“My ELLs are so far behind…. they can’t read full ESSAYS!” Sound familiar? This post dissects the deficit thinking that accompanies a Monolingual mindset steeped in assimilation forces. Through video testimonials and a pretty cringey opening story, you’ll be able to spot the Monolingual Bias in no time.

As a professor at an urban state-funded school that credentials teacher candidates (TCs) to enter the workforce, I was tasked with supervising field placements for those seeking a bilingual endorsement. Obtaining a doctorate in bilingual education at the local Big-Name University coupled with my decade of experience as a rank-and-file teacher, I felt up to the challenge.