Yes
Should immigrants be required to learn English?
Yes
I think that in order for them to have a full understanding of our society and our history and customs it would be a very good idea to be able to "speak the language". Though english is taught as a requirement in many countries, many still do not speak it. I think it would be importanat for someone who enters this country to at least try to assimilate themselves by becoming familiar with the language.
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I think so.
I would never dream of living in a country where I did not know THEIR language.
No.
They should have the freedom to fail. It should be STRONGLY encouraged that they learn the language. They should understand that their opportunities are severely limited if they do not have good English skills.
But it should not be mandated.
What about the grandfather/grandmother of the clan who will be taken care of by the family at home? It may be difficult for elderly people to learn a new language, and I would argue that it is not necessary or important for them. And that would be only one example.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I think this is the exception to the rule. What burns me, are the immigrants who get very frustrated with US because we can not understand THEM. If you are going to deal with the public in "their" country, by god, you need to learn THEIR language.Originally posted by Aurora Leigh:
What about the grandfather/grandmother of the clan who will be taken care of by the family at home? It may be difficult for elderly people to learn a new language, and I would argue that it is not necessary or important for them. And that would be only one example.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Why should we require immigrants to speak the language correctly when many home grown individuals cannot speak it correctly themselves?Originally posted by cincygreg:
I think that in order for them to have a full understanding of our society and our history and customs it would be a very good idea to be able to "speak the language". Though english is taught as a requirement in many countries, many still do not speak it. I think it would be importanat for someone who enters this country to at least try to assimilate themselves by becoming familiar with the language.
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My thinking is pretty much in line with AL's.
Require - no.
Encourage and provide the means to succeed - yes.
YES!!! I do. If they want to live here they SHOULD speak our language. YES!!!
Since AL and Pina feel differently than the others who have posted, this is directed mostly at them, but anyone with an opinion can reply.
What if I move to a Spanish speaking country? Should I be required to learn the language?
I understand what AL said about the freedom to fail. If I moved to Mexico with my limited Spanish and without unlimited funds, I'd be in big trouble. So I'd have to learn Spanish.
I have a problem with immigrants who come here who refuse to learn the language and demand that accomodations are made for them. Like ballots.
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