many americans think that we should be bilingual (to speak a second language) why do you agree or disagree
2007-02-13 08:30:47 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Hmm....lets see....this is the United States....an English speaking country....if you can't speak English, then sorry, you should either learn or leave....we can't force you to learn English, but I can bet you will be treated a bit nicer if you learn...I wish we could FORCE English on those who think they can come here and take our tax dollars that we've paid all our lives....
FYI, when I was in high school, we were required to take at least 1 year of a second language to graduate and some colleges require that you have had at least 1 year of a second language to get in....I chose German for 3 years and French for 1....I didn't like the thought of learning Spanish...I don't like that language....no significance to me or my life.....
2007-02-13 08:41:25 · answer #1 · answered by Jen G 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm American, and I took Spanish and French in school. If I am in another country, I will try to speak their language. I think Americans just expect the same from people who come here-that they will try to speak our language.
There have been times that I have been in another country and none of my three languages would work, so we also have realize that just because someone doesn't speak English doesn't mean that they are not educated or even bilingual.
2007-02-13 08:42:05 · answer #2 · answered by DLM 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Americans are somewhat forced to learn a second language. For example, in my high school, we are required to take a foreign language class.
Everyone should learn a second language because....
1) You keep your brain young
2) Better employment opportunities (bc you look smarter)
3) More cultural awareness and reduce racism, discrimination, and stereotypes.
4) Some areas have a large population of other ethnicities that don't speak English
5) Meet new people
2007-02-13 13:01:40 · answer #3 · answered by RWC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think learning a second language is a positive thing. But the US traditionally speaks English, and many people never travel. They have no reason to learn another language unless several non-English speakers decide to move here. Being they came here, I feel they should learn our language; we shouldn't have to cater to them and learn theirs. Forcing a second language is wrong and, even if done, would not be productive.
When I was in high school, the only two foreign languages offered were Spanish and French, neither of which I wanted to learn. I wanted to learn German, and took four semesters of it in college. I taught myself Esperanto. I would also like to learn Cherokee (part of my heritage) and I have even gotten a book on it, but haven't had time to study it yet.
2007-02-13 12:44:11 · answer #4 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Learning a second language might or might not be useful in your future "service economy" job.
But "force" Americans to learn a language? What, is this Nazi Germany? You don't "force" me, or my family, to learn anything.
Besides, we already "force" school children to learn to read and write, and as you can easily see here at Y!A, they didn't all learn that very well.
As with all government programs, we would just throw money at a problem without fixing a damn thing.
2007-02-13 08:44:17 · answer #5 · answered by Gem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FINALLY someone who thinks!!! Everyone thinks "People should learn english (especially American-english)"bu ,t AMERICANS should leran foreign languages!!!! I don't think we should "Force" ourselves to learn a second language, but I think there should be a law for schools to have students take 2 foreign language class, and make it mandatory to take the class! instead of 1 language class and a choice whether to take a foreign language. i would be SO happy if my school offerd Japanese!!! I'm learning French in school, Japanese by myself!
2007-02-13 09:18:02 · answer #6 · answered by 〜ベラベル〜 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If I move to another country where English is not the most common language then I would make and effort to learn whatever language is spoken.
2007-02-13 08:38:44 · answer #7 · answered by PaganPoetess 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've never heard that term. And we don't want to force people its against the law. Its not American. It maybe ok to force someone in another country, I don't know for sure, but Not here in the USA.
2007-02-13 11:38:56 · answer #8 · answered by jrealitytv 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They should add a second language to public school curiculums.
2007-02-13 08:39:58 · answer #9 · answered by NONAME 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I admire people who speak more than one language.
But "force" is totally un-American. Shame on you.
2007-02-13 08:34:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