Should Immigrants to the USA learn English?

[Ashmoria]

I don't understand the question.

it implies that there are immigrants who come to the US and don't want to learn English. have communities stopped offering English and reading classes (taught mostly by volunteers) for those who are deficient in those things?

[Gallup]

I don't understand the question.

it implies that there are immigrants who come to the US and don't want to learn English. have communities stopped offering English and reading classes (taught mostly by volunteers) for those who are deficient in those things?

There are people who don't want to learn English. They move to ethnic enclaves.

[Ashmoria]

I don't understand the question.

it implies that there are immigrants who come to the US and don't want to learn English. have communities stopped offering English and reading classes (taught mostly by volunteers) for those who are deficient in those things?

There are people who don't want to learn English. They move to ethnic enclaves.

those few people are limiting themselves. *shrug* of course they SHOULD learn English but if they can find themselves a spot where they don't have to, I don't care.

[Ifreann]

Who said anything about ghettos?

---

Sure they can.

Why are you switching from "enclave" to "ghetto"?

Most ethnic enclaves tend to be ghettos, or less than up to par.

Yes, I hear that communities of retired, well off Britons tend to be utter shitholes.

---

Personally, I firmly believe that Americans should learn Cherokee.

Only Cherokee?

---

No. Instead, all Americans should be forced to learn Icelandic.

Care to explain why?

The better to appreciate Sigur Rós.

[AiliailiA]

I don't understand the question.

it implies that there are immigrants who come to the US and don't want to learn English. have communities stopped offering English and reading classes (taught mostly by volunteers) for those who are deficient in those things?

There are people who don't want to learn English. They move to ethnic enclaves.

There are people who don't want to learn basic arithmetic. But they don't have to move anywhere.

[AiliailiA]

Most ethnic enclaves tend to be ghettos, or less than up to par.

Yes, I hear that communities of retired, well off Britons tend to be utter shitholes.

Well-off Britons are retiring to the US?

For shame! Jumping the queue on hard-working immigrants!

[Ifreann]

Yes, I hear that communities of retired, well off Britons tend to be utter shitholes.

Well-off Britons are retiring to the US?

For shame! Jumping the queue on hard-working immigrants!

I was thinking more the Mediterranean, but I'm sure some go to the US.

[Desmendura]

Yes, so they can communicate with people properly.

[Gallup]

Yes, so they can communicate with people properly.

Should it be mandatory?

[Berdanvia]

Yes, if immigrants don't learn English, then eventually, nobody will be able to communicate with anyone.

[Shahansh]

No, but those that don't learn the most spoken language in their given country shouldn't be catered to and shouldn't bitch about it when they can't get a job.

[Divair2]

Care to explain why?

I think he's joking.

Not at all.

[AiliailiA]

No, but those that don't learn the most spoken language in their given country shouldn't be catered to and shouldn't bitch about it when they can't get a job.

I think they should be "catered to" in the form of free language lessons. I see that as remedial education to a high school standard, which everyone should be entitled to whether they were born in the country or not.

If the immigrant is a child it is very simple. They're entitled to the same education as any other child.

If they're an adult, it's not so simple. I'm inclined to offer them free remedial education (to the standard they would have as a high school graduate if they'd been born in-country) in every school subject. I don't expect everyone to agree with that.

But more specific to the thread subject, immigrants should definitely be offered free remedial education in the common language of the country. Language is the key to many other opportunities, including education and self-education in all the other subjects. Even if full remedial education for adult immigrants (in all the subjects to a HS standard) isn't offered, English language should be.

And if a person born in the US dropped out of school at in their early teens, did drugs, held up a store and murdered someone ... did 12 years in prison ... they're still entitled to remedial education at no cost. Everyone born in the country deserves at least a high-school education. Nothing they do as a child or an adult can forfeit that right.

