I work in an office for a company that remodels swimming pools. All of our workers are Mexican and most can speak at least enough english to get by. Not all of them can though. Like said, it would be hard to learn the language when you’re surrounded by your fellow countrymen and, when not around english speaking Americans, everyone still speaks spanish. On the other hand, my friend Maricella came to America as a child. Her grandmother spoke a little english and wanted to be sure that she learned english. She only allowed her to watch english programs during the day when they were at home alone together. Maricella said this was the best help that she received in her quest to learn english.

I personally think that if you live here, you should speak english which is the primary language spoken. Although, I do understand how difficult it must be to learn, especially as an adult. I’m trying to learn spanish and it’s been extremely difficult, but when I was 12 and learning french, that was much easier. Not that I remember any of it.

Also realize that many who you think can’t speak english, can. They usually feel to self conscious to attempt to speak it, especially the men. It’s very degrading for many Mexican men to seem inferior or “stupid”, or not macho. This may be mainly a Mexican thing.