Thread: Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English

You know, there are many places in this country where if you were blindfolded and transported there you would be positive you were not in the U.S. Not just ethnic neighborhoods in large cities but entire counties and regions especially areas in the valley region in South Texas and parts of New Mexico and areas in Northern Vermont.

Now the question of the day I have for all of you is this? As a native born U.S Citizen, if you want to relinquish your citizenship, how can you do it? Or can you?

Shoulds and Shalls notwithstanding,
I believe simply if one wishes to be a citizen of a nation, he or she should do whatever possible to allow proper functioning within that society. FAA air traffic control language is all conducted in English, by law, even. Imagine a 747 pilot trying to communicate in (language X) and demanding the overworked air traffic controllers speak his language or get a translator? Bad things could happen. Which I guess is why I'm beating the "functional usage" horse here. One doesn't have to be fluent enough to discuss nuclear physics (unless one is a physicist, perhaps) in English, just enough to get across ideas and comprehend them from others. Fluency would be ideal, but enough to get by would also be fine IMHO. Many people can learn enough of a language to *get by* in a month or two, even though they won't be conversationally capable perhaps. IMHO not being able to use language to at LEAST this level after five WHOLE YEARS seems to indicate a lack of interest in truly becoming a citizen, as it is apparent such people have likely hidden within small communities and avoided being truly incorporated into society.
If I went to Mexico to live for instance, I may never sound like a native, but I would have the decency to 1) not expect everyone to know English and 2) at least continue to attempt the language. Within 5 years I'm pretty sure I would be fluent, even if I had a horrible accent.
Expecting the same from immigrants here is also only fair. It isn't about whether someone should be deported so much as do they *genuinely* want to be a part of this society in the first place enough to be a citizen, and to do so safely?

Just my thoughts, anyway.

John P.

What would motivate immigrants to improve their English knowledge when some times they're capable to do much better than those who do?

What's really important is the willingness to get ahead, and do whatever it takes to be successful in life for yourself and for those who depend on you.

Originally Posted by Navaja

What would motivate immigrants to improve their English knowledge when some times they're capable to do much better than those who do?

What's really important is the willingness to get ahead, and do whatever it takes to be successful in life for yourself and for those who depend on you.

+1....I think.
The first part of your post, I'm not sure I understand, perhaps there are natural born citizens who do not speak English either? I also do not think that is a good thing.
I completely agree with the second part of your post at any rate, and I think it sums up my mindset on this as well.

John P.

Many years ago, when there was a lot of factory work in the US, non-English-speaking immigrants were capable to perform many jobs without having to learn the language. Then, communities of different nationalities were formed, providing all kind of services, food stores, etc.
Look what happens in Miami, for example, there's no need to speak English to be successful, on the other hand, people speaking only English may be at a disadvantage.
Only the next generation brings the benefits of a bilingual society.

I see what you mean. It is possible for people to grow up in their own communities and never have to speak English, but such is only a good thing if those people do not leave the communities. Is it good for them to be bilingual? Of course. On the other hand, I feel ifa nation is to be cohesive, and truly a nation, there has to be a commonality at some point also. There are servicemen and women from those same areas in Miami, for instance just as there are some from, I don't know, Chicago, who do not use English much at home. They still use it when interacting with other Americans, and it is to their advantage. This is all I see would be necessary. I don't care if you speak Swahili or ancient Greek in your own home or in private conversations with friends, so long as you are able to interact in the language the majority of the country speaks to a functional level also. It might be helpful for others to learn a foreign language, also, but it will DEFINITELY be helpful to the immigrant to add English to his or her repertoire if it is not already there. Most Americans, as you probably already know, already have to take one to two years of a foreign language before graduating High School. When I was there, my school only offered Latin, French, and Spanish. I took Spanish, but for the first year we were taught Castilian Spanish, and then the teacher for the second year was from Costa Rica and pronunciations, etc. changed dramatically; at any rate, unless one is in a position to be able to *use* this language and talk to people, it rapidly becomes forgotten. Which is why I think immigrants should interact not only with those who speak their original native tongue, but run-of-the-mill Americans as well. It works both ways. Still, that's another topic in itself.


John P.

My wife and in-laws immigrated from Korea in the 70's. Even though Korean is her milk tongue, her english is much better.

My in-laws both speak workable english.

Here's what a great country we live in. In 30 years, they went from picking onions in LA to owning a small business (convenience store, what else?) and retiring in comfort. They live pretty simply, but they have enough. My Father in law was a ROK Marine in Viet Nam, a taxi driver in Seoul, assistant to an OB-GYN and who knows what else. He had to quit school at around fourth grade to support the family when his father gambled the farm away.

Originally Posted by JMS

Isaac is from Texas, lives in New York, and is now in Tucson!

Isaac will correct me where I am wrong I'm sure!

Correcto Mundo

They need to know English and here is a good start...and good reason to know English

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