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

My father's father Almicare came to the USA from Italy in the late 1920's. He and his wife Josephine got off a ship at Ellis Island. They settled in Bridgeport, CT. He got a job in maintenance at General Electric and worked there until he retired. Almicare and Josephine had two sons and three daughters. The boys, my father and his brother Angelo had to quit school and work so the family could eventually buy the three family house in which they were renting an apartment. My grandfather worked very hard even after his retirement. He always kept a very fruitful garden and made alot of really nice wines. By the time he died in 1972, although he understood a fair amount of it, Almicare spoke no English. I am glad he wasn't deported.

Deporting is to harsh. I do believe that everybody that becomes a US Citizen should be able to read and write english, not memorize it off a card.

Later,
Richard

Legal immigrants are the least of our worries...

Originally Posted by riooso

Deporting is to harsh. I do believe that everybody that becomes a US Citizen should be able to read and write english, not memorize it off a card.

Later,
Richard

I think you mean, "Deporting is too harsh".

Originally Posted by icedog

I think you mean, "Deporting is too harsh".

That's probably why he thinks it's too harsh

I think one should be able, especially when trying to become a citizen of a particular nation, to speak and use the common language of that nation to a functional level within a certain amount of time. Icedog, it is apparent to me that your grandfather to his credit did this. Perhaps he did not speak any at home, and maybe he only knew enough to perform his job, but he was at least functional enough to work for GE. Right? Fluency may or may not come later, but there is no excuse for not putting the effort to become functional in the language. Otherwise where is the evidence one really WANTS to become a citizen, rather than just reap whatever benefits/escape some other nation he or she feels is worse....? Citizenship should be granted only to those who truly desire it, and not those who merely find it convenient or perhaps profitable. Honestly, I believe there are even naturally born citizens who based on their loyalties, should not be-but that is not the law.
Anyone attempting to be naturalized needs to convince the new country of his or her loyalty to, ability to function within, and allegiance to the new country, as it is not always a common thing to give up one's birth nation. It isn't a decision that should be taken lightly, IMHO.

John P.

I have to say I'm an outsider in this, but I think people should learn English when living in the states. English is not hard to learn as a second language.

I'm a French Canadian. Of course my English is not perfect; I sometimes make dumb mistakes, some words I simply don't know even if some kids know them, and my verb tenses are sometimes just wrong. But I can understand people and people can understand me. With daily practice, one can come with a really good English in maybe 2-3 years. Some will learn faster, some slower. I think 5 years to learn English isn't exagerated.

But I still am ****ed when I see people who lived in Quebec for generations and can't even say "Bonjour" or "Merci" right (Hello and thanks).

The title looks rather familiar Where have I seen that before?

Icedog, Your Grandpa was a credit to your family and to this nation! I am also glad he wasn't deported!

I teach undergrad lab in a Major US university, you will be amazed how poor the writing and speaking skills of today's American youth is..
I agree on another hand that everyone needs to know a decent level of written and spoken English. For example the majority of Chinese students that come here have nonexisting English language skills, I wonder how they get good grades on their language tests TOEFL, GRE etc

Originally Posted by icedog

My father's father Almicare came to the USA from Italy in the late 1920's. He and his wife Josephine got off a ship at Ellis Island. They settled in Bridgeport, CT. He got a job in maintenance at General Electric and worked there until he retired. Almicare and Josephine had two sons and three daughters. The boys, my father and his brother Angelo had to quit school and work so the family could eventually buy the three family house in which they were renting an apartment. My grandfather worked very hard even after his retirement. He always kept a very fruitful garden and made alot of really nice wines. By the time he died in 1972, although he understood a fair amount of it, Almicare spoke no English. I am glad he wasn't deported.

In the area where I work there are a ton of old Portuguese guys who speak little or no English. They built half the houses in Toronto and used their wages to build good solid families and one of Toronto's best ethnic neighbourhoods. T. O. would be a d**ned sight poorer without them.

Best Regards

goshawk