Bus wants new people coming into the USA to learn English

[desert_fox 32]

if you want to work, earn, and suceed here....you will need to learn English. Otherwise, you will limited in your options, unless you want to drive a cab in NYC., or clean bathrooms all your life. Bus is a smart man.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Hmmm... supports both sides... I can see the Democratic party breaking out the flip-flops in 2008.

This is an issue that requires no legislation. The freedom to use whatever language you choose is almost the same as having free rein of what faith you follow.

If people want to get ahead (if they WANT to), they will learn English.

Hmmm... supports both sides... I can see the Democratic party breaking out the flip-flops in 2008...

This is an issue that requires no legislation. The freedom to use whatever language you choose is almost the same as having free rein of what faith you follow.

If people want to get ahead (if they WANT to), they will learn English.

[Ban Hammer 13,347]

speaking English in America...wow, what a concept!

imagine that

[chocolaterie 0]

He also wants people to be able to spell his name. LOL

perhaps Bus is a better desciption..... Large unfeeling vehical, that never runs to schedule and fails the people its ment to serve....

[meauxna 15]

Applicants for citizenship already have to show that they have a basic command of English to pass.

More media whoring for the uninformed.

[Fischkoepfin 1]

Applicants for citizenship already have to show that they have a basic command of English to pass.

More media whoring for the uninformed.

[munchkins 0]

Applicants for citizenship already have to show that they have a basic command of English to pass.

More media whoring for the uninformed.

That is so true meauxna, when my daughter took her citizenship test, she was required to "prove" her command of the english language, She IS english

[j&js 0]

Applicants for citizenship already have to show that they have a basic command of English to pass.

More media whoring for the uninformed.

That is so true meauxna, when my daughter took her citizenship test, she was required to "prove" her command of the english language, She IS english

haha, thats pretty funny!

As far as whether or not it is reasonable to expect immigrants to learn English - I certainly think it is. I mean if you travel around in other parts of the world (I myself can only speak for Europe, but imagine it is the same elsewhere) and see a bunch of American tourists who speak only English and expect others to cater to them, it is thought that they are being obnoxious and egocentric. I know I made it a point to learn at least some basic phrases and make an attempt to speak the language for every country I entered. And that's just for visiting!

If you move to a country, you should learn its language. By all means continue to speak and teach your children your native language, but use the language of the country you are in as well.

[meauxna 15]

Applicants for citizenship already have to show that they have a basic command of English to pass.

More media whoring for the uninformed.

That is so true meauxna, when my daughter took her citizenship test, she was required to "prove" her command of the english language, She IS english

haha, thats pretty funny!

As far as whether or not it is reasonable to expect immigrants to learn English - I certainly think it is. I mean if you travel around in other parts of the world (I myself can only speak for Europe, but imagine it is the same elsewhere) and see a bunch of American tourists who speak only English and expect others to cater to them, it is thought that they are being obnoxious and egocentric. I know I made it a point to learn at least some basic phrases and make an attempt to speak the language for every country I entered. And that's just for visiting!

If you move to a country, you should learn its language. By all means continue to speak and teach your children your native language, but use the language of the country you are in as well.

Oh *please* don't get me started!

Three seasons of working exclusively British tourist resorts in Greece would've led me to believe you were writing about Brits instead of Americans!

Not that Americans aren't guilty, but stereotype much?

[Laura_and_IanM 0]

Hmmm...I would have to say that I agree that if you move to a country that speaks a different language, than by all means LEARN the language of that country. Ignorance is bliss as they say. Then again, I already see American elementary schools catering to the Spanish language. Up until a few years ago, it use to be that the schools in my area didn't start offering a foreign language until the 7th grade. When my oldest son started school a few years ago, he started learning Spanish in 1st grade. Yes, I do believe it is a good idea to instill it at an early age as it is easier to learn then, but why only Spanish? It is explained by the teacher (to me anyway) that the reason they teach them Spanish rather French ,German, or say Italian, is because Spanish is becoming the second language of America. With that being said...where does that leave us?

Laura Mitchell

[Fischkoepfin 1]

I shouldn't really enter the debate, but based on historical precedent all this talk we get from Washington, teachers, and other supposedly knowledgeable people is pointless propaganda. The US is not turning into a Spanish speaking society, in the same way as it didn't turn into an German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, or Jewish speaking society back in the day when everyone was claiming that the heyday of English was over.

How many people do you know in the US who speak those languages natively? And now compare that to the number of people you know who are ethnically in one of the above groups. See what I mean.

As to the Mexican/Spanish debate, I know several families of Mexican-Americans, and the only people in those families who speak Spanish natively are the grandparents. The parents, who are my age, had to learn Spanish in school, and their children are taking Spanish or other languages in school. I'm willing to bet that you find similar developments in modern immigrant families as well.