Ask Any Question

Is it better for immigrants to learn English or for Americans to learn a second language?

Peace through blinding force - 2009-09-07 06:52:10 - Immigration

Specifically, if there were competing proposals for using the force of LAW to promote one, which would you prefer to see: a) Immigrants must learn English. b) American citizens must learn a second language. If you prefer "neither," as many of us do, please select one of the above as sort-of your "next best." With which major party do you more closely identify?

Best Answer:

A. If I immigrated somewhere else, I would not expect everyone to cater to me. I would do my best to learn their customs and language. I expect others that come here to do the same...adjust to our customs and language. They did the moving...not us

Answers:

A. any party that serves free food.

i think if you move to america then you should know english think about it should all of america bendover backwords for a few peole no in america the majority rules

I answer A I personally believe that every immigrants should/must learn the language of the country they move to.Regardless of which ever country it may be. If I were to move to another country I wouldn't expect them to have to learn mine just so " I " could function in their society.I would expect it to be my responsibility because "I chose" to move to "their" country(language). I don't think it's right that "Americans" should have to pick 1 for English,2 for Spanish.This country is based on the english language. Yes we are the land of the free and all immigrants are welcome.But why should we have to learn their language for "them" to function in our society.

When in Rome, do as the Romans so A Learning a second language is a part of most school curriculum. Although America doesn't have an official language, there are 30 states that have adopted English as their official language. Alabama (1990) Alaska (1998) Arizona (2006) Arkansas (1987) California (1986) Colorado (1988) Florida (1988) Georgia (1986, 1996) Hawaii (1978) Idaho (2007) Illinois (1969) Indiana (1984) Iowa (2002) Kansas (2007) Kentucky (1984) Louisiana (1807) Massachusetts (1975) Mississippi (1987) Missouri (1998) Montana (1995) Nebraska (1920) New Hampshire (1995) North Carolina (1987) North Dakota (1987) South Carolina (1987) South Dakota (1987) Tennessee (1984) Utah (2000) Virginia (1981, 1996) Wyoming (1996)

Both it helps immigrants a lot if they learn English as it's spoken in many places, but it's also good that for Americans to learn a second language has they have better job opportunities and it's good to learn someone else culture.

Learning a second language isn't like learning how to tie your shoelaces. It is very difficult for some people to acquire a second language. I used to tutor students who were trying to learn French and so I know just how tough it can be for even the most studious and well intentioned.

A. If I immigrated somewhere else, I would not expect everyone to cater to me. I would do my best to learn their customs and language. I expect others that come here to do the same...adjust to our customs and language. They did the moving...not us

We should never be for forced into learning a second language just to accommodate immigrants. If they wish to succeed in this country then they should learn our language, laws and customs. Otherwise they are not immigrants but rather invaders bent on conquest by corrupting us from within. That does not mean that I am against learning other languages. I've studied both German and Spanish but that was from choice not necessity.

"a)" So how many "second" languages would Americans have to learn in order to be able to communicate with all immigrants? Makes more sense for immigrants to learn the common language and abide by the societal norms of the country the immigrant moves to, then require those the immigrant will be living among to become just like the folks they left back home. Would you really want Americans to become just like the folks back home? Think about it. We, Americans, have a tendency to take things to extreme, such as tolerance. Think of all the little things that are acceptable here which would end your life elsewhere. That said, there is nothing wrong with Americans learning another language, as long as it is voluntary and not mandated or forced. As a matter of fact it is a good brain exercise to learn a different language as well as to learn our own language better. Just don't expect most of us to become experts at the other language unless we decide to immerse ourself in it by moving to where it it commonly spoken. Let's change that old saying from "When in Rome do as the Romans do", to "When in American, do as Americans do." The vast majority of Americans are a much better people then we are often given the credit of being, just don't expect us to be doormats or you will have the rug pulled out from under you. We encourage those who want to become one of us, we tolerate those who want to live among us, but not become one of us, and we don't tolerate those who live among us and want us to change into becoming just like the folks they left back home. To the last group we say "If home is where your heart is, home is where you should go." A Common Language Makes A United people.

Very well said GG924. I hope u get 10 points 4 this.

The immigrant should develop a basic skill in English. I am in California and it is nearly criminal the amount of resources that are wasted in making materials and classes available in all the second languages that are used by immigrants here . We have Spanish and Chinese and Vietnamese and so on. And they waste money to teach classes for these languages. This is part of the reason that California is at the top of the list in amount spent to educate each student but at the bottom for the quality of the education received. We can't bend over backwards for everyone without eventually falling over backwards

it is already in the law for immigrants to assimilate, too many laws are not enforced though. All of our official documents are in English and immigrants are coming to "our country"! which means they should assimilate to our language of English. Illegal aliens should not be present here and are usually the ones who refuse to assimilate. Neither party, I am an independent!

When in Rome. English is the language of business. Anyone wanting to live in an english speaking country needs to speak english,it is the least they can do.

-if you move to Japan, you must learn Japanese -if you move to Germany, you must learn German -if you move to Greece you must learn Greek why cant it be the same with America? if you move to AMERICA you must learn ENGLISH, learning a second language is a personal choice, but if you want to integrate in the country you immigrated to, you must learn the language.

if you move to russia, will they all learn a 2nd language for you? if you live here learn American. speak the language. i am so sick of immigrants expecting Americans to speak their language, i've quit trying to communicate with them.. it's amazing how much they actually speak understand when they have to.

Immigrants must learn English, as our ANCESTORS did. I am Independent