 million people in Texas speak Spanish.
A professor at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – 18 kilometres from the Mexican border – thinks removing language barriers is one way to make the locals and the nation be more receptive to Spanish culture. Professor Dagoberto Ramirez teaches a programme - bilingually.
"The whole idea of bilingualism...is that a person with two languages is worth two people," Ramirez said.
Professor Ramirez says encouraging both languages in the classroom is a strategy for a future of success in a changing America, one led by a Republican president whose politics are seen by some as less than inclusive.
The local chairman of the Republican party agrees with Ramirez's strategy. Bilingualism ability is good for the economy, according to Sergio Sanchez.
TRT World's Tetiana Anderson takes us inside the public university system with a unique approach to bilingual education.
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