Speaking Spanish in class

Regarding "Speaking English would prepare students for state tests" (Page B7, Aug. 7), even though somewhat late, I would like other teachers to applaud Amy Lacey, the former principal of Hempstead Middle School, for encouraging the English as a Second Language students to speak English in the classrooms to better prepare themselves for the state tests which are in English.

I taught in a near-downtown public school and did not think the ESL teachers did enough to encourage the students to speak in English. My opinion at the time (1986-1994) was that the children would not be prepared for middle school and would eventually drop out.

Any chance I get to talk to Spanish-speaking parents, I encourage them not to enroll their children in the ESL program. They should insist on their children being placed in English-speaking classes because they learn English from the other students in class, as well as at play.

Theresa M. Sagan, Houston