Should Immigrants to the USA learn English?

[Divair2]

And? There's no French law mandating that all who enter France must learn French.

No, there isn't. But it's impossible to maintain a good job in France without having knowledge of the French language.

Clearly not, as I know people who manage just fine.

[The Rebel Alliances]

It can get annoying when they do not. I work at a Waffle House, and occasionally we get a group of workers who cannot speak English. And me trying to understand what they want through pointing at the menu and improvised sign language.

And then when the food comes they get upset because they did not want a specific ingredient or side that comes with the plate. If they knew English, then I would have known to omit the onions from the cheese steak sandwich. Or to cook the bacon crispier.

[Ifreann]

You think the head chef in a restaurant gets paid less than an office drone working the mail room?

It's very useful, but not necessary.

I never said "head chef".

No, you didn't. You said working in a Mexican restaurant. I said head chef to make the point that restaurant workers aren't just minimum wage plate scrubbers.

[Sanguinea]

I think anyone moving permanently to a nation should learn the language of the host country. To do otherwise to mean that one doesn't wish to naturalize into the culture.

[Ifreann]

It can get annoying when they do not. I work at a Waffle House, and occasionally we get a group of workers who cannot speak English. And me trying to understand what they want through pointing at the menu and improvised sign language.

And then when the food comes they get upset because they did not want a specific ingredient or side that comes with the plate. If they knew English, then I would have known to omit the onions from the cheese steak sandwich. Or to cook the bacon crispier.

Sounds like you'd be better at your job if you could speak something other than English.

[The Rebel Alliances]

I never said "head chef".

No, you didn't. You said working in a Mexican restaurant. I said head chef to make the point that restaurant workers aren't just minimum wage plate scrubbers.

Quit talking about my job! Actually I am a waiter who happens to scrub plates for way less than minimum wage.

[Estormo]

No, there isn't. But it's impossible to maintain a good job in France without having knowledge of the French language.

Clearly not, as I know people who manage just fine.

Why is it that I don't believe that at all?

[Estormo]

I never said "head chef".

No, you didn't. You said working in a Mexican restaurant. I said head chef to make the point that restaurant workers aren't just minimum wage plate scrubbers.

And besides, the Manager and the "head chef" are usually bilingual.

[Ifreann]

I think anyone moving permanently to a nation should learn the language of the host country.

Which language? Several countries have more than one official language. Some have no official language.

To do otherwise to mean that one doesn't wish to naturalize into the culture.

It doesn't mean that at all, and if it did, so what?

[Estormo]

It can get annoying when they do not. I work at a Waffle House, and occasionally we get a group of workers who cannot speak English. And me trying to understand what they want through pointing at the menu and improvised sign language.

And then when the food comes they get upset because they did not want a specific ingredient or side that comes with the plate. If they knew English, then I would have known to omit the onions from the cheese steak sandwich. Or to cook the bacon crispier.

Sounds like you'd be better at your job if you could speak something other than English.

If they want to come to his country, they can learn his language.

[Ifreann]

No, you didn't. You said working in a Mexican restaurant. I said head chef to make the point that restaurant workers aren't just minimum wage plate scrubbers.

Quit talking about my job! Actually I am a waiter who happens to scrub plates for way less than minimum wage.

If you didn't want to discuss your job then you shouldn't have brought it up.

---

No, you didn't. You said working in a Mexican restaurant. I said head chef to make the point that restaurant workers aren't just minimum wage plate scrubbers.

And besides, the Manager and the "head chef" are usually bilingual.

Why is it that I don't believe that at all?

[Fionnuala_Saoirse]

Pretty much.

Not forced though because that would be fucking stupid.

[Estormo]

I think anyone moving permanently to a nation should learn the language of the host country.

Which language? Several countries have more than one official language. Some have no official language.

To do otherwise to mean that one doesn't wish to naturalize into the culture.

It doesn't mean that at all, and if it did, so what?

If they want in our country without our culture, they can leave and never come back. Most Mexican-American understand English and are bilingual, which is good.

[The Rebel Alliances]

It can get annoying when they do not. I work at a Waffle House, and occasionally we get a group of workers who cannot speak English. And me trying to understand what they want through pointing at the menu and improvised sign language.

And then when the food comes they get upset because they did not want a specific ingredient or side that comes with the plate. If they knew English, then I would have known to omit the onions from the cheese steak sandwich. Or to cook the bacon crispier.

Sounds like you'd be better at your job if you could speak something other than English.

I am learning Chinese. Been taking lessons for months now. And while learning multiple languages is helpful. My job is in Louisiana, and the northern part at that. We dont even get people who speak french. So, the society is English. Would it be easier if I understood Spanish? Yes, but what if tomorrow I have a German or Korean or Portuguese customer walk in and for some reason cannot speak English. Should O learn all of these languages too?

If you are going to another country for an extended time it helps to make things easier on yourself by having at least a basic knowledge of the native language. And if things are more difficult because you lack the language skills. Is that the fault of the natives or yours?

