English as the Official Language

Folks,
read that JoCo is implementing an immersion class of English-Spanish, Spanish-English and feel this is such a waste of well needed resource, and a disservice to all.

Every successful person I know, whom came from a different country has learned English. Whether they were in business or in the military, they learned English, and used it as the dominant language in business and day to day dealings.

It's long past time that English be established, by law, as the single official language of the USA.

It seems that if one expects to assimilate in the society in which he has chosen to live, then he should be expected to speak the dominant language.

When in foreign countries, I attempt to speak the local language. Granted that my Spanish and French speaking abilities are rusted, I still respect the local tongue.

I can think of so many ways that adopting English as the official language would benefit many.

 

I was just telling someone the other day, that if we were to move to Spain, or Paris, or anywhere else that a foreign language was spoken, we'd be expected to learn it. I highly doubt that the cereal boxes would be half english.


Welcome to America..............Now speak English!!

 

Make that your next week colum Jen.

 

You know what really gets my goat about this whole English/Spanish thing? Take a peek at the classifieds sometime and notice how many receptionist and front desk type job ads are saying "bilingual REQUIRED" these days! :evil:

 

I have 7 children from EE countries. None spoke english when they came here. NO classes were given to them. We allowed them to speak their native language the first month home and then did total immersion in english as that is our language in this country. They are all fluent in english now(not syntax or grammar totally but getting there) w/ the exception of the two that just arrived home 3 months ago. When I lived overseas for 3 years in Germany, I became fluent in German. When I go to other countries, I respect their language and learn as much as I can when I go. I think the same needs to be done in this country. When you have to learn the language to survive as myself ands my kids did, you will learn it quickly. However, if you are allowed to continue in one language while learning the other, it hinders the process. I agree, it should be english. It is annoying every time I call and they ask spainish or english. Hello...we are in America and do speak english here. Just as when I travel to other countries, I do not expect them to speak english and do what I can to learn their language and their country's culture.

Don't mind the classes but do really think when people come here, they need to learn the language. I would expect nothing less as I"ve done this with my entire family in learning english.

Take care,

Stephanie.

 

Felicidades and way to go Stephanie!

 

If I were going to a country to live and work, I have the decency and respect for the people to learn at least a conversational form of the language and I expect the same in return. I just recieved a flyer from a trade supplier for a new piece of equipment and it was English on one side and Spanish on the other. I'm sending it back with a note to never send me anything with Spanish on ever again and if that meant removing me from their mailing list, so be it. As for the bilingual thing, my wife hadn't been able to find a job because she's not bilingual. She's 55 and I don't expect her to go back to school just so she can talk in her own country! I'd better stop before I start screaming.


Mike

 

I so totally agree here, I don't speak any other then my own. My daughter wants to learn spanish, and I'm sure she will cause in school now you have to learn. I have a few at work that are willing to teach me how to speak spanish and I'm like nope not interested. I don't tell them why. My bestfriend speaks it very well..and I still won't learn. Her husband is mexican and I like him alot, but I feel he should learn english, but he doesn't know it well.
Rush

 

This program is meant to help all students learn a second language, not just Spanish speaking students. Half of the classes will be in English and half in Spanish. Half of the class will be English speakers and half will be Spanish speaking. Research shows that younger students exposed to a foreign language will learn it quicker. Like it or not we are in a bilingual society. For our children, they are going to have to know a second language. Why not start it in Kindergarten? I think the program sounds great! It's not just to assimilate Hispanics, but meant to be for all.

 

...And, if you go to another country like France, Spain, Italy, the majority of the people DO speak English. Unfortunately for the Mexicans who come to our country, they are not afforded the same luxuries in their school systems as our children are. Therefore, they aren't taught a second language like in most countries. We in the US seem to feel our language is superior, and everyone else should just learn it. We have to make an effort just as they do. And yes, I do think that Mexicans also need to learn more English. But, I also think we need to have more programs to help them out.

 

:roll:

 

Who is going to pay for it

Why Spanish? Why not Korean, German,Japanese, Russian, or some other language.

If these people are truly Mexican maybe their own Government should pay for it. If they are here legally great, learn English and pay all the things that we pay and then they are welcome to stay and enjoy our freedom and liberties. If they are here illegally, then get out!

 

Many school districts do just that if they have enough fluent speakers of the language. Those that do not usually have a singular version where the class goes to the coutry for a short period to immerse themselves into the language.


I personally, see such a program as a win-win situation. Every student is required to take a foreign language to enter college and there is no better way to learn a language at an older age than immersion. There are a growing number of students who are also not fluent in English, thus they are in an immersion class all of the time. The difference is that teaching someone your language also helps you to learn theirs better, both English and Spanish. Thus, there is a benefit from both sides of the classroom. I know I remember little of my high school French, but I do remember every bit of the French I learned in kindergarten. I expect I would have retained mor eif I had learned to think in the language rather than just translate it, but we had no way to immerse ourselvesto force such a change.

 

Let me Break it Down

This is the United States of America. We speak English. Why are we spending tax dollars teaching somebody whose language is not English?

 

I suppose the same reason we have four years of English in the curriculum for those who supposedly speak the language, to educate them about that language. Unless we are supposed to teach only that which is already known.

 

Way more than that

Kids in the public schools get more than 4 years of English. Our moral duty is to educate American citizens and legal residents. If a child does not speak English than perhaps they should seek a private education.

 

So all legal residents speak English and all illegal residents do not? The original post was dealing with the education of both Spanish and English not just English, which is still a non-issue unless the first question is proved to be true.

 

http://www.newsobserver.com/152/story/554051.html
English-Spanish pilot program OK'd

From Staff Reports

SMITHFIELD - Johnston County's first dual language immersion program will start this fall with a pilot English-Spanish program at Selma Elementary School.

The Johnston County school board approved the program Thursday.

The program would start with two kindergarten classes and add grades each successive year. About 20 Spanish-speaking students and 20 English-speaking students would participate in each grade level. Students would take half of their classes in English and half in Spanish.

 

Great Use of Tax Dollars

Gee and to think this is why I get up and leave the house to kill something and bring it home. Now in Johnston County we are officially a two language county. Maybe further tax dollars can be spent to ensure Spanish is everywhere. We would hate to upset a group of people that care so little about our county that they refuse to teach their children our language before coming here.

 

someone in my office thinks that we need to learn basic spanish words and the date to help out our hispanic customers and employees.. every day there are 3 new words and the date ... maybe she should have that the other way around and post it in the breakroom so that our hispanic employees and customers can learn english. One of my salespersons comments was this...

Why did they come to America? Because its the land of Opportunity. Well, here's your opportunity to learn english, git to it.

Told him I couldnt' have said it any better... so every day on the co-workers little sign that she posts for us all.. I add "aprenda el inglese" (learn english). Hey.. I know, why don't all the hispanics to go France or Italy and see how quick those countries are to start speaking spanish. :mrgreen: