Should immigrants who enter the U.S.A be made to learn english if the want to reside here?

Answer 1

No, it's a free country. But it doesn't mean that the services they need should be provided for them in any other language than English. Don't force it, encourage it.

Answer 2

I lived in Germany for 13 years, I either had to learn the language or be ignored by the Germans, but I am the type of person that wants to know what is going on so I decided I would learn the language so I would know what was being said. Because of this I speak, read and write German as well as my native English language.
I have no problem with those speaking a different language doing so in as long as they can speak English and do so in public unless they are speaking to a friend and want to keep what they are saying between their selves. I also think it is good and great if they teach their children both languages.
But the business language of the US America is ENGLISH and they must conform to this.

Answer 3

Should you be made to learn to use a computer when you go to work? Should you be made to learn to use a milk carton if you buy milk?

I think it's up to the person. If you want to thrive in an English-speaking community you are probably wise to pick up a few words. But if you don't need it to survive or even prosper then why waste the time? Similarly from above, if you want to work there and must use a computer then you will. Otherwise you'll find another job. And the answer to the second will decide whether you have milk or orange juice with breakfast. :-)

Answer 4

They do have to learn at least a minimal amount of English to pass the test.

Language is a generational thing and it has been in the history of immigration to America. The first generation tends to live in "ghettoized" areas and speak their native language. The next generation begins to assimilate and the third generation is usually fully assimilated.

That's the way it has always worked and it seemed to be just fine. We're taking the illegal immigration problem and applying those issues to legal immigrants.

Answer 5

OMG!!! I didn't expect to see (read) that much amount of xenofobia in here... Anyways, English was not made by US people you knew that, didn't U? because I read some answers like "assuming it"
No one should force any one to do anything... What do you think culture is made of??? Free will is an amazing value, but is also a huge responsability.
Us just like any other country in America, was made of inmigration, and culture is made DAY by DAY with the whole society making of things... I know is not the same, but there are societies who have accepted a language change or mixing because of US will (Pto Rico i.e.) and I personally think that Ur goverment is the one who has to take care of inmigrants, and their rights of communicating freely... More than an obligation , it should be a right of inmigrant ppl.

Answer 6

Absolutely not....

Why not require they be Christian too? that would solve tons of problems...

If you want to require English for residence only then make guido in Nuu Juiwzee learn to speak proper English first. Him and his family's family have been here for decades and at one point came illegaly....lets fix it all or shut up.

Now citizenship is different....Then ur talking about wanting to be citizen of the US and in which case you should know English.


PS I have NO problem with all documents and signs and school classes be in ENGLISH only....

Im just saying you cant FORCE anyone to know enlgish...
Try making sure more than 6% of High school seniors can find Massachussets on a map first eh?

Answer 7

Yes, I think anyone wanting to live here and call it home should be able to speak the language.

I'm originally from England (moved to US a couple of years ago) and it used to annoy lots of people there that immigrants would come into the country and not bother to learn the language.

My parents retired to Spain several years ago but learnt the language before they did so they would be able to converse in Spanish.

Surely we shouldn't 'expect' the country to which we move to speak our language as we can't be bothered to learn?

Answer 8

Yes, they should learn to speak english......but why should they learn when they have translators all over the place......they even have the Press 2 for Spanish thing going on. They also have their own cable stations. Pretty soon the street signs will be written in Spanish too!

Answer 9

Absolutely, it's the official language of the US. I have no problem at all with them retaining the language of their original country. Actually I think it's great when people are multilingual. However, with English being the official language of the US then ALL official government related documents should only be printed in english also (i.e. driver's license tests, voting ballots, etc.) Especially driver's license tests-after all, all the signs are in english.

Answer 10

Well, actually they're supposed to in order to become a citizen.

Other than that NO. Why force somebody? I now plenty of immigrants that don't speak english (not hispanic either).

We shouldn't cater to them not learning english either (e.g. no ESL in schools).

From a practical matter, having some signs in Spanish is ok.
And private enterprise should be able to do what they want to serve their customers.

Answer 11

In a free society--no one is "made" to do something that is optional. If people don't want to learn English, they choose to live a markedly constricted life in the US--with little opportunity for advancement. I believe if given the option, most choose to learn English.