Bilingual Education: Improving Your Life There are currently approximately 6,000 languages ​​(Language Loss). “10,000 years ago there may have been 12,000 languages ​​(Cancio).” In the next century, approximately ninety percent of all the world's languages ​​could become extinct, because "languages ​​are no longer learned by children" (Law). Some of these languages ​​are also being lost as people move to the United States in search of a better life. Another cause may be that “the United States fails to graduate enough students with foreign language skills” (Saiz and Zoido 523). In 2009 there were 38,517,234 immigrants in the United States (Batalova and Aaron). In 2011, 23 percent of elementary and secondary school children in California had LEP, or Limited English Proficient Student. Bilingual education is a way to teach a child in his native language and at the same time learn English (Bilingual Education). Schools should teach a child in his native language while teaching him English because it helps preserve his culture, ensure a better working future, and bilingual students perform better in school. Although bilingual education is expensive, costing $800 million in 2011, it has increased test scores, increased the amount of money earned and chances of finding a job, and has maintained the United States' diverse cultures (Peek). This $800 million represents only 0.0002% of the education budget. People may not want to learn English for fear of losing their culture, but bilingual education helps these people learn English and integrate into the United States (Bilingual Education). People say bilingual education is...... middle of paper...... Bilingualism." The Telegraph.Telegraph Media Group, June 19, 2013. Google Scholar. Web. May 15, 2014.Neto, Maria G. “The Impact of Bilingual Education on Indigenous Language and Culture.” Texas Linguistics Forum 52 (2008): 59–69. Google Scholar Web. 11 May 2014. O'Neil, Dennis language and thought." Language and Culture: Linguistic and Thought Processes. Palomar College, October 24, 2006. Web. May 4, 2014. Peek, Liz. "Bilingual Education: Throw It Out and Teach Kids English." 2010. Web . May 20, 2014. "Percent of Limited English Students." ED. Data Express, May 5, 2014. Web May 11, 2014. Saiz, Albert and Elena Zoido “Listening to What the World Says: Bilingualism and Earnings in the United States.” review of economics and statistics 87.3 (2005): 523-528 Web 2014.