Do immigrants deserve the same? Perhaps not. But education in the core subject on which all others depend, the language in which they can be further educated or self-educate? Yes! Absolutely. This is the right of anyone in the country (even tourists!) and should be provided by government free of charge.

[AiliailiA]

Well-off Britons are retiring to the US?

For shame! Jumping the queue on hard-working immigrants!

I was thinking more the Mediterranean, but I'm sure some go to the US.

The Med has pleasant weather and good food. The US has pleasant taxes and cheap food.

It's a matter of personal taste I guess.

[Divair2]

Personally, I firmly believe that Americans should learn Cherokee.

Actually, I prefer your idea.

[Gulf of Nungfienrt]

Another simple question. Should Immigrants to the USA learn English? Should they be forced to take English classes? And who would pay for them?

I think that, yes, immigrants to the US should learn to speak English. That doesn't mean they can't speak their native language. Rather, it means they can better participate in the USA's economy. If you know a county's language, you have a leg up on those who don't. I would also make the classes optional, and paid for by the government.

I agree, and it's for their own benefit. It will allow them to better communicate and get jobs and participate in their lives here in the United States.

[Gallup]

Personally, I firmly believe that Americans should learn Cherokee.

Actually, I prefer your idea.

Why just Cherokee? There are others, you know.

[Divair2]

Actually, I prefer your idea.

Why just Cherokee? There are others, you know.

No. Just Cherokee. The usage of all other languages should be banned and punishable by death.

[Shahansh]

I think they should be "catered to" in the form of free language lessons. I see that as remedial education to a high school standard, which everyone should be entitled to whether they were born in the country or not.

If the immigrant is a child it is very simple. They're entitled to the same education as any other child.

If they're an adult, it's not so simple. I'm inclined to offer them free remedial education (to the standard they would have as a high school graduate if they'd been born in-country) in every school subject. I don't expect everyone to agree with that.

But more specific to the thread subject, immigrants should definitely be offered free remedial education in the common language of the country. Language is the key to many other opportunities, including education and self-education in all the other subjects. Even if full remedial education for adult immigrants (in all the subjects to a HS standard) isn't offered, English language should be.

And if a person born in the US dropped out of school at in their early teens, did drugs, held up a store and murdered someone ... did 12 years in prison ... they're still entitled to remedial education at no cost. Everyone born in the country deserves at least a high-school education. Nothing they do as a child or an adult can forfeit that right.

Do immigrants deserve the same? Perhaps not. But education in the core subject on which all others depend, the language in which they can be further educated or self-educate? Yes! Absolutely. This is the right of anyone in the country (even tourists!) and should be provided by government free of charge.

A well thought-out answer, though I think you misinterpreted my notably vague response.
Those that don't try, refuse to learn the primary language of their country, and think everyone should accomodate them for it don't deserve anything. Those that are willing to learn the primary language and work like the rest of us are more than welcome here, and there should be a kind of remedial class/classes funded by the government for that purpose.

[Ifreann]

Yes, if immigrants don't learn English, then eventually, nobody will be able to communicate with anyone.

That doesn't follow at all.

[Farnhamia]

Yes, if immigrants don't learn English, then eventually, nobody will be able to communicate with anyone.

That doesn't follow at all.

Ad a dúirt tú? Ní féidir liom a thuiscint.

[Ifreann]

That doesn't follow at all.

Ad a dúirt tú? Ní féidir liom a thuiscint.

Cuinis bóthar cailín bainne.

[Farnhamia]

Ad a dúirt tú? Ní féidir liom a thuiscint.

Cuinis bóthar cailín bainne.

That made Google Translate cry.

[Ifreann]

Cuinis bóthar cailín bainne.

That made Google Translate cry.

Clearly all the Google immigrants to Ireland neglected to learn our language.

[Farnhamia]

That made Google Translate cry.

Clearly all the Google immigrants to Ireland neglected to learn our language.

I don't know why, it comes with a lovely way of writing. This is Latin, of course, but Insular Miniscule is still taught, I believe.