so many immigrants seem to have little or no understanding of the english language,should the government bring in statutory classes for non english speaking immigrants?
2007-02-18 08:37:03 · 44 answers · asked by FRANCO 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Yes, without a doubt! You can't have a cohesive nation when you can't understand each other! Not only that, but you need to be able to speak and write adequate English to serve on a jury. It is called respecting ones country. If you don't have that kind of respect then you shouldn't become a citizen, PERIOD!
2007-02-18 08:43:09 · answer #1 · answered by hera 4 · 6⤊ 2⤋
i think perhaps a lot of english born and bred need to take the test too. a lot of immigrants speak far better english than the 'natives'. having said that... i do think its important. i did some work with a bunch of immigrant women who had been living inthe UK on average 17 years (over 40 years in some cases) and practically none of them spoke english - altho' most had kids with degrees! every single one of teh women however would have desperately liked to been able to speak english - it was so debilitating for them not to, and having to constantly rely on their kids. it was just a matter or how to do it - some of them felt too old to learn, others didnt know where to go. this was around the time blunkett made this same suggestion and certain communities were up in arms (but as per usual it was only the men that made the noise) all the women wanted to learn - its just about getting the resources to them and amking them accessible. the govt is spending millions on language classes no one attends.... oh i could go on endlessly and often do... but in essence i agree that english ability should be mandatory but am suspcious of how it can effectively be achieved.
end of rant.... x
2007-02-18 08:48:19 · answer #2 · answered by third space 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For scotty 89,
if you want to become a citizen of a country that doesn't speak English you must learn to speak the language before you are granted citizenship. This is as far as I'm aware is the system for all countries.
2007-02-18 11:22:03 · answer #3 · answered by Player 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely not. Encourage them to learn English yes--but not try to force it.
This particular non-issue gets trotted out every few years--usually during periods of high rates of immigration--and if you look behind the rhetoric, you'll find the instigators are anti-immigrant bigots and racists--even though you yourself may not be. Many people get taken in by this nonsense.
Here's the history in a nutshell: immigrants, most of them not speaking English--have been coming to the USA for 2 centuries. No one has ever needed to force them to learn English--they do it on their own at their own pace. And they seem to make fine citizens--including, most likely, some or all of YOUR ancestors.
Leave the immigrants alone and let them adapt in their own way. This is SUPPOSED to be a free country.
2007-02-18 10:40:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
if somebody going to foreign country permanently, I think it's the right thing to do... By this way you also can eliminate people who really deserves to be there... i mean there are many people going to foreign countries and not knowing a word...and also many people who wants to go and speaks the language but can't go coz there are already many people there. If you wanna join to a different community at least you have to try to learn their language...there are also lots of British people in my country who takes my language's lessons... i mean if you want something at least try to learn the language... unless it's just a laziness
2007-02-18 22:05:09 · answer #5 · answered by :( 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure that the test is easy enough for ALL the natural born citizens to pass. Some immigrants have a better working knowledge of the English language than what our public schools produce.
2007-02-18 08:45:34 · answer #6 · answered by Alan S 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Any immigrant who moves to this country should be compelled to have some knowledge of English and be prepared to learn it as soon as they get here. They should also have a skill that is required here and not be able to claim benefits until they have paid into the system.
2007-02-18 09:10:37 · answer #7 · answered by bluegirl 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
YES! Its a great idea so they can learn english. In no way does it discriminate latinos. The roads signs are in english so some level of english is required.
2016-05-24 03:42:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
other countries that speak multiple languages are divided in many ways. I think you should have to speak English to live here.
That is one of the things that makes us united as a country. Speaking many different languages alienates people and divides our country.
2007-02-18 09:27:28 · answer #9 · answered by Cuppycake♥ 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Totally! Not just the language but also the history and culture. Especially the culture! If they get the answers right then they have no excuses then for crying persicution because they will know what we are like before we grant them citizenship. If they get them wrong then - bye bye!
2007-02-18 08:54:05 · answer #10 · answered by L D 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