One nation, not just speaking English

[David97230 0]

While living over seas I taught English, Why.. because that is what everyone wanted to learn.. Why.. World business and better jobs.. In the Business world English is the language used all over the globe. The Internet is approx. 85-90% English, I don't hear Spanish spoken in business, some German, some French however the European countries have been taught English since the 4th grade and up. (someone please correct me on that only if you know for sure).

I don't have a problem with our teachers teaching some other language in our U.S. schools, however make sure the student is First fluent in English (our native language) and from what I hear from our current school system around this country is: 'its going to take a lot of work just to get our children to a 12th grade level of English.' Next, make the second language one that will be beneficial to the student and the world.

When I was over seas, I had to learn the language in the foreign country I was in, so should everyone whom is entering America learn English.

Then they will be bilingual and they will get that better job... right..?

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Wow! Sen. Obama can I get you nachos with that sombrero... Gsss...

His nose is buried in arses for votes!

[Niels Bohr 72]

English is also the standard for science. If the US wish to be more competitive in math, and science then English is the way to go! That girl is probably a looser for not even understanding this concept.

[Heracles 417]

i really don't think politicians have to do anything with the spanish signs at the walmart.. i think that's the corporations itself.. or what, would you make other-than-english signs illegal in private owned businesses?

Actually they have a lot to do with it. These sort of things need to be regulated. The country was founded for the people. Not for corporations.

Edited July 11, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[Steve Y Jessica 1]

Not to mention, I know in California. It is law to print some government forms in other languages. This is a waste of our tax money.

[Heracles 417]

While living over seas I taught English, Why.. because that is what everyone wanted to learn.. Why.. World business and better jobs.. In the Business world English is the language used all over the globe. The Internet is approx. 85-90% English, I don't hear Spanish spoken in business, some German, some French however the European countries have been taught English since the 4th grade and up. (someone please correct me on that only if you know for sure).

I don't have a problem with our teachers teaching some other language in our U.S. schools, however make sure the student is First fluent in English (our native language) and from what I hear from our current school system around this country is: 'its going to take a lot of work just to get our children to a 12th grade level of English.' Next, make the second language one that will be beneficial to the student and the world.

When I was over seas, I had to learn the language in the foreign country I was in, so should everyone whom is entering America learn English.

Then they will be bilingual and they will get that better job... right..?

I have spoken with teachers who are dealing with 10 year old kids (5th grade) who were born in America yet do not speak one word of English. when I first heard that I thought they were pulling my leg. How bloody stupid do you have to be not to pick up on the language of a country you are born and living in. They said they have a class of these types of kids in the 5th grade alone #######..

Edited July 11, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[pedroh 21]

it's not a fact about stupidity, there are only spanish speaking areas, unfortunaly with parents that don't send their kids to school or do it too late... it's not just a smart or not issue..

While living over seas I taught English, Why.. because that is what everyone wanted to learn.. Why.. World business and better jobs.. In the Business world English is the language used all over the globe. The Internet is approx. 85-90% English, I don't hear Spanish spoken in business, some German, some French however the European countries have been taught English since the 4th grade and up. (someone please correct me on that only if you know for sure).

I don't have a problem with our teachers teaching some other language in our U.S. schools, however make sure the student is First fluent in English (our native language) and from what I hear from our current school system around this country is: 'its going to take a lot of work just to get our children to a 12th grade level of English.' Next, make the second language one that will be beneficial to the student and the world.

When I was over seas, I had to learn the language in the foreign country I was in, so should everyone whom is entering America learn English.

Then they will be bilingual and they will get that better job... right..?

I have spoken with teachers who are dealing with 10 year old kids (5th grade) who where born in America yet do not speak one word of English.

First of all how bloody stupid do you have to be not to pick up on the language of a country you are born and living in.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I think we need to stop the stereotype of all Europeans speaking perfect English they learned in school. True, they were forced to learn it in school, but false that they can all speak it well, if they remember anything at all. I could count on my fingers all the Germans I knew over there that could get beyond the most rudimentary level of conversational English, the kind of conversational skills in a foreign langauge Obama was apparently embarrassed of. That was fine for me though because it really forced the issue of me learning German better. Language is use it or lose it, fast.

