Do you think learning the English language should be a requirement for immigrants?
473570
Yes, they should.  What gives an individual the incentive to learn English when the government provides everything you need in your language?
594037
I have to say that the Senate's proposal is not too bad. It says that immigrants must pay a $2000.00 fine, work ultimately 12 years here, learn English, and then they can have a chance to take the citizenship test if they choose. I personally dont think it is necessary for them to HAVE to learn English, it would benefit them, sure, but it should be up to each individual. Then they will have to find a way to close off the border. I hate to say that, since it means closing ourselves off, but if something were to happen that opened our borders, I forsee that many people would think it is temporary and rush the border to live here. While we will never completely overload from people, it is better to close off the border to gain some control. They should then make it easier to get a visa. Especially a visa that would let people go back and forth easily. Most illegal immigrants from Mexico dont want to forget Mexico, they want to go back and forth. I think that our government should respect that.
411901
I completely agree with you on everything!  My grandparents had to learn English when they came here, so did all the other immigrants that came at the time they did.  So why shouldn't the Spanish speaking immigrants have to learn it?  Are they too stupid?  Or too arrogant?  Maybe someone else is happy to have their taxes go to some lady that waddled across the border, had her baby here, and now collects welfare "for the baby" but I am not.  I say if they want to be here, go through the legal process, learn the language, and get a job and pay taxes like the rest of us.\n\nAnd oh yeah - while you like in the US, you fly the US flag.  That's another thing - they claim they are so oppressed where they are from, yet they want to wave the flag of where they re from and be "loyal" to where they came from - well they should be loyal to the country that gives them the things their own country won't!
619894
Yes, it's a great idea, we should coordinate with the consulate and all of those organizations to create projects, not only to learn English but also computer skills. \n\nI can tell my group of ex-a-tec to donate time to teach computer skills to immigrants, and I'm sure that some foundation like the Rockefeller Foundation would be happy to donate the computers.
189519
Well, I have some ideas as to why you perceive this to be the case, whether or not it is.  A great many people on the Internet (I do not have IM, so I'm speaking more generally) are using English as a second language.  If they take their time, really carefully compose their sentences, we wouldn't even know that they had not been using English for many years.  Their English teachers would be very proud of them.  But IM goes too fast for that; you have to be quick to keep up with the dialog.  So a non-native speaker who has not been using English very long will start to get incomprehensible.\n\nOf course, there is also some hostility and resentment on the part of some people toward what they feel is an "invasion" from "foreigners."  In any country with a good bit of socialism (housing, medical care, whatever), it is easy to feel that the newcomers are getting preferential treatment over the citizens.  I know this has happened a great deal in England, for example, and to a lesser but still noticeable degree in the US.  This builds up an attitude that anyone from a third world country who tries to learn English is trying to "come over here and use up our scarce resources."  It may or may not be true of a given person, and there's no reason to assume it is true, but the inflated bureaucracy that is in place to "care for" immigrants is horribly expensive, and breeds resentment.
27766
Well, since unlike the immigrants who come here from countries such as Germany, Poland, Hungary, etc, Spanish people are not required to learn English (I guess we really are not created equal, since some groups of people can learn the language and others just are not smart enough)I guess it helps those of us born here, since we have to cater to them.
858019
It depends on the stipulations of the English only rule. From a pragmatic standpoint, it would almost be impossible to enforce a law prohibiting the usage of any other language besides the English language in the public arena. Any law that would attempt to be this far-reaching and intrusive is destined for failure. Yet a law that prohibits the foreign language translations of government documents, and forbids the verbal exchanges in government offices in foreign tongues with respect to government business, I think is easily enforceable and is a good thing. \n\nThis would entail that all IRS forms, DMV forms, INS forms, and any form related to the government at municipal, county, state, or national level be written in English only. Government employees cannot speak to clients in government offices in any other language besides English when they are doing business with the government office (i.e. filing for taxes, getting a drivers license, obtaining residency status, getting a case heard in court, getting treated in a government hospital, etc.). Furthermore, they cannot talk to people who are party to individuals who cannot speak English, who will translate on their behalf.\n\nI think this is a practical approach to preserving the English language and our culture from being obliterated by foreign influences. It is a tough stance that can lead many immigrants in precarious and harrowing circumstances.  However, it is when they are completely shut out like this, that they will be compelled to master, at least, the rudimentary aspects of our language and mores.\n\nIf my parents, and countless generation of immigrants before them, felt compelled to master the English language so they could get their slice of the American dream, others should not be given special privilege from not having to undergo this burden as well.
1134099
Think about it. If you were to emigrate to another country that speaks Spanish, do you think the locals would all learn English just for you? Hell no. They would expect you to learn the country's official language. I don't see why that is such a hard concept for some people to grasp.
