Should speaking English be a requirement to immigrate to America?

Question

Not the day you land hear but within a certain time frame you would be required to learn.

Answer 1

Abso "friggin" lutely.

Answer 2

Yes, if they want to become citizens they must know at least a small portion of the langue. They should know how to get a job and do day to day activities in English just as it is required in many other countries (ie. France requires French…). Soon enough English or Spanish will become the world’s langue but I’m thinking English will win out.

Answer 3

No .. contrary to what most people believe English is, in no way, the "official" language of the US. The United States has never declared any single language as official and we have always been a nation of greatly varied linguistics. Now we have many people that speak Spanish .. but in the past there were many that spoke only Italian or Chinese or Russian or Polish or .. well ... we are a nation of Immigrants with the only native tongue being those dialects spoken by the Native American peoples.

Answer 4

As a supporter of Immigrants, I feel it should be required. Im not suggesting they know perfect english, but they should be able to take care of themselves in a foreign country. If asked a question, they should know how to answer, if they are sick, they need to tell the doctor whats worng etc. When we talk about the concept of learning English, we are not talking reading a presidential address to millions, just everyday conversation--yes a must.

Answer 5

It should be. How else will immigrants survive in the US if they do not know how to speak the language? An immigrant is expected to learn not only the language of the Americans but also their culture. As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do what the Romans do." Therefore, when in America... ;-)

Answer 6

Yes it should be a requirement. I should not have to push a button on the phone for an English speaking operator. Its America and GOD Bless America.

Answer 7

Yes. I don't go to other countries and expect them to speak English for me. It's ignorant and lazy not to. I go to Cancun every summer, and even though its a tourist spot and a lot of people speak English there, I took the time to learn enough Spanish to have basic conversations and get around. I was recently denied a job because I don't speak Spanish (I live in Texas....eh).

Answer 8

My dad lives in US for almost 9 years and he still cant speak any English ... it's not that he doesn't want to.. it's just that he doesn't have to. We live in Chicago where as many of you probably know is a huge polish community and even though we aren't polish we can understand their language since it's very similar. So ,you see, there is no reason for my dad to learn English since he can do everything he needs to do in polish.

But back to your question ... yes I'll have to agree on this one. If you want to live somewhere learn the language.

Answer 9

no, this is the land of immigrants and the free. if u want to learn English, learn it. if u can survive without it, fine. Don't put your oppressing requirement on others, that's not American

Answer 10

I'll tell you what, no one would vote for me, if it was up to me I would allow politicians to be prosecuted for official acts if those official acts led to a civil war or another war for independance.

Yes, they must learn English, there is no soverign law that says I must learn Spanish. Integrate don't colonize.

Answer 11

NO I DON'T AGREE WITH ANYONE AT ALL, WHEN THEY SAY THAT PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, I.E. MEXICO, SHOULD BE PREVENTED ON ALL ACCOUNTS, FROM COMING TO LIVE IN THE U.S.A. THEY ARE HUMANS JUST AS WE ARE, AND THEY ARE AS EQUAL AS WE ARE!

NO THERE SHOULD NOT BE A REQUIREMENT TO LEARN ENGLISH IF COMING TO LIVE HERE, BUT THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE ARE, AND I WISH EVERYBODY WOULD TRY TO HELP OTHERS MORE!