Should the US pass a law requiring immigrants to learn English?
November 18th, 2009 | 
Author: If we go to mexico, we are required to know spanish. If we go to Japan, we are required to know japanese. If you go to a government building in these countries, it’s only the native language. Why do we provide spanish or polish, etc in government buildings? I think we should be English only. If you don’t like it, learn it or leave! What do you think?
Does anyone know of any states that require English to get things {i.e. drivers license, gov support, etc?}
Posted in Uncategorized | 
Tags: drivers license, government buildings, japan, mexico, native language
"We" are NOT English only. The State of New Mexico is officially a blingual state with both Spanish and English being used. Now, if you file documents in court or make it an official record, yes, it has to be in English but let each state decide for itself what it wants to do.
And, for the record, I’ve seen lots of Americans go abroad and expect the foreigners to speak English. When’s the last time YOU went to Mexico? More of them speak English as a second language than any other language.
We are english only. Any immigrant knows this heck any person knows this. Also it states in the constitution the offical language is that of what the constitution is written in.
I agree
What’s the point in that? Most US citizens can’t even read, write or speak English properly!!
im in the uk we speak "proper" english. i could say the same about americans then couldnt i?
You’re right…it’s alrady in the California constition that its the offical language but it is NEVER enforced!
I am pretty sure that a thorough knowledge of English is required to pass an immegration test. The problem is, not every immegrant enters our country legally.
i have often thought the same thing. our government pays for homes, jobs, and educations for so many of these imigrants, so why can’t they pay for an english tutor while they’re at it?
it already is a law in California.its called prop.22.you brought up a good point considering i am a Hispanic American that doesn’t know Spanish…
Communicating would be so much simpler. I am all for it. My ancestors had to learn English and those coming now should too.
I think that there is already a law like that.
Yup…I do agree!!!
AMENNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!! It’s the most frustrating thing in the whole world!!!! I hate seeing signs in english and spanish. If you’re going to move to our country – at least have the descency to learn our language. It’s completely and totally disrespectful to come to America and not speak our language!! C’mon people!
This is america, a giant melting pot. a free society where it’s citizens are not forced to speak certain languages or to follow a specific religion. If you can’t speak english, you’ll be left out in some ways so just let them know it’s benificial to learn english, just like living in germany, it would help you to know german.
yes
We are not REQUIRED to learn a language in a foreign nation…it just makes dealing with the natives more convenient, and we are at a personal disadvantage without it. Canada deals pretty well with its bilingualism (English and French) so why can’t we accommodate major populations in their native language? We have a greater overall diversity to deal with, and I think we deal with it very well. Unlike other nations, we are a nation wholly of immigrants…and the earlier ones who spoke English are no more valuable than the more recent ones who don’t.
OH HELL YEA MAN!!
i am all for that law,
but ya wanna know the reason why we can’t…
its cuz we actually dont have an "official" language so they cant force people to know it. its so stupid. i did a paper on that last year and it really ticked me off. just go on google and search things like official language of united states (wikipidia will work great too)
yeah I think so the only beef I have with immigrants is that they might not know english if they do I don’t care
YESSS!!!!! DEFINATELY!!! IVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT TOO!
I just came back from Mexico and everyone spoke some English and no, I do not speak Spanish.
You need to look at the history of our great country. We are a place for all people to come and try to live the dream. Lets face it, learning a new language is not easy (that is why I only speak 1).
I think our politicians have enough important things to worry about instead of waisting time on who speaks what language.
It sure would make life alot easier while shopping or going to fast food restaurants
No laws require people to speak the language of the country -ANY where. However ,you are correct that many other countries do not cater to multiple languages – but many do.
I do believe that speaking English should be a requirement to WORK in the U.S.
I think so and they should add one hour of spanish for students from 1st grade to 12th grade in public schools. So we don’t hear people complaining that they don’t know what we say in spanish.
It took me three months to learn english when I got here in 1998. And it was easy for me because I took one hour of english for twelve years in Puerto Rico. It really helps when you have a base.
Mexico doesn’t teach english to their students that’s why sometimes they are here for 20 years and they haven’t learn the english.
I spent a couple of years in Germany and the one thing I liked there is that if you made no effort, you basically get ignored, but when you try (it seems everyone there speaks English & german really) they totally help you. I think learning another language is tough & if here we can help them, we should, but when people come & expect everything to be in their language & don’t make the effort; that drives me insane. I couldn’t even imagine going to another country without making every effort possible to learn their language.
I think people that want to live here should have to learn the language. I don’t understand why all we hear is how illegal immigration is wrong and should not be tolerated and then everywhere you look things are written in spanish or there are spanish choices on telephone automated services….if it is so wrong then why are people encouraging it by accommodating the illegal immigrants by using their language. I know there are some LEGAL spanish speaking immigrants out there too…but the majority are not. And legal immigrants from other countries have never been accommodated in this way, they have had to learn the english language.
Legal immigrants intending on becoming citizens should have a command of the language. You want services – ask for them in English. I don’t care where you are from – we don’t support that here.
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant: It’s just that they know so much that isn’t so."
- Ronald Reagan
I agree Iam married to fillipina she speaks english. But when i get on the bus all i hear is chineseAnd some malls its the same way Some polititions put up posters in other languages. if you cant speak english. how can you vote properly??/
No I don’t think you should be forced to learn the language but I don’t think that government workers should speak other languages ether. It should be up to the person, some people have a hard time learning a new language, and if they have to go to a government office then it should be there responsibility to go prepared with someone that can help them out. I recently moved to a different country and after one year still trying to learn the language, unless you are faced with it, you don’t under stand what people have to go through.
I agree completely! If they would learn English then they would not have to have a translator run around with them to all of the English appointments. I believe that if you want to live in ANY country then you should learn their language. And as far as I know we have been speaking English here in USA since USA was founded. If I wanted to live in Germany then I would learn German so that I could communicate in Germany. If I wanted to live in France then I would learn French so that I could communicate there as well. And so on and so on.
NO
While we are at it I think there should be a law requiring us Southerners to learn and speak English. But, just between you and me, ya might want to "reword" that ‘learn it or leave’ slogan. That "other" time the South tried to leave, it kinda got a little rowdy and a few things got broken,…like families.
To the proud speakers of perfect English, may I implore of you to demonstrate some of the abundant patience that you’ve shown toward us Southerners and allow immigrants at least HALF the time you’ve given us….so far!
Check back in 200 years or so.
I agree. Immigrants knew English was spoken here before they came. Americans are such bleeding hearts they fail to use their brains.