| Achieving and living the American Dream requires | | | | disadvantage in the global marketplace. Just because |
| knowing the language we use here. Immigrants who | | | | people know another language along with English does |
| don't learn English, and even our own citizens who | | | | not mean they are less American or haven't |
| don't have a good grasp of the language, never reach | | | | assimilated. Retaining one's native language and being |
| their full potential. People who know our language are | | | | bilingual does not mean they can't also be good |
| more successful, earn more income, move into better | | | | Americans. |
| neighborhoods with better schools and make better | | | | English is what unites us in this country. Diverse people |
| lives for their families. Their children, in turn, are more | | | | and cultures with one language made this nation. |
| successful and the whole country benefits. | | | | Assimilation into our society and culture happens much |
| In years past, immigrants had to learn English quickly to | | | | faster when there is a common language. We need |
| live and work here. There was almost nothing available | | | | more classes to teach English as a second language |
| to them in their own languages and certainly nothing | | | | to immigrants. There are some available, but not |
| provided by the government or most businesses. | | | | always at convenient times or places, with childcare to |
| Because of the distance and cost involved in visiting | | | | allow mothers to take the class. If the businesses that |
| their homeland, most never went "home" again. They | | | | serve the immigrants in their own languages would |
| were forced to cut all ties with their past and quickly | | | | sponsor English classes instead, many problems would |
| became Americans. | | | | be solved at once. |
| It is very easy for immigrants now to keep ties with | | | | Assimilation also happens much faster when the |
| their homelands. Telephones, email and airplanes all | | | | people are here legally. If the people here illegally are |
| make it easy to visit often. The Spanish speaking | | | | put on a path to citizenship, they will assimilate much |
| immigrants, especially, have little need to learn English. | | | | faster. If you knew you were in a community or school |
| Businesses have made the decision to serve them in | | | | or job temporarily, would you put much effort into |
| their own language because of their buying power and | | | | getting to know all the rules and all the other members |
| their sheer numbers. | | | | or try to become a leader? Probably not if you knew |
| Chinese is probably the only other language which has | | | | you were leaving, even if you didn't know exactly |
| enough people here to make it fairly easy for some | | | | when. |
| people to live here and not learn English. People | | | | If you were in a permanent job, community or school, |
| speaking other languages have a harder time and | | | | you would try to fit in and get to know everyone and |
| have to learn English quicker, more like immigrants a | | | | be a full member. It is the same thing for the |
| hundred years ago had to do. | | | | immigrants here now. We can't expect them to try to |
| Even with the ease for many immigrants to keep their | | | | learn English, learn all the laws and culture if they are |
| own languages, the Pew Hispanic Center says that | | | | leaving at any moment. Especially if they are scared |
| Latino immigrants recognize the importance of learning | | | | they will be arrested and deported. |
| English. 92% of Latinos believe it is "very important" to | | | | Thankfully, a large majority of Americans believe that |
| teach English to the children of immigrant families. Only | | | | the immigrants here illegally should be put on a "tough |
| 2% believe it is not, compared to 27% of non-Latinos | | | | but fair path to citizenship". They approve of the |
| who feel that way. I wonder who the 27% is that | | | | requirement of stringent background checks, fines, |
| thinks it is notimportant to teach English to immigrant | | | | back taxes paid, along with fluency in English, obeying |
| children. Many people are very upset to hear Spanish | | | | all the laws, staying employed and keeping their |
| spoken in so many places, how could they not want | | | | children in school. This large majority restores my faith |
| them to be taught English? | | | | in the humanity and compassion of Americans. The |
| Regardless of what language immigrants speak, as | | | | very vocal minority sometimes make me forget that. |
| always, immigrant families know their children will lose | | | | Congress keeps ignoring this problem, while more and |
| their native language soon. Many families are working | | | | more of these immigrants are crossing our border, |
| hard to keep their language alive in their homes. | | | | replacing the ones who are deported. Immigration |
| Children who grow up knowing more than one | | | | reform and a humane, compassionate, responsible |
| language usually do better in school and have better | | | | way to allow these people to stay legally are long |
| chances for employment too. | | | | overdue. |
| We should be proud and happy that more of our | | | | Hopefully, the large majority of Americans who believe |
| people know more than one language. A majority of | | | | this will become a very vocal majority and talk louder |
| Europeans know two or more languages, only about | | | | than the vocal minority. And it is time Congress listens |
| 10% of Americans do. This puts us at a distinct | | | | to the majority. |