Speaking English in America?

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Originally posted by Kfamr
At my highschool it is manditory to have a year of a foreign language to graduate. It's either a year or two years, and alot of the kids go for taking Spanish, or even 2 different languages.

Same here. We need 2 years of a foreign language to graduate. The choices are Italian, Spanish, German, French, and I think one more.

[dukedogsmom]

KayAnn, do you take Spanish? Maybe I can learn some from you

[babolaypo65]

Originally posted by Kfamr
At my highschool it is manditory to have a year of a foreign language to graduate. It's either a year or two years, and alot of the kids go for taking Spanish, or even 2 different languages.

Most high schools have a foreign language requirement, which is good, though most of us would admit we retained, or rather acquired very little of the second language. It's good for a generally understanding of how languages work, but I agree with KYS if it's gonna stick it's best introduced earlier, elementary, or younger. And then used.

[Kfamr]

I know *SOME* spanish.. Just the basics like, " how are you?", "what's your name?", " where are you from?", and I also know how to answer the questions. I know how to say a few phrases I wont mention.

I took Spanish1 my freshman year, And I *was* in Spanish2 but I didn't want to be, so I got switched out of it.

[micki76]

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.

[tatsxxx11]

Great points, Karen and Micki! And you're right Micki, doing our best to make our immgarnt citizens feel welcome, to be kind and caring and helpful in assisting their transistion, could make all the difference in the world. So many may feel insecure, frightened, threatened, lonely and understandably, choose to retreat to the comfort of that which they know, that is familiar and and those who accept them rather than appear foolish or ignorant

[gini]

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!

[Twisterdog]

I think if you move to a country, you ought to learn its primary language ... preferably before you arrive, or as soon thereafter as possible. I think this is a huge no-brainer.

Would any of us move to Germany, Mexico, Italy, etc. without a clue of how to ask where the restrooms are or how to count money? And, more importantly, would we move there and make no attempt whatsoever to learn the language, even after years and years? I highly doubt it! I frankly don't know anyone who even vacations in a foreign country for a week that doesn't make some attempt to learn at least a few pertinent phrases of the language before going there.

My great grandparents were all immigrants, arriving in the USA from Germany, Scotland and England. My German relatives learned English, and did as well for themselves here as my Englsh relatives. They were hard-working people, who were ambitious and did what had to be done.

Case in point: my neighbors down the street. The mom and dad moved here from Mexico fifteen years ago. The dad spoke a few words of English, the mom spoke none. They now have been here for fifteen years, and have five children - ages fourteen, twelve, nine, seven and five - all of whom were born here in Wyoming. All five children are in ESL classes at school, arriving in kindegarten not speaking a single word of English. Neither parent has learned much English, and they speak only Spanish at home. I find this pathetic - those poor kids struggle. And why?!? Why would you not want to learn the principal language of the country you have chose to live in? No one forces these people to come here, they come here by choice. They should also choose to learn our language, at least for their children's sake.

[Soledad]

Personally, I think it's pretty shameful that most Americans can only speak one language (and many can't even manage that one language very well). I think it's even more shameful that around 20-25% of us actually have passports, meaning many of us haven't had to experience life beyond our borders. And requiring a couple of years of a foreign language in high school is hardly doing the trick.

Yes, of course, people coming to the U.S. have it in their best interests to learn English. But that's easier said than done. The difficulties can be overwhelming, especially when you consider than many immigrants work gruelling jobs with long hours and have large families to support. This makes for little time for extracurricular activities. We must also take into account the level of education people have when coming here. My grandfather has a third grade education and is not fluent in English despite living in the States for 25 years. But then, he was pretty busy picking tomatoes and cherries for Americans and supporting his eight kids, making his opportunities for learning English pretty damn slim.

Oh, and Cincy's Mom, a three year old speaking only Spanish in Ohio who has two English speaking parents is NOT a problem. That kid is going to pick up English no matter what. I mainly spoke Spanish until I was five, and I started and completed kindergarten with no problems. The language abilities of children are truly amazing.

[gini]

Very well said PCB - and congratulations to you and your parents.

The one key in learning a language whether from grade one or later in high school - is that you need SOMEONE TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE TO........on a regular basis.

Obviously speaking Spanish in many states is a huge asset.......but if for example, (my own) I took French. I live in California - at the time - not too many people around to help me keep up my newly learned language skills. So over the years I recall only a smattering of words and phrases here and there.

I did in later years take Italian lessons which became invaluable when I went to Italy. However, again, most has been lost as I have no one to converse with on regular basis

[Twisterdog]

Originally posted by Soledad
[B]Personally, I think it's pretty shameful that most Americans can only speak one language (and many can't even manage that one language very well).

