tina from kansas wrote on Feb 8, 2007 2:27 PM:I am currently enrolled in college and one of my assignments is research of bilingual education and the process in politics and how it benefits or hinders the economy. I would have to say that bilingualism is a much needed aspect of our country and the education does not hinder anyone. It helps to prepare children for the future and what will someday be a government involving multi-cultural and well educated people. Proposition 227 is an outrage and should never have been put into effect. This proposition allows for the government to decide what is okay for our children to learn and how to learn it. As parents we should be the ones deciding that not the politicians. Bilingual education in any school is helpful and teaches future generations to help one another and to be able to understand other cultures other than their own. I am a parent of an 8 and 5 year old. My 8 yr old daughter comes home from school everyday talking about a new word she learnt in Spanish and wanting to teach it to me. She has already learnt sign language, why not learn a different language other than her own?

Richard wrote on Feb 22, 2007 7:58 PM:I grew up in Montreal, QC. I was forced to learn French and English at the same time from Kindergarden until High school graduation. I actually feel as though learning two languages at once, is the reason why presently in college I have problems with my sentence structure. going through the beginning of high school I would actually use both languages at the same time in conversation, making it difficult for other to follow along in the conversation.

Robin wrote on Jun 21, 2007 9:28 PM:I was forced to take French in the 5th and 6th grade but I voluntarily took Spanish I and II as a freshman and sophomore. I don't see anything wrong with bilingual education. A lot of people complain because of immigrants who cannot speak a word of English. Then again, they are the same people who complain about bilingual education. If you want them to speak English then teach it to them and they will speak it.

Tina in MO wrote on Jul 5, 2007 8:18 PM:"If you want them to speak English then teach it to them and they will speak it." (quoted from Robin, June 21, 2007) I beg to differ! Many of the Latino immigrants who do not speak English do so by choice. They want to maintain their native languages, and even want the country to adopt Spanish as an official language. They have had the opportunity to learn the language, and many know it quite well and simply choose not to use it.

Meredith wrote on Aug 9, 2007 4:20 PM:Robin wrote: "If you want them to speak English then teach it to them and they will speak it. " It is not our responsibility to teach them English. If you move to another country that is not English speaking do you expect them to teach you their language.I personally do not want to spend anymore money teaching people that do not speak English to speak English.

Me wrote on Aug 16, 2007 5:23 PM:If you come to America then you should know and use English.

Tonya from Indiana wrote on Aug 24, 2007 5:12 PM:My personal opinion on this subject of bilingualism is as follows.... I feel that if come from another country you should at least respect the country that you are going to by learning their language. In our community there are many Hispanics moving in or around the surrounding areas. They speak very little English and it is now being said that Spanish will be forced on our children because of this. I feel that if we live in an English speaking country, we should not be forced to learn another language. They choose to come here so therefore they should be forced to learn our language.

Jose wrote on Sep 13, 2007 8:37 PM:Being forced is a very strong word to use. Bilingualism helps everyone understand the diversity that America brings. You may feel it is unfortunate that our children are learning a second language. But the way the global economy is moving it is nice to know our children are reaping the benefits of learning a second language and of different cultures. As well as being able to communicate with other ethnic groups. Children who learn a second language have more opportunities to travel abroad and take in the world. While others still may have the opportunities to do the same they may not be as accepting of different cultures having not been immersed in a second language. Knowledge is power and learning knowledge in a different language is even more powerful for our children.

Reardon wrote on Sep 13, 2007 9:16 PM:To Tina: You are in college and write the term "learnt?" Forget bilingualism, learn English first!

am wrote on Sep 27, 2007 6:08 PM:I feel that when comming into America, as a immigrant, you should learn and use English. If an American were to go to another country, we are expected to know there language and background. Not to mention we have to pay to learn there language as they do not have to in America. It is only right to respect the country by atleast knowing and understanding our language.

Jessica wrote on Oct 2, 2007 2:44 PM:I think that if you are in America you should speak English and only English. If you know other languages keep them to yourself. Only speak them in your home because it is rude to speak them in front of others.

Fallon wrote on Oct 4, 2007 9:34 PM:Richard, I find that very interesting. You brought up a different side that has never been discussed. Taking dual language programs in elementary school actually confused you. This aspect should be researched further to see if forcing dual language programs on children as early as kindergarten will birth new problems later in their academic growth.

