Speak the language

Understanding diversity begins with talking about the common and the different. You can't talk about it if you refuse to learn the language.
Kids, you need to learn English. Or else you'll be left behind in the technological swarm.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• english
• spanish
• mexican
• immigrants
• california
• learn
• languages
• diversity
• advantage
• internet
• computer
• asset

[ImpaledNoob]

I am an immigrant myself and know all your points to be true. I learned English in my home country and improved it when I moved along with my family to the US. I am currently studying Computer Science and have actually studied and even learned other world languages. What I see here in the US is that it is almost impossible for non-English speakers to learn the language (most immigrants come from a poor social background), this is where the govt intervenes, they must educate these people.

[MaddestOfThemAll]

I agree that for many immigrants over the age of 18, whose primary language is not Spanish, it can be difficult to find places where they can learn English. I dealt with this not long ago with an elderly French speaking woman who desperately wanted to learn, but found few resources due to her age. (It seems any over 18 are basically ignored.) It was pure coincidence that lead me to her. I was able to find someone to teach her. She's doing great.

[MaddestOfThemAll]

The problem is not among the adults, who want to learn English and can't get the education they want and need. It's the kids who are getting the education needed, and refusing to learn that are causing the problem.

Worse, it's the underpaid teachers who care that are getting abused the most by those students under 18.

The problem is not new. It existed when I was young. Budget cuts have made it worse.

[waassappening]

immigrant kids usually learn English very quickly.

[MaddestOfThemAll]

True, but lately it seems many make the choice not to learn. Their peers, who often already speak English, discourage it, in the belief that they will get special benefits from being a non-English speaker. California isn't the only state with this problem, but California seems to have the worst case of violence against English speaking teachers.

The point is, everyone should learn more than one language. English is a good start due to the technology where English is the base language.

[Doag4]

eres tus de mexico?

[MaddestOfThemAll]

I'm not from Mexico, but I have many very good friends who are. Some of my family is from Okinawa, some from Scotland and Russia, but most are Native American. My first language was actually Tsagali, the Cherokee language.

[Swedetres]

I work in swfl, only american on the job, they refuse to speak English, so now i understand Spanish and they are not happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[onstageagain]

STAY IN MEXICO! I'm concerned about ME getting health care, not some dumb azz MEXICAN who shouldn't be here in the 1st place! We can't afford the leeching monkeys. These reconquistas wave Mexican flags in the air, shout Spanish & nostalgically wax on about how wonderful Mexico is, how morally superior it is to the US & the same time protest against being sent back to Mexico, that place they say is so great, but left & wouldn't go back if U held a gun to there black heads.

[ImpaledNoob]

All very good points. But in order for there to be a change the government must intervene. As the growing Hispanic population expands in states like California and Texas, the various generations of immigrants see learning English far from being a need since most of them know that they will be doing blue collar jobs. The problem is that in many years to come there will be parts of the country where only Spanish is spoken. There must be an immigration reform and afterward drastic immigration laws.

[Aztecson23]

"Their peers, who often already speak English, discourage it . . . California seems to have the worst case of violence against English speaking teachers."

Ahahaha . . . maybe another thing students should be encouraged to master is the use of empirical data to back up general statements.

Looks like knowing english is not enough to produce logical arguments.

[Doag4]

esta bien :D