Does that mean it was a complete waste of time? No. Generally learning another language includes lessons on the cultures of native speakers, so even if you forget every word of English or Spanish or Mongolian, you'll still have had some exposure and insight into how people in other parts of the world do things.

I do think kids need exposure into a second language starting in kindergarten. It doesn't have to be Spanish though.

Edited July 11, 2008 by Wacken

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

What on earth could be wrong with learning another language. It can only be a good thing. And since that there are so many spanish speakers in the US, it would be a language that could be of immediate practical use to those that do learn it. I'm moving to L.A. and I fully intend to learn some Spanish. But saying that, I think that learning any language brings a lot of understanding of other cultures, and helps you to see other peoples point of view in a deeper way.

Also Obama's point was that those that move to the US will inevitably learn a degree of english just from living in an English speaking country. Yes there are exceptions, but most do.

Finally those companies that use Spanish signage are simply responding to mardet forces. The US likes to pride itself on it's free economy, and doesn't like commie style regulation - well that works both ways. If Walmart thinks it will bring in more $$ to put up signs in Spanish then they will do it. And if people can make their lives workable without English, then they might not learn English.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Correction: The US economy is not entirely a Free-Market economy. Don't misunderstood. It's still being controlled by the Feds and SEC. If it was a free-market, then cartels (similar to monolopy) should be legal in the US.

English is the international standard for science (FACT). Where is there a language that describes acceleration, velocity, speed, meters, grams, etc? It's good if you're using the language to socialize. It's bad if they have papers that are written in English to educate science to these Spainish-speaking people.

I think Spainish is good for passive use, not active use.

[Fandango 1,439]

Either we're going to promote bilingual commerce to appeal to the global community, or we have to learn Spanish to be more marketable in our own country. Those are two separate tangents.

Those are two different things.

For instance, Anyone going into the international biz field should learn Chinese, not Spanish.

I think people SHOULD learn a second language. But for it automatically to be Spanish simply because there are those in America who refuse to speak English is wrong. I look Hispanic. I lived in Miami. People would automatically come up to me and start speaking Spanish. Or they'd call my work and just start rattling off in Spanish. Now at the time, I could just muck thru a simple convo...but when many heard 'I only know a little Spanish, do you speak English?' they'd actually get annoyed and walk away/hang up the phone. I have to say, I resent that.

However, what being bilingual has to do with keeping kids from already dropping out is beyond me. And the whole 'brotha/rapper' comments are quite condescending.

Edited July 11, 2008 by Happy Bunny

[Niels Bohr 72]

Everyone should learn another language to being able to communicate with a foreign country. However, we cannot replace English as the primary language we use here in the workplace.

Me: Fluent in Cambodia, English

Experiences: 7 years of French

I'm not complaining that Cambodia or French should be the primary language. I just understand the when, and the where to use those languages. English is still my dominant language.

[pedroh 21]

we also have consider.. while some people refuse to learn english.. some of then can't, and some of them are not allowed to.. when does a person who works 70-80 hours a week has time to go learn english?

[Niels Bohr 72]

we also have consider.. while some people refuse to learn english.. some of then can't, and some of them are not allowed to.. when does a person who works 70-80 hours a week has time to go learn english?

It's understandable that the person has no time to learn English. But, we cannot have two goods things at once. There's a choice to sacrifice hours to learn English, or not. For growth, it's best to sacrifice a two year to learn English.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

Everyone should learn another language to being able to communicate with a foreign country. However, we cannot replace English as the primary language we use here in the workplace.

Me: Fluent in Cambodia, English

Experiences: 7 years of French

I'm not complaining that Cambodia or French should be the primary language. I just understand the when, and the where to use those languages. English is still my dominant language.

i speak english, american, canadian (western), australian...........

Edited July 11, 2008 by charlesandnessa