Oh my, what a potentially controversial subject. Up front let me tell you that I believe everyone who comes to this country should learn to speak English.

My paternal side of the family is German. They came to the U.S. in the 1850's. I would imagine it was very difficult for them. But because they came here to prosper and raise their children, English was learned quickly and German was dropped. My Grandfather could not speak a word of German - and his English was excellent.

That said, I feel it will take several generations or maybe even only one as the youngsters learn English and continue in English as they grow older and raise their own families. They will keep their native tongue and may speak to their elders in that tongue, but their primary language will be English.

Many of my neighbors are Korean and every single one of their children speak excellent English - often times they will have to translate for their parents.

The Hispanics come from many countries and each one is just a little bit different. My experience is that El Salvadorians immediately want to learn and speak English.

They want to earn a living here, bank, shop, etc. It will be to their own interest for them to learn English - so that they are not taken advantage of.

A high school teacher that I know told me that in his school alone there were over 59 different languages spoken. He said that it was a nightmare teaching.

My niece taught fifth graders. She taught in both Spanish and English. In other words, at that time, she had to say everything twice. That theory did not work........and now they are immersing the kids in English right away.

Young children are sponges - and they pick up the language very rapidly - and there is peer pressure as well.

I do have trouble with immigrants "demanding" someone be available to speak to them in their native tongue. Imagine if all 59 of the languages represented at the high school did the same.

We have our ballots in English, Spanish and Korean. Are there only three? Hmmm, what do the rest of the people do?

I also have trouble with all of the signage being in Spanish or Korean. Why? There was a serious fire at a restaurant a while back. The firemen did not read the native language and because the addresses are not clearly marked.....could not find the right address.....by the time they saw the smoke the restaurant was well engulfed in flames.

My point being only, that there are safety matters to be concerned about as well.

Well, that is my two centavos!