Breaking language barriers : bilingual educational programs in museums

In the state of California, approximately 9 million people speak Spanish as their\ud first language at home. While many museums have invested in bi- and multi-lingual\ud interpretive signs, few have made the commitment to invest in regular bilingual\ud educational programming. In this thesis, museum educational programs aimed at\ud Spanish-speaking populations, especially in California, are examined. After a literature\ud review of education and museum education theory, the current debate on bilingual\ud educational programs in museums is examined, followed by a review of selected\ud museums that currently offer bilingual programs. Three case studies of museums in\ud California that offer bilingual family programs are then examined???the Tech Museum\ud and the Children???s Discovery Museum in San Jose, and LACMA in Los Angeles. The\ud case studies reveal why these museums invest in Latino audiences, and what elements are\ud necessary in order to begin and maintain successful bilingual programs. It is concluded\ud that museums must reflect on whether their current programs are reaching local Spanishspeakers,\ud and if not, museums must take action to include more members of their\ud communities. Finally, a series of recommendations are offered to museums attempting to\ud develop Spanish language bilingual programs. Museums cannot ignore the changing\ud demographics in American cities, and must find a way to engage non English-speaking\ud audiences