Should Immigrants to the USA learn English?

[AiliailiA]

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.

Yes, best for them, best for the country, best for pretty much everyone.

Between yourself, Gallup and I ... could we perhaps persuade Sibirsky that optional language classes for adult immigrants should be paid for by government? Or as Sibirsky would say, paid for by the taxpayer?

I'm not asking any of you to agree with my wider agenda of free tertiary education for all citizens. Or even the idea that citizens who didn't graduate high school should be entitled to remedial education to that standard, later in life.

It's simpler than that: education in English language is good for the immigrant, it's good for the community they enter, and it's good for the nation. If they're willing, that's the sort of thing a government should pay for. It helps all and harms none.

I want Sibirsky on my side, on your side, and on Gallup's side of this. What more can we say to persuade him?

[Norstal]

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.

Yes, best for them, best for the country, best for pretty much everyone.

Between yourself, Gallup and I ... could we perhaps persuade Sibirsky that optional language classes for adult immigrants should be paid for by government? Or as Sibirsky would say, paid for by the taxpayer?

I'm not asking any of you to agree with my wider agenda of free tertiary education for all citizens. Or even the idea that citizens who didn't graduate high school should be entitled to remedial education to that standard, later in life.

It's simpler than that: education in English language is good for the immigrant, it's good for the community they enter, and it's good for the nation. If they're willing, that's the sort of thing a government should pay for. It helps all and harms none.

I want Sibirsky on my side, on your side, and on Gallup's side of this. What more can we say to persuade him?

Remove his memories of living in the Soviet Union. *nods*

[Norstal]

Yes, they should learn English or be refused entry.

That sucks for them Guam and Samoan people.

[Senyosu]

They should, but not forced. Come on, sensibility.

[The Picti]

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.

Perhaps you should learn Navahoe????

The USA was born out of multiculturalism, right? Multiculturalism and freedom.

Or am I wrong?

Nope

It was also born out of the rape and killing of Native Americans, and they didn't speak much English...but, you know...

[Shahansh]

Anyway, we agree on English lessons being available at no cost. Not just for immigrants, right? Anyone who didn't learn the language in school should be eligible?

Very much so.

[Arglorand]

Because it's fairly simple to get by with minimal knowledge of the local language.

It's completely useless. People who only speak English wouldn't be liked in France, which is why the parisians are so pissed and tired of seeing people not trying to learn French.

And it's their problem. It's not anyone else's problem that Parisians have a huge butthurt over their language.

[Arglorand]

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

Incidentally, "sluggish" suggests slowness, not laziness.

---

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.

Did you actually /read/ the definition you gave

[Polski Swiety Imperium]

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

They pay and must learn.

[Socialist Tibet]

Spanish is the true language of America.
#reconquista.

[Arglorand]

Spanish is the true language of America.
#reconquista.

*Cherokee.

[Ewelainoroen]

Why should they? America is a immigrant country and there are no real immagrants because of this so they should bring their culture and language here to liven up the bland white culture we have here

[Geilinor]

It's completely useless. People who only speak English wouldn't be liked in France, which is why the parisians are so pissed and tired of seeing people not trying to learn French.

And it's their problem. It's not anyone else's problem that Parisians have a huge butthurt over their language.

Look at Quebec, too. They have lots of people butthurt over language. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastagate

[Tekania]

The real question is should that guy with the "Welcome to American, now speak English" bumper sticker who spent 4 minutes behind me honking at me because I was sitting in the right turn lane at a red light with a clearly marked "no turn on red" sign, learn English?

[Kiruri]

The real question is should that guy with the "Welcome to American, now speak English" bumper sticker who spent 4 minutes behind me honking at me because I was sitting in the right turn lane at a red light with a clearly marked "no turn on red" sign, learn English?

the answer's yes. Undoubtedly yes.

[Uxtrington]

I think it would be in the best of their interest, as it will make things MUCH easier on them. Should they HAVE to? No, I don't think so.

[Arumdaum]

If they want to. It'd make life easier.

[Lucipurr]

Definitely, Immigrants moving to any country should at least make the effort to learn their language first.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

Only if they want to. If they can afford a translator / know enough English to perform basic interaction with the government (e.g. understand official papers such as fines, court orders, and other govt stuff) then by all means they know enough English.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

Why should they? America is a immigrant country and there are no real immagrants because of this so they should bring their culture and language here to liven up the bland white culture we have here

It's people like you who make me want to be more nationalist and anti-immigration. "bland white culture" very nice self-hate/white guilt you got going on for you there.

[Agritum]

Why should they? America is a immigrant country and there are no real immagrants because of this so they should bring their culture and language here to liven up the bland white culture we have here

It's people like you who make me want to be more nationalist and anti-immigration. "bland white culture" very nice self-hate/white guilt you got going on for you there.

Nah, don't get angry over a Poe.

[Arglorand]

It's people like you who make me want to be more nationalist and anti-immigration. "bland white culture" very nice self-hate/white guilt you got going on for you there.

Nah, don't get angry over a Poe.

Seconding this statement, because let's be honest, give or take 40% of the discussion in NSG is generated by Poes. We should all just learn to ignore them.

[Norstal]

The real question is should that guy with the "Welcome to American, now speak English" bumper sticker who spent 4 minutes behind me honking at me because I was sitting in the right turn lane at a red light with a clearly marked "no turn on red" sign, learn English?

Oh he learned English. He's just an asshole.

[Frazers]

They should be able to easily access English tuition as its pretty stupid to avoid it when it has such a great impact on their financial outcomes.

[Arumdaum]

Some people just really want to see economic collapse.

Some people just really want to see socio-cultural collapse.

Ah, so you don't know anything about history.