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Should those entering the states attempt to learn the English language so they can communicate better in this country or should the responsibility fall on English speaking Americans to learn their language?
I would expect that if I moved to another country that I'd need to learn their language so I could communicate. It would be my responsibility. I wouldn't expect to put the responsibility on them to learn English.
What brings this to my attention is when I call a customer service dept. I used to be that if you wanted to speak to a Spanish speaking rep, you pressed 2. Now I'm finding more and more times when I call customer service, they are requiring that I press '1' to speak to an English speaking person. I find that odd since I'm calling within the US to a US company. Why am I asked to press 1?
Sure we are a country of diversity and immigrants and that's great and even though the US has never had an official language I feel right now most here speak English. Sometimes I feel that Spanish at some point could become more spoken in this country than English.
The problem in the US is what we lack good immersion programs in this country. Providing English classes twice a week for 1-3 hours is not enough to learn. We complain about foreigners not assimilating to our country, but we don't provide the services needed to do just that. Germany has immersion schools that are very low cost, and supported by the government. Students go to class 5 days a week for several hours a day learning the language and culture of Germany. France has the same program, and so does South Korea for spouses of Korean nationals. We can't we have that? In fact, we don't we have that, being that we are the largest immigrant country on Earth? AFAIK, not a single state has any concrete program on how to deal with integration of foreigners.
I don't believe we should have an official national language as I believe language & culture is something left to the states and territories. I do believe that English should be strongly encouraged, I believe that Federal education grants to Puerto Rico should be contingent on increasing the rate of bilingualism and better English instruction in schools using teacher exchange programs and remote link language labs.
I believe in English Plus rather than English Only.
I don't believe we should have an official national language as I believe language & culture is something left to the states and territories. I do believe that English should be strongly encouraged, I believe that Federal education grants to Puerto Rico should be contingent on increasing the rate of bilingualism and better English instruction in schools using teacher exchange programs and remote link language labs.
I believe in English Plus rather than English Only.
I agree. Save English Only for, you know, England (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are debatable). At least they have a legitimate case to make for English Only. Us? Not so much.
As for Puerto Rico, I think there needs to be better English teaching there. The Spanish have a decent grasp of the English language, more than Puerto Rico does, and Spain is an independent country. That's pretty pathetic.
Should those entering the states attempt to learn the English language so they can communicate better in this country or should the responsibility fall on English speaking Americans to learn their language?
I would expect that if I moved to another country that I'd need to learn their language so I could communicate. It would be my responsibility. I wouldn't expect to put the responsibility on them to learn English.
What brings this to my attention is when I call a customer service dept. I used to be that if you wanted to speak to a Spanish speaking rep, you pressed 2. Now I'm finding more and more times when I call customer service, they are requiring that I press '1' to speak to an English speaking person. I find that odd since I'm calling within the US to a US company. Why am I asked to press 1?
Sure we are a country of diversity and immigrants and that's great and even though the US has never had an official language I feel right now most here speak English. Sometimes I feel that Spanish at some point could become more spoken in this country than English.
Is it beneficial for immigrants to the US to learn English? Absolutely. Should you have to learn another language as a US citizen? No. Should you have to press another button when calling a customer service hotline? Who gives a s***. Those things make you choose from an obnoxious amount of options, the language is the least of it. If Spanish is "1" and English is "2", then you can start ranting.
Quote:
Originally Posted by theunbrainwashed
I agree. Save English Only for, you know, England (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are debatable). At least they have a legitimate case to make for English Only. Us? Not so much.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all have indigenous languages. Save English only England only. If even.
The problem in the US is what we lack good immersion programs in this country.
Do we though?
Quote:
Originally Posted by theunbrainwashed
Providing English classes twice a week for 1-3 hours is not enough to learn.
It's not? Most college courses meet for less than that amount of time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by theunbrainwashed
We complain about foreigners not assimilating to our country, but we don't provide the services needed to do just that.
We offer free ESOL classes and free tutors, but you have to go to the classes. My mom was at a conversational level within 6 months and business proficiency within 2 years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by theunbrainwashed
Germany has immersion schools that are very low cost, and supported by the government. Students go to class 5 days a week for several hours a day learning the language and culture of Germany. France has the same program, and so does South Korea for spouses of Korean nationals. We can't we have that? In fact, we don't we have that, being that we are the largest immigrant country on Earth? AFAIK, not a single state has any concrete program on how to deal with integration of foreigners.
It is good for those coking from another country to learn English, but they shouldn't have to give up their native language.
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