Does English as the official language do any good?

Question

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/los_angeles_metro/la-me-parents10nov10,1,6229756.story?track=rss

Note that in California, English IS the official language. The unfairness here is that many many 'free' language services are given to students and family for ESL, butt even standard language classes for our own people have been cut as part of cuts to provide ESL and intervention programs, much of which funding goes to those illegally here. In this case, where poor parents are discussing allocation of dollars for programs to serve the poor, for the Chairman to insist on giving his report, etc in Spanish means the non-Spanish speaking poor are cut with impact speaking English does not create, since we enable English speaking. Many of the people in the Spanish speaking side of the camp have been taught to speak English with our funding. American poordon't have that opportunity.

I think we have better things to fight about than language. Funding is one. Thoughts?

Kurosaki - I know the US doesn't, but this was in California and California does have. I think the 'official language' issue is a distraction that lets politicians pretend they are on one side or the other for the masses while doing nothing that has any real impact on the issue, at all.

fang - compare the budget allocations in LAUSD to those 30 years ago, note which programs have been cut, and where the funding has gone.

summer, I'll reread the 14th. I'm not taking a position that it is or isn't official, nationwide, I just am saying people are being 'bought off' from focussing on what matters by politicians taking 'politically cheap' positions on this issue.

Answer 1

I am horrified. I thought people were paranoid when they say soon we would be pressing 2 for English. THis is our government. This is an educational institution. I was horrified how much we placate those who can't speak English. I was annoyed we don't make it mandatory for all LAUSD employees to speak English. I knew the LAUSD was screwed up, but for it to be this bad. If I had kids, I would go there and demand they speak French in the meetings as well. I would think the School would do what ever it takes to get people to understand the importance of learning ENglish!!! And what gives with teh lawyer statement. I could pay a lawyer to say what ever I want. It's the judge who should decide what is legal or not.

Answer 2

I doesn't do any good when they make it so easy not to have to learn it. They had something here they are going to stop. I can't remember the name of the test but it is a test given to all students in order to graduate. But they made a special one for the Spanish speakers and it was nothing like the standard tests given to the other students. I mean exceptionally dummied down if the student didn't speak English.

That is not fair to the other students who are set at a much higher standard....not to mention we have graduates who probably wouldn't pass 3rd grade if they were held to the same standards. These same students could be competing for college or college grants etc. and aren't even playing in the same ball-park.

I personally believe you speak English and that's it. Otherwise let these people have their own private schools and pay themselves if they refuse to encourage English. We shouldn't be depriving our own citizens of the education they deserve because 1 group doesn't want to abide by the rules and the law.

Ours is an official English state too. Our students are having alot of their programs cut because of the "must speak Spanish" crowd. I don't know about all areas but there are programs here where the student has to pay to participate.....things we got as part of our education for free until they were cut to appease the "bi-lingual" group. It's cutting the needs of the many to serve 1 specific group. I mean enough already. Especially when all those funds are basicly thrown away. If it worked....these kids would be speaking English. If it worked more than 1/2 wouldn't be dropping out. If it worked they wouldn't need "special" tests to graduate. If it worked they would be able to compete equally and not require "special" treatment. This obviously doesn't work and our own kids are paying the price. This isn't "new" people in many cases......some of these kids are 3rd and 4th generation and there's no excuse for that. We have a ton of immigrants from all over the world here.....but the benefits are only geared to the Spanish crowd at the expense of all others.

Answer 3

I believe English should be the official language but in the mean time not dumb down the education for our students. Which has been happening for a while now.
I was picked on a jury, this Mexican fellow ,25 yrs. old, ran a stop light while on cocaine and was suing the guy he hit for medical bills and pain and suffering. Saying the other guy ran the light. Anyway he has lived in the States since he was five, graduated from High School in ESL program. He had to have an interpreter during the trial. I was blown away that he spoke no English. I came to the conclusion they live in their own communities were all speak Spanish so they do not care to learn English. In this situation our tax dollars for his schooling was a real waste of taxpayer money.

Answer 4

ESL has never really made a large impact on the people that it is supposed to help. It is right up there with Ebonics in regards to hurting more than helping.
English has, and will continue to be the preferred language used here in the U.S. and around the business world. Not to mention all of the other English speaking countries.

Bottom line~~~People should not be fighting over what is the official language of, well, anyplace. At the moment we have much bigger fish to fry.

Answer 5

English is the "Official" language of the United States of America. All official documents are written in English and one must learn English to become a naturlized citizen. ESL classes are designed to help those that are seeking to become naturalized citizens to learn to read, write and speak the second most difficult language in the worl to learn. Money is not being siphoned away from langauge classes for U.S. citizens and there is no massive amount going to teach English to illegal immigrants.

Answer 6

DAR, English is not only the official language of the united states, it is our national language. read the 14th amendment. read up on MAIA. type it in the search bar. it means moms against illegal aliens. i ran into that site by accident. there the woman explained our Constitution in plain English. the 14th amendment says we are to speak the language the Constitution was written in and that's English.

Answer 7

English should be the official and the national language here in America ... period!
If anyone wants to immigrate in the US, he should learn English. There's no other option.

Answer 8

This is the future of American. Are these the same people that do not want to fight for their rights in their home countries, but once they come here all of a sudden not only to they want their rights, but others as well. It must be in our drinking water.

Answer 9

About as much good as having border security the official policy of the US government.

Answer 10

if you want mexicans to speak english you need money to force them to speak english if you dont all the mexicans will be speaking spanish all time.