[Ifreann]

Sounds like you'd be better at your job if you could speak something other than English.

If they want to come to his country, they can learn his language.

But for whatever reason, they haven't. If he could speak their language, he'd be able to offer a better service to them, which would make him better at his job. See, what I've said is a fact, and what you've said isn't.

[Osarius]

Another simple question. Should Immigrants to the USA learn English?

They'd probably find it useful to do so. Unless they can already speak English, in which case learning it again would be the very definition of futility.

Should they be forced to take English classes?

No.

Basically this.

Obviously it's beneficial, so they should learn, but do I think they should have to? Absolutely not.

How would you even enforce that?

[The Rebel Alliances]

Quit talking about my job! Actually I am a waiter who happens to scrub plates for way less than minimum wage.

If you didn't want to discuss your job then you shouldn't have brought it up.

---

And besides, the Manager and the "head chef" are usually bilingual.

Why is it that I don't believe that at all?

The job comment was in a joking manner. There was meant to be sarcasm. I actually enjoy my job, just wished I could make more money.

[Estormo]

If they want to come to his country, they can learn his language.

But for whatever reason, they haven't. If he could speak their language, he'd be able to offer a better service to them, which would make him better at his job. See, what I've said is a fact, and what you've said isn't.

There is no reason as to why they shouldn't speak it other than being completely sluggish.

[Estormo]

If they want to come to his country, they can learn his language.

But for whatever reason, they haven't. If he could speak their language, he'd be able to offer a better service to them, which would make him better at his job. See, what I've said is a fact, and what you've said isn't.

"It's a fact", because you say it is? Lol no.

[Ifreann]

Which language? Several countries have more than one official language. Some have no official language.

It doesn't mean that at all, and if it did, so what?

If they want in our country without our culture, they can leave and never come back.

If you want to force your culture on everyone in your country then you can do it yourself.

---

Sounds like you'd be better at your job if you could speak something other than English.

I am learning Chinese. Been taking lessons for months now. And while learning multiple languages is helpful. My job is in Louisiana, and the northern part at that. We dont even get people who speak french. So, the society is English. Would it be easier if I understood Spanish? Yes, but what if tomorrow I have a German or Korean or Portuguese customer walk in and for some reason cannot speak English. Should O learn all of these languages too?

You'd certainly impress any tourists from those countries. I'm not saying that you, personally, should learn those languages. I'm just pointing out that speaking languages other than English can be a boon to a business.

If you are going to another country for an extended time it helps to make things easier on yourself by having at least a basic knowledge of the native language. And if things are more difficult because you lack the language skills. Is that the fault of the natives or yours?

Whose fault it is doesn't matter. What people should or shouldn't do isn't my point.

[Ifreann]

But for whatever reason, they haven't. If he could speak their language, he'd be able to offer a better service to them, which would make him better at his job. See, what I've said is a fact, and what you've said isn't.

There is no reason as to why they shouldn't speak it other than being completely sluggish.

Of course there is. Learning a language takes time and energy, things people have only limited supplies of.

Incidentally, "sluggish" suggests slowness, not laziness.

---

But for whatever reason, they haven't. If he could speak their language, he'd be able to offer a better service to them, which would make him better at his job. See, what I've said is a fact, and what you've said isn't.

"It's a fact", because you say it is? Lol no.

No, it's a fact because it's a fact. It is self evident that a waiter who can shares a language with the customers is better at their job than a waiter who doesn't, all else being equal.

[Divair2]

Clearly not, as I know people who manage just fine.

Why is it that I don't believe that at all?

Trust issues? I don't know your personal life.

[Estormo]

There is no reason as to why they shouldn't speak it other than being completely sluggish.

Of course there is. Learning a language takes time and energy, things people have only limited supplies of.

Incidentally, "sluggish" suggests slowness, not laziness.

---

"It's a fact", because you say it is? Lol no.

No, it's a fact because it's a fact. It is self evident that a waiter who can shares a language with the customers is better at their job than a waiter who doesn't, all else being equal.

slug·gish
ˈsləgiSH/Submit
adjective
adjective: sluggish
1.
slow-moving or inactive.
"a sluggish stream"
synonyms: inactive, quiet, slow, slack, flat, depressed, stagnant More
antonyms: brisk
lacking energy or alertness.
"Alex woke late feeling tired and sluggish"
synonyms: lethargic, listless, lacking in energy, lifeless, inert, inactive, underactive, slow, torpid, languid, apathetic, weary, tired, fatigued, sleepy, drowsy, enervated; More
antonyms: vigorous
slow to respond or make progress.
"the car had been sluggish all morning"
Looks like you are wrong again, as it to be expected.

[Wind in the Willows]

Yes, they should learn English or be refused entry.

[Distruzio]

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. Completely.

I don't believe that immigrants should be forced but I do believe that, as they represent an investment in this nation by the government (in granting them a visa or citizenship) then it behooves the government to facilitate the maximum return on that investment via free language classes.