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Language Policy Timeline

  • Dr John Eaton former Commissioner

    Dr John Eaton former Commissioner
    Dr John Eaton former Commissioner of Education for the United States and his assistant Dr. Victor Clark state that teachers in Puerto Rico should learn English and those who are already equipped would recieve employment preference for employment.
  • The Treaty of Paris

    The Treaty of Paris
    The Treaty of Paris, introduced teaching all subjects in English in the public schools which was very much in line with the assimilationist movement.
  • The use of English in PR

    The use of English in PR
    The use of English increased in schools with the idea to convert the official language in Puerto Rican schools.
  • English in alll Schools Grade

    English in alll Schools  Grade
    Spanish was erased. English was used to teach every grade. Spanish use is suppressed and English is used as the mean of teaching in all the school grades.
  • English Teachers

    English Teachers
    English teachers flourished making it possible to establish the English language as the base with a high enrollment of students.
  • Spanish is used in first grade for some classes like, Hygiene, Health, and Reading

    Spanish is used in first grade for some classes like, Hygiene, Health, and Reading
    Spanish is used in first grade for some classes like, Hygiene, Health, and Reading.Spanish was re-introduced in first grade for some classes like health, and it was recommended that all reading be done in Spanish.
  • A law is introduced to make Spanish the teaching language in Puerto Rico.

    A law is introduced to make Spanish the teaching language in Puerto Rico.
    A protectorate was presented that made Spanish a mandatory form of teaching.
  • Spanish was established as the mean of teaching from first to fourth grade. From fifth grade English would be used in half of the classes and Spanish in the other half.

    Spanish was established as the mean of teaching from first to fourth grade. From fifth grade English would be used in half of the classes and Spanish in the other half.
    Established Spanish as the form of teaching for grades first through fourth grade and English used for half of the subjects in fifth grade. The other half of the subjects would be taught in Spanish.
  • World War I begins and Puerto Ricans are granted citizenship. Puerto Ricans go to war and schools are required to teach students about acts of patriotism.

    World War I begins and Puerto Ricans are granted citizenship.   Puerto Ricans go to war and schools are required to teach students about acts of patriotism.
    The political controversy continues; WWI starts and the American citizenship is given to the Puerto Ricans. It is asked to teach the children about patriotism.
  • Juan B. Huyke became Instruction commissioner.

    Juan B. Huyke became Instruction commissioner.
    Juan B. Huyke became Instruction commissioner. In that moment more emphasis is given to English and it is encouraged to be used at all times in order to learn it. The teacher s and students were asked to use English even outside of the classroom. The books were published in English. The printing of Spanish materials was prohibited.
  • Jose Padin established English as a foreign language in a pedagogical perspective

    Jose Padin established English as a foreign language in a pedagogical perspective
    Things in Puerto Rico were difficult from an economic, social and educational perspective. The recession affected every aspect. The Commisioner, Dr. José Padin, was the first to expose that English is a foreign language from an educational point of view and fought to add Spanish as a form of instruction. English was not abandoned but the emphasis was given as a second language, with many special programs for enrichment.
  • President Roosevelt complained that Puerto Ricans had not learned English after 38 years of American occupation. He wanted all the education to be given in English so that the next generation could know English.

    President Roosevelt complained that Puerto Ricans had not learned English after 38 years of American occupation. He wanted all the education to be given in English so that the next generation could know English.
    Dr. Padin quit. José M. Gallardo was named Commissioner of Education. The President of the United States complained that Puerto Ricans had not learned English after 38 years of American occupation and wished that all instruction was in English so that the next generation would speak English.
  • Spanish prevailed as the mean of instruction up to the sixth grade and English continued as a separate subject.

    Spanish prevailed as the mean of instruction up to the sixth grade and English continued as a separate subject.
    Spanish until the sixth grade and English as a subject continues.
  • The vernacular Spanish

    The vernacular Spanish
    The vernacular Spanish was to be used as the mean of instruction up to the ninth grade
  • Dr. Mariano Villaronga put an end to the bilingual debate by stating that Spanish was to be used in all school levels starting in the 1949-50 school year. This prevails today.

    Dr. Mariano Villaronga put an end to the bilingual debate by stating that Spanish was to be used in all school levels starting in the 1949-50 school year. This prevails today.
    Mariano Villaronga ended the lengthy debate regarding imposing bilingualism on vernacular teaching at all levels in public schools.
  • Bilingual Project in PR

    Bilingual Project in PR
    Padre Rufo and Papa Juan XXIII Bilingual Projects are established in Puerto Rico.
  • United States Congress

    United States Congress
    The United States Congress authorizes the Bilingual Education projects in Puerto Rico to focus on learning in Spanish in an effort to improve the performance of students in the Puerto Rican education system.
  • Romero Barcelo

    Romero Barcelo
    The New Progressive Party Carlos Romero Barceló. The Bilingual Education program is no longer and its projects are transferred to the English Department. It was difficult for teachers to recieve bilingual certification during this time when Romero Barceló signed the certification.
  • Bilingual Education

    Bilingual Education
    The Bilingual Education Program, already established, stops being a program and their projects were transferred to the English Department
  • Peoples Party

    Peoples Party
    People’s Party under the power of Rafael Hernández Colon, approved four projects for the Department of Education in Puerto Rico.
  • Elementary Levels adapted in English

    Elementary Levels adapted in English
    Educational policies conserved Spanish and adapted English. Spanish for elementary levels and English as special material.
  • Under the government of Rafael Hernández Colón the "Spanish Only" was approved as, Law Number 4, April 5, 1991.

    Under the government of Rafael Hernández Colón the  "Spanish Only" was approved as, Law Number 4, April 5, 1991.
    1991- Spanish only legislation approved by the popular Party. This law was revoked and substituted in 1993.
  • Under the government of Pedro Roselló Law Number 1 January 28, 1993 proclaiming as official languages of the island both, English and Spanish.

    Under the government of Pedro Roselló Law Number 1 January 28, 1993 proclaiming as official languages of the island both, English and Spanish.
    The Spanish only legislation is substituted for the Pro statehood party language policy which establish both English and Spanish as the official language on the island.
  • Antonio Gonzalez Suarez School

    Antonio Gonzalez Suarez School
    The Bilingual Citizen Project established various bilingual schools in the Island. Among the ones that survived is the Antonio González Suárez in Añasco.
  • BEC- 21 and ES-21 projects

    BEC- 21 and ES-21 projects
    There are new bilingual initiatives in Puerto Rico under the BEC-21 and ES-21 projects.
  • 1970- the Public Instruction Department and the universities have solicited funds to attend the students who are returnees from the United States.

    1970- the Public Instruction Department and the universities have solicited funds to attend the students who are returnees from the United States.
    In Puerto Rico, both the Department of Education and the universities, applied for funds to meet the needs of students who return to the United States.