Problem with LEGAL IMMIGRENTS not learning English?

Question

The illegal immigration debate is one of widespread controversy and complexity.... but I live in Canada and don't have to deal with that stuff, unless the Russians wanna cross the Bering Strait anytime soon....

One issue I do have with immigration is Legal Immigrents, many of which have earned Citizenships not teaching their childeren English as their first language.

I understand that Canada/USA are both culturally diverse, pluralistic nations where racial/cultrulal diversities and heritages are respected, but does anyone see a problem in our society if we don't try to express the importance of learning English when you come here and teaching English to your children first and not leaving it to the schools and thir ESL programs?

Do people that keep foreign tounges as their preference long after comming here progress or hinder the culture and society that USA/Canada show the rest of the World?

I Love USA: I don't believe I used the word Mexican even once during my question. It was a general question on a wide topic that I wanted intelligent, respectfull thoughts on. I understand that people can have very conservative views on immigration and respect that, but this WASN'T ABOUT MEXICO. You make all anti-immigration people look like rasicts, which I and all intelligent people know they arn't. You're completly full of crap

Answer 1

where did mexico come into the picture everybody?

anyway, yeah i definitely think that legal immigrants should learn english as a way to assimilate into american culture. this doesn't mean that we can't still be diverse. i think people should definitely keep their mother tongue and culture but that shouldn't hinder their being american unless they don't make an effort to participate in american culture too.

and also, remember that even though many immigrants are from mexico because they're our sister to the south, NOT ALL immigrants are from mexico. my parents were immigrants but not from mexico and sometimes i feel like with situations concerning immigration, everyone just thinks about mexico and forgets all those people from other countries!! :[

Answer 2

If I moved to Mexico I would learn Spanish. If I moved to Japan I would learn Japanese. If I moved to Italy I would learn Italian. I think its more of a respect for the country your are living in or vi sting. I would try to learn a tad even if I visited those countries. I know enough Spanish to get by in Mexico, I am a guest in there country I should be accommodating to them. English should not have be to a dominant language in other countries besides the US. I want to have respect for the people and there culture especially when I am there in turf.

Answer 3

I agree with you. If a person wants to immigrate to another country, they should assimilate. There is a huge double standard when it comes to immigrating to America. Can you imagine an American or Canadian woman moving to, let's say, Saudi Arabia demanding the right to drive a car, vote, and not cover her head? It would not happen, and if it did, she would be kicked out or killed. (Though I don't know why anyone would want to move there.) Yes, people that keep their foreign tongues hinder the culture greatly. I am all for diversity - worship, celebrate, participate in any cultural event you want to - but not so that it overrides your adherence to the country in which you live.

Answer 4

I don't think that LEGAL immigrants from Spanish speaking countries have a problem with learning English. But their first language is spanish, so when they are around people that DO speak spanish, OF COURSE they will talk in their native tongue. It think it is a bit foolish to completely stop using the language you grew up with, just because you live in a different country. Imagine moving to China, and you meet a bunch of expats while there. Will you speak Chinese to them? Or English?

One thing I can tell you: With legal immigrants from spanish speaking countries, for the MOST part, either already know english, and can speak it, or are in the process of learning, and need to practice more. I know many many spanish-speaking people who are taking english classes.

I think it is great for people to be multi-lingual, and to teach that to their children as well. Why lose touch with your natural heritage?

Answer 5

Like you, I live in Canada and have some faith in our immigration system. Our points system makes it hard to get in without knowing either English or French. There'd have to be something remarkable about anyone who got in without some of that language ability.

Immigrant parents who speak their foreign language at home give their kids a great gift. That's the only realistic way for the kids to absorb their parents' language and become bilingual. As you know, kids of immigrants learn almost all their English from other kids, teachers and TV; they don't need to hear it from their parents too.

Having lots of bilingual people in Canada makes our country stronger. So it's actually better for immigrant parents to keep speaking their own language at home.

Answer 6

I live in a fairly small town...mostly cowboys and dairy's...we just got an all you can eat Chinese buffet ....that's big time for us...anyway I went with some of my family and the girl wanted to seat us 5 tables back from the food...we had 2 handicapped people with us so I asked to be seated closer to the buffet....there were 4 closer tables....after repeating myself several times and pointing out the can and walker I couldn't make myself clear...the girl had to get and interpreter to find out what I was talking about... ARE YOU KIDDING ME this is America

Answer 7

I live in L.A.. I wonder what everyone here expect me to do? What Am I expect to do. Learn Spanish, Tagolog, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Japanese, German, French, Farsi, Armenian, Russian, Khmer, Hindi, Tamil, Hebrew, Italian, etc...

Answer 8

Not everyone in the U.S. speaks spanish and English is the official U.S. language. It is their duty to learn if they want to stay here not us having to learn their language. It's great to learn a second language but they need to make the first move.

Answer 9

I think that if you live in a country you should be somewhat proficient in that countries language.

Answer 10

Try SPELLCHECK, Mr. Englishlearner.