Michael wrote on Oct 11, 2007 5:42 PM:I am all for diversity in this country and I respect everyones differences in culture, customs, and heritage. However, I do feel that Foreign Americans should be made to learn the english language to a proficent level that they can manage to get through the day when dealing with English speaking Americans without having to ask someone to translate. Fact should be they should learn it before being allowed to become citizens of the United States. I see nothing wrong with learning another language though I feel it should be by choice not because of some cirriclulum. English immersion seems to be the best option over bingual education. The main language in the U.S. is English and any Foreign American citizen should know the basics at least. Would they not expect the same of us if we were to go to their country?

jamie wrote on Oct 14, 2007 5:21 PM:I know how Americans feel when foreigns come to our country to live and they do not know how to speak language. So how do you think they feel when we go to their country and we do not speak their language but English. I say that when kids start high school if they want to learn a different language then let them but do not force it upon them. When they get older than they can choose to learn a different language if they want.

Marie wrote on Nov 8, 2007 6:27 AM:I do not think that many of the commentators here could have possibly learned a second language or experienced the great opportunity of leaving the country. Of course, people expect that you speak their language when you are in their country or at least attempt it. Given that Americans are known for not knowing or attempting another tongue, it gives us the fuzzy image of being cold and uncaring. An image embellished by our work in Iraq. I believe people should learn English when they are here and should have the opportunity. In addition, I believe they should have the social grace and patience that I had in Spain to learn the native language. I am a firm believer that children should be exposed earlier to another language. Not only does it cultivate respect for other countries and open up another perspective of the world, but it develops another aspect of the mind that the regular curriculum does not touch. Children are language learning machines. It is given that it is more difficult for an adult to learn a second language, which I know because I am an adult learner. A child exposed to the language has a great foundation that can be built upon by choice in high school or later on. I see nothing but advantages for a child exposed to a curriculum that promotes second language acquisition.

tina wrote on Dec 12, 2007 7:22 PM:I read many of you writing about immigrants coming to America needing to learn English. Have you forgot that the First Americans here were Indians speaking their Native language. Foreigners from England came here claiming land and froced the Indians to drop their Native language frocing them to learn English. Does anyone see how wrong that was?

Jennifer wrote on Feb 21, 2008 10:40 AM:The issue here is not whether or not a person/child should learn a second language, the issue is whether or not a person/child should be FORCED to learn a separate language. The thing I find the most ridicules is the fact that Latino Americans are telling us that they dislike Bilingual education, yet we still refuse to listen to them. We pass it off as the fact that they feel it is their only option. Maybe they just don't like it. Maybe they moved to America to become American. I think that if they wanted to stay in Mexico they would have stayed. They moved to America because they want to be Americans. They are telling us this people, I think it is about time we listened.

Monica wrote on Apr 10, 2008 9:59 PM: I have read everyones comments on this subject. Obviously many of you need a cultural diversit class. We live in the most diverse country and welcome others to live here. I lived in Europe for three years. I did not know the language there and when I spoke to people who were required to learn english in school they were quite nice about the fact I did not speak there language. If they did not speak english they would find someone who did. Many other countries are respectfull of the fact that I did not speak there language. I think others deserve the same respect we would get outside of our country.

Jennifer wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:26 PM:After reading all these comments, I have to agree with Monica. Many of you need to take a diversity class. The reason I found this article was for my diversity class. As a 3rd generation Mexican American, I am an American no if ands or buts about it. I grew speaking both english and spanish but as I got older I grew away from it. I remember a few words and would love to relearn spanishm just for the simple fact that Latinos are refusing to learn english. I am on the fence about them having to learn english but am of the mind that all immigrating people coming to this country should know the basics of the language.

Katia wrote on Jun 25, 2008 6:00 PM:I have read all comments, and I'm glad that not all Americans are like you, I agree with the last two comments, you guys need to take a diversity class, and research a little bit from what country your family came from because all of us came from another country.

Krystal wrote on Jun 30, 2008 12:23 PM:I personally feel that anyone who shuts out learning anything including another language is pretty dumb. People say that we should not spend time teaching people how to speak English but what about when you visit other countries. All of you are going to be the closed minded people who do not know how say thing because learning another language was just too hard for you. So you get robbed or cheated out of something because you did not know what the other person said. I think learning any language will put you in a better place in the future.

King wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:45 PM:America is an english speaking country. It is unfortunate and a disadvantage that more Americans do not know another language, but our government should not use our tax money to teach immigrants how to speak english. Further, if they are going to come to America and raise their children here, they need to learn English. This is not Europe, and they can't afford to come here not speaking English and assume that we will provide them the service of language education. I admire immigrants that they communicate better in English than I can in their language, but it is not the governments responsbility to teach them how to communicate once they are here.