431274
In my opinion, it is necessary to study English because English is an international language now. You can learn the development,culture,value of the U.S from their language. You can communicate with others anywher in the world.
628486
i think this should be required as part as their citizenship requirements. this country was founded on english beleifes and the constitution is written in english so why not.
959404
Never.  People who come into the United States ought to learn American English.
1132908
I don't recall there being any article in the Constitution that gives the English language any official status or that guarantees that American citizens should never be subjected to hearing languages other than the majority tongue. If anything, the United States was actually founded to encourage acceptance of diversity. Remember the First Amendment? It guarantees not only freedom of religion but also freedom of speech, and that means not just WHAT you want to say but also HOW (and in what language) you want to say it.\n\nI agree that immigrants should be encouraged to learn English, but not because Americans have some God-given right to never have to hear any language but English. If you're really all that concerned about immigrants who are having a hard time acquiring the English language, perhaps you should volunteer some of your time tutoring immigrants in English.\n\nEDIT: After all, it can take years to acquire a second language. How many years did it take for you to learn Spanish, and how fluent are you in it? That is, are you conversational? Would you be comfortable speaking in only Spanish all day long in every situation? How about when you travel to Mexico? Do you speak Spanish every second you're there, or do you just use Spanish when you have to ask for directions of something and revert back to English when speaking to other Americans you're traveling with? \n\nOr are you perhaps a second or third generation Latina? Did your parents or grand-parents speak Spanish? And if so, why is it that your mother tongue is English and not Spanish? It's amazing how quickly people become assimilated in this country, isn't it? It is admittedly difficult for those who immigrate to this country as an adult to pick up the English language, especially when most of them work long hours, rely on others for transportation, and can't afford college English classes. After all, it can take YEARS to become fluent in a foreign language. Don't you agree? Yet more often than not, the children and grand-children of these immigrants not only learn to speak English fluently but don't even learn to speak their parents' language, which is a shame, if you ask me. In the meantime, it does admittedly take those first generation immigrants a while to pick up the language, so maybe we should be a little more patient and stop being so judgmental. Those of use who have learned to speak a second language fluently realize how difficult a process it can be. If more Americans took it upon themselves to try to learn a foreign language, they might be a little less judgmental.\n\nFYI: French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It is spoken as a first language by people in France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, etc..., but more importantly, it is spoken as a second language in countries where it is the official language or where it has a historical presence, including, but not limited to the following countries: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mauritius, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Tchad, Senegal, Guinea, Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, Burkina-Faso, Cameroun, Ruanda, Burundi, Zaire, Egypt, Guyana, Guadelope, Martinique, Reunion, Corsica, French Polynesia, etc...
18373
I don't think it's being forced on us, it's just that English is not being emphasized as the unifying factor that an "official" language should be. There's no real encouragement for Latinos to learn English anymore. Everything is readily translated for them. It's all given rise to a kind of entitlement mentality. Time was when many immigrants didn't want their children speaking the parent's language outside the home, if at all. They really had a different idea of what it meant to be an American and everyone was on the same page! Sad how times have changed. What was once a rich melting-pot of cultures has now become more of a stew with ingredients that just don't blend. Unfortunately, we've allowed it to get too far along to turn anything back now. Really sad.
404813
immigrants do learn English and those that can apply for legal status do.  you assume that immigrants don't learn English but to learn a new language at an academic proficiency level experts say it takes on average 7 years. for many immigrants maybe they don't reach that level but their children who are educated here in American do much better adapting to the language and the culture here.  as far as applying for a working visa or resident status immigrants must hire a lawyer, find an employer who will back their status request, prove that there job can't be done by an American, pay approximately ten thousand dollars, and wait about 6 years for that status to be approved or denied.  it's not as easy as you might think especially for many illegals who have very little education...
889444
Forced to?  If seeking British citizenship, or permanent residency, then it would be sensible to make having a reasonable degree of fluency compulsory.  If they are temporarily resident and have no intention of making this permanent, then I don't really see the long-term value.\n\nBut the responsibility should lie with the government to provide free appropriate language courses for those who wish to comply.\n\nAs someone who studied another language (French) at university (and German at A-Level), I am in favour of being able to communicate.  Doesn't mean that everyone will find it easy, but proper immersion into a culture and society should facilitate the learning process.
430136
if it isnt your first language, and you live in america, it is important to learn english as your second language because so many every day interactions are in english. many people in this country only speak english, so you would have a tough time if you couldnt speak it-- thats why its better to learn it if you can, to help you function in social interactions.
682123
I think it is a great idea!  We are a nation and we have the right to make an "OFFICIAL" anything.  Other countries have their official language.  We are not saying that you cannot speak other languages, but it should be MANDATORY that anyone who wants to be a citizen, must speak English.