The English-only movement: Myths, reality, and implications for psychology.

ABSTRACT: The scientiJc literature relevant to the ar-guments for and against the English-only movement is reviewed, to determine whether the Resolution Against English Only before the Board of Directors and the Coun-cil of Representatives of the American Psychological As-sociation (APA) was supportable. Some of the misconcep-tions advanced by English-only advocates that ajfect the sociopsychological, educational, testing, and health-service delivery arenas are examined. It is argued that there is no support for English-only initiatives, and that the En-glish-only movement can have negative consequences on psychosocial development, intergroup relations, academic achievement, and ps.whometric and health-service delivery systems for many American citizens and residents who are not projicient in English. The public interest is hest