Should ALL legal aliens (immigrants) be required to learn English?

Question

It does not make snese to me, hat millions upon millions of dollars are spent each year by my government, printing up various versions of forms, booklets, etc to cater to those that have asked, and been approved, to participate in our society (not to mention the burden of forcing prvate businesses to spend thier own monies to cater to this clientel)!
If you aks to join a baseball team, you have to attain the required equipment (glove, uniform etc...), so why, if one ask to participate in American culture, should that person be allowed to refuse to do so at the basest level (communication)?
I would propose a 6 month period whereby ALL LEGAL aliens MUST stisfacorily complete a language course , one that ends with the person reading, writing, and speaking, in a passable fashion or they would then be removed from the USA.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

This would also make it easier to spot illegals!

remember the addage:
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
So I guess it smacks of mousolini (or however you spell it, it is late and I really don't care how to spell it right now!)

Answer 1

I believe that if you are going to live here...you learn to speak the language. I work in the public forum. I can not tell you how many times I have been yelled at....in spanish....because I could not communicate with someone. I'm not saying that in your home you can't speak your native tongue. There is a richness of culture that comes from learning a second..or third language, so I do see some benifit from teaching your children to speak your native tongue. HOWEVER in order to function in an english speaking, or for that matter any foreign language culture, you need to have a grasp of the language of the country in which you live. If I move to Mexico, I would learn to speak mexican, in France, french, Germany, german. I do not, nor would not expect the local merchants or residents to speak to me in "MY" language.
Also only speaking your native language, while living in another culture, segregates you from the rest of society. You see pockets of non English speaking communities all over. Many people never leave these communities, therefore never emersing themselves in thier new culture. When they are forced to leave these communites, for food or work, they can't communicate with people who do not speak their language. This can be a disadvantage for both parties, especially if they fall ill and need emergancy services. Neither EMT or victim can communicate therefore delaying treatment. You do yourself a diservice if you do not learn to speak the language of the country you live and work. To expect Americans to learn Spanish and French and German and Korean, Portugese, Italian etc... all so we can all communicate, is too much of a burden given the diverse population here in the states. If you come here, for more than a short vacation, learn to communicate with us...don't expect us to learn your language. As far as 6 months to learn a new language, that may be a bit short though I have seen it done, but at the most elementary level start teaching these non english speaking children to speak english in preK if the parents are not capable of teaching them at home.

Answer 2

English would have to be the national language first.

I think requiring everyone who wishes to become a citizen to learn English is too much. Also, what determines if they know English? A fifth grade reading level? This doesn't necessarily mean they can speak the language!

I know most high school students study a foreign language for two years (approximately 1 hour every work day for 1.5 years) and aren't proficient at that language! How can an adult who has a job find this kind of time? What about children?

Answer 3

Some of my students of English as a second language in China had studied English for 10 or 15 years and while they could read and write with understanding, they still couldn't speak the language. English learning/teaching is the largest business in the world; every country in the world, including North Korea, for example, has people trying to learn to speak English because it is the global language of business. But it takes time, lots of time, much more than 6 months or even 6 years. So, on your last point, I disagree completely. You'd be setting up people who come to a new culture (it takes about 6 months just to get over the culture shock), and must find work, join in, etc. for failure. All English-speaking countries, however, require students coming to their country to study to pass TOEFL or IELTS exams showing their oral, written, and reading skills in English. I think such a test should be given to all persons seeking LEGAL entry into the US, for without English, you're stuck forever in limbo, in a second- or third-class status, unable to participate in the wider society and political life.

As for ILLEGAL immigrants, when apprehended they should be given the chance to learn English. I would eliminate the Spanish-speaking classes in so many cities around the US. This is not a function of public education. Instead of buying into the consumer society right away, these immigrants need to be using their money to learn English, for the same reason cited above--without it they'll be stuck forever doing grunt work. So it's an incentive, but it should be voluntary. If they want to remain donkeys all their lives, that's their business, but they'll not be able to become citizens, vote, work in business, and so on.

Answer 4

You know, there was a language test in the USA in order to disqualify blacks from voting. Personally I think this is kind of similar, of course, not in all aspects, but in the fact that you disqualify people that have completely legitimate reasons for going into the USA, just as any American has a legitimate reason for voting in the USA.
My grandparents would fail any kind of english language test. They took classes, sure, but when they did, they were like, 50 or something. They live in the USA, and even without English they're doing pretty good. Would that mean that potentially, immigrants from other countries that haven't learnt English for whatever reason be removed from the country? That's just not fair.

Answer 5

I don't think any illegal or immigrant should have to take an english class but I do agree that they should take resposibility for being in our country and learn english. This is mostly on the spanish community because as I work at an organization that brings in tons of immigrants the ones who barely speak english or non at all are hispanic. They are here to live in america and get all the benefits of it so it is stupid to not learn english (besides completely irresponsible) I know people who have lived here for 20 years and still don't know more than a couple important phrases in english. This is not okay in my book and is unfair. If I moved to their country I would learn their language immediately.

Answer 6

Not Necessary for residents or workers. Immigrants usually want to learn English as soon as possible. The various forms and items printed in languages other than English are NOT necessary since immigrants applying for citizenship are the ones that should have rudimentary understanding of English particularly for that purpose. Those that are premanent residents -green card holders- they do not vote- do not have to learn English, though they should for themselves, and most do.
Private businesses cater to their customers, and in some cases these are foreign tonqued immigrants.

Answer 7

Yes, people do choose not to learn english and become social exiles. I am living in Germany, and when I got here, I learned German. I didn't expect all of the local nationals to cater to my whims. I showed respect to the citizens and the country by learning their language. If you move to another country...you learn it's language. That's the way it's done everywhere else. And other immigrant nationalities learn english, too, by the way.

Answer 8

Yes, it should be required to know the English language before you can gain citizenship. When I visited Paris, the they did not like it if you didn't speak french. I learned french before I went and they really appreciate that. I was just visiting. If I went to a country to live, I would learn the language. It should be required.

Answer 9

People who take the time to wait in line to receive a green card, learn English and rights to become an American citizen are not to blame.

It's the illegal people who can jump, run and walk across the border who take advantage of services offered here! Human rights activists and democrats have made it easy for illegals to take advantage of the system.

If you want to live here you should be able to communicate with the people here! English Please!

Answer 10

Six months is not in any way shape or form long enough to learn a language as complicated as english, to any sort of proficient level.

We can't even get high school students who take two years worth of french/spanish. etc etc.. to actually learn anything either.

The beauty of america is that you can learn and do what you want, forcing people to learn a language at gunpoint goes against our principles. Besides, it's not like people CHOOSE to be social exiles and refuse to learn english.