Carlos wrote on Jul 26, 2008 12:02 PM:I think it is very funny how many americans, even the ones on this site have trouble spelling and speaking English let alone another language. How can people argue for or against another language when they have trouble with the one that is supposedly the country's primary language English?

Carol in Canton OH wrote on Jul 31, 2008 10:26 AM:I just glanced at everyone's comments in passing, while scrolling to the bottom of the page. I have to run a hard copy so I can read offline for a college assignment. I hate to rain on some folks' parades, but the US Census folks state that by 2050 White Americans will be a 40% minority and everyone else will form a majority. This may just change a few things, like what is our national language.

Ruthie in MA wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:42 AM:Why do we have to argue about what language we speak in America? Why does speaking English take away from someone's ethnicity? I feel it would be more important to speak English than to struggle day after day wondering what someone had said to me. Is not speaking the English language a way to buck the system? I find it strange for a person to come to live here in America to have a better life, etc. and not learn how to speak the language. I think that is like shooting yourself in the foot. When applying for citizenship, isn't it true that he or she has to take classes to learn the English language? If so, then why are there so many people who cannot speak the language of the United States?

Jen in Kansas wrote on Aug 8, 2008 5:56 PM:Ruthie,
I agree with you 100%! I believe that if an individual is going to come to America to live they should learn the English language and not have us try and figure out what they are saying to us. If we go to another country there isn't always going to be an individual around that speaks English and I am almost positive that we would have to learn their language just to get from place to place. My dad went to Tailand for vacation and he had to figure out how to speak their language in order to be able to tell the cab driver where he wanted to go. Here many people say that we aren't being fair because we here in the United States don't know Spanish and we are trying to teach individuals to speak English in order to better help them survive. I believe that we are being more then fair and individuals need to learn English because it is America!

what wrote on Sep 5, 2008 8:49 AM:I have my own personal belief. I think it is great to learn different languages, so what if other countries do not speak the English language. We are America and we are here to learn and have the opportunity that we want. Not what you want or what they want. I say if you are willing to learn a different language then study,learn and speak it. Nobody is going to help you in the future when you get that bilingual job that a English speaker can not get. That is your choice. Isn't America about opportunity?

Puerto Rico,which is a spanish speaking Isand is part of America and they have managed to make English part of the education over there, so what is wrong with another language being part of America? Believe it or not Spanish is big here in America and it will keep growing.

leena wrote on Sep 25, 2008 8:46 PM:I think that many are racist, and simple-minded in this country. "Forcing" your children to learn a language. I should have been so lucky. It opens up so many doors, and yet you find it an irritation? Blast those people who try to make your children more knowledgeable! Try saying some of these things out loud to yourself, maybe you would realize how ignorant your responses seem. People who move to the United States and speak different languages have EVERY RIGHT to speak their native tongue. If you don't like it, don't talk to them. It is not rude, just because you are not knowledgeable enough to understand them. Besides, why should they 'only speak English?' do you really think that English-speaking people are superior to others? The United States is home to EVERYONE who lives here. You act as if you are 'letting the immigrants stay here'. This is their home too. Do not get me wrong, I do not believe that bilingualism is beneficial. from what I've read, it does not really help that much. BUT, some of the comments have seriously bypassed that subject, to another one.

Misty wrote on Oct 10, 2008 1:06 PM:I understand where most of you are coming from, but I have to be the bearer of bad news I guess. Did you know that America does NOT have a national language? English is NOT our language and if other people come here from other countries, it is not required anywhere in our government that you have to speak English. I think that being bilingual by choice is a good idea, but to be forced into it would suck. I asked a teacher of my son's last year about bilingualism in schools. She told me that in order for anyone to go to a public school in the city in which I live, one has to speak English. They have programs to help the families learn English, but in reality, English is still not our national language. I think it sucks to be walking in the store and everyone around you is speaking a language you can not understand, and it irritates me, but in most countries, English is mandatory as a second language. So unfortunately, and technically, we can not say anything about anyone speaking a language other than English in our country as our country does not have a national language to begin with.

Him wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:36 PM:It’s not “learnt” Tina from Kansas, its “learned”... bilingual learning is ok, as long as everyone knows English fluently. If you do not know English fluenty, no citizenship or green card should be allowed. Period.