I agree, it is shameful. Something is definately wrong with our school system when thousands upon thousands of functionally illiterate teenagers walk away with high school diplomas every year. Teach two languages fluently? Our school system isn't even requiring competency in one language!

I think it's even more shameful that around 20-25% of us actually have passports, meaning many of us haven't had to experience life beyond our borders.

Perhaps only 25% of us can afford to travel abroad? I would say that foreign travel, and gaining life experiences beyond our borders, is unfortunately something reserved for those with a bit of disposable income to spare. I would venture to say that the other 75% are working class people, trying to make ends meet, put food on the table, pay for the kids' braces, etc. Perhaps vacation for them is a long weekend camping or visiting grandparents. I don't believe that the sole reason only 25% of Americans hold passports is that 75% of us are "Ugly American" hicks ... perhaps 75% of us are just not wealthy enough to tour Europe.

[gini]

I agree Twisterdog. The other side of that equation is that some people have absolutely no interest in traveling - even outside of their state. I have no idea what percentage that might be.

Personally I have always felt that traveling broadened my mind - my spirit - especially as an American. It was important enough to me that I made sacrifices in other areas of my life to be able to travel. But as you mentioned, it isn't that easy for thouands of families trying to raise a family.

We are such a young country - and there is so much more to be learned in countries that have thousands of years of history.

I just saw an excellent play - TRANSLATIONS. It is about the English going into Ireland - remapping their country and RENAMING their cities and counties.

[trayi52]

Well, I only know one language, English. I don't have a passport, and have never traveled to any other country. I would love to do all these things, but when you can't afford to travel abroad, then that's a huge problem.

My dad's parents and grandmother came here in the early 1900's from Germany, and I don't know whether they already knew English or not, I wish I had asked my dad when he was alive, but that just never entered my mind until now.

I know that my dad did say they spoke German to each other and slowly, as they started using English fluently, they stopped altogether speaking German. Daddy knew very little German. He taught Ann and me some of words, but I have forgotten those too.

I agree with all of you, and Poppy 100%.

It would be nice to travel, but oh well.

Tray

[2kitties]

Originally posted by Twisterdog
Something is definately wrong with our school system when thousands upon thousands of functionally illiterate teenagers walk away with high school diplomas every year. Teach two languages fluently? Our school system isn't even requiring competency in one language!

Thank God Somebody Brought This Up!! Amen to that Twisterdog!
First of all, 2 years of spanish at your local high school- begun at the high school level- is nowhere near enough to learn a language. I had 5 years of French and, today I'm at ground zero again (dur to nonuse). Had I begun learning in first grade, I feel certain I'd be fluent.

Our school systems fail kids on a regular basis. I'm not dissing the schools or the teachers. In fact, I think often they are doing the best they can. But parents and teachers do not exactly make good teams these days. Kids enter school with no experience with the alphabet or numbers. My parents made darn sure I could read basic books, write my full name and certain other words and perform basic flash card math- all at the age of 5 when I entered school, so I wouldn't fall behind the other kids. That head start served me well. It costs nothing for a parent and child to read together or learn to count. Parental responsibility is not an education of priviledge, it is basic.

We graduate virtual illiterates all the time in this country. There are plenty of high school graduates who can't diagram a simple english sentence. If you doubt that, just read through some of the posts on Pet Talk. I don't mean to hurt feelings, and I'm not talking about typos. But there are some posters in these forums who do not have a grasp on their native language at all. Embarrasingly, there are plenty of posters here who were born and live in countries all over the world who have a MUCH BETTER command of english than some of our own citizens.

[babolaypo65]

We have an interesting dichotomy in this thread. We all agree that folks who live here should learn English. We all say it's great when kids are bilingual, yet most who posted their family's history said they lost the heritage language. If your family moved here and never spoke it's heritage language to the next generation, its a chance for another generation to be bilingual that is lost.
Kids who are raised in bilingual homes are very fortunate. Statistics show they learn to read more quickly, and excell in English in school.
Our government is very motivated for folks to learn English, I only wish they were equally motivated to maintain heritage languages. Pop and Soledad are excellent examples of heritage language maintenance and they are richer for it.

I have a friend whose parents were monolingual Spanish speakers. When he was born doctors and educators told his parents they should only speak English to him. Because they did not know English, his parents were instructed to NOT speak to him, but to let the TV be his model. Shameful. To tell parents NOT to speak to their child.

Heritage language maintenance programs are gaining momentum, in my state at least, and I hope it's a growing trend.