Do you think people that live in your country should have to learn the language?

United States
January 30, 2007 10:13pm CST
Do you think people that live in your country should have to learn the language? There are a lot of people in my country that don't speak English, but they get away with not learning it. You can live in communities where everyone speaks your native language. These people never truly learn English and that can cause a problem. What do you think?
31 people like this
171 responses
@lauriefnp (5111)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I feel very strongly that people who come to the U.S. should be required to try to learn English. Every city has free classes to teach English as a second language, and I think that taking these classes and passing a basic proficiency exam should be mandatory. If somebody wants to live in the U.S., they should do all that is required to integrate themselves into OUR society and not set up smaller versions of their hometowns within our country. I know that in my city we have several neighborhoods where people speak only Spanish; all of the stores and restaurants have signs in Spanish and bilingual staff to accommodate them. Why doesn't the U.S. mandate them to learn English and refuse to renew their visas or green cards if they do not comply? I know that many would say that this sounds harsh, and maybe it is. But if I moved to Germany, would they cater to me and be sure that I had English-speaking people all around me? NO. They would show me to the nearest International Institute where I could learn to speak the language of the country...
3 people like this
• United States
31 Jan 07
those are some good points. Lets see what others have to say as well. I do think people should make an effort to learn the language of the country in which they live.
2 people like this
• Pakistan
31 Jan 07
People which come to our country need not necessarily to learn our language because english is used globally at this time.
@paulnet (748)
• India
31 Jan 07
i agree with you but i want to add here that we are now having a universal language and that is English so there is no problem if one stays in US or any other country. But if you learn their local language it basically helps you to know the customs and society of their country.
• Philippines
31 Jan 07
Hi! i think people from whatever country they belong should learn English as a secondary language aside from their native language because it is considered to be a universal language. Its the only language wherein all people all around the world can communicate. Its really difficult of people dont know how to speak english but i cant blame other countries why there citizens dont know how to speak english because it was never a part of their school curriculum. Some countries prefer nationalism wherein there citizens should only learn their language and not the others. With the changes today, more and more countries are including english in their school curriculum and thats why even young children can speak this language very well. I guess its a good thing for everyone to learn to speak english. Im happy because people in my country is very good in speaking this language and it has been a part of our school curriculum ever since.
@gberlin (3836)
31 Jan 07
I would think that if I was planning on living in a foreign country I would learn the language. My sister lives in Japan and she learned the language and even teaches English at a college in her town. She is married to a Japanese man. He speaks English and in fact works as a translator. I don't know how my sister would be able to live without learning the language. So I agree, you should learn the language of the country you live in. However, my grandma, who immigrated from Italy, never learn to speak English. I think she could understand it but my dad always spoke to her in Italian and they lived in an Italian neighborhood in Chicago with a little Italian grocery store on the corner. She came to the US in 1929. I think that it is imperative now that a person learn the language of the country they live. It is almost like a common courtesy to make the effort.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Jan 07
I know what you mean. Many people of the older generations never had to learn English. Like you said, they had kids that spoke English and their language, lived in a neighborhood with other immigrants and had stores where those immigrants worked. Unless you left your neighborhood, you didn't really need to know English.
• Philippines
31 Jan 07
of course how can you communicate with the people around you if you dont know that language.
1 person likes this
@msqtech (15074)
• United States
31 Jan 07
knowing the language and being required to use the correct language is very different
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
31 Jan 07
My parents did not learn to speak English straight away - they even worked with people who spoke their language when they immigrated here. They just didn't have enough time to go to learn English in the early years because they were busy working their arses off to support a family. I know people looked down on them for that and even thought they were stupid. If not learning English causes the person a problem, then they will eventually learn out of necessity. I just think a lot of the time, people who speak ONLY English have a hard time listening to people speak in other languages in what they perceive to be "their" country.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Jan 07
I don't look down on people who aren't speaking english, but I do think if they are out in public enough and watch TV, they will pick it up. Now since they are catering so much to non english speaking, we have special channels on TV, special news hours , cartoons and more. With all these available special things for non english speaking Americans, how can we ever expect them to learn or even want to. I do get upset when in a store and there is a group of non english speaking people around me. They are usually loud, I guess they are having a good time, or are they making fun of me. Unless I try to learn their language, I'll never know.
3 people like this
• Grand Junction, Colorado
31 Jan 07
I was visiting down in the Bay Area here in CA and driving around down their the street signs were in several different languages. I as a tax payer don't feel that I should have to foot the bill for this, if you come to this country to live and work you need to learn the language. Sorry if that is harsh, but as mentioned before when going to other countries they don't cater to us unless you are staying in resort areas where they are catering to English speaking people, who are supporting the local economy. If I were moving to another country that's primary language wasn't English I would certainly learn enough to be able to get around.
@altari (23)
• United States
31 Jan 07
When my grandfather came here in the 30s, he was required to learn English before he could attend school. Speaking strictly for the US, don't you think it is rather ridiculous that people can come here, illegally, and except those who were born here to cater to them? I see this every day at my job, and other local establishments are making it harder and harder for those who are not Spanish/English bilingual to get a job. If you travel to other countries, you are expected to learn the language, yet Americans are demonized for expecting the same.
12 Feb 07
Yes, I most certainly think that people who live in the UK should be expected to learn the language. This is not some reactionary standpoint but common sense. If we are to be a country of immigration we should start adopting the rules and customs of a country of immigration. There is nothing wrong with expecting people to speak the language of the country they choose to live in.
• United States
12 Feb 07
I agree with you about nothing being wrong with expecting people to speak the language of the country they choose to live in. They key word being choose to live in. For whatever reason, they moved, so they should make at least an effort to try to learn the language.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Feb 07
Picture - Picture of a Tree surrounded by Currency
Ya I think it is necessary for their survival, if they are living their for doing job or business. They must need that language to communicate and deal their customer, It will help them to grow very fast in the community and feel free to live among the people as the part of that community.
1 person likes this
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I saw a lot of this in San Diego County; places like Yorba Linda and Bario Logan where the older people and even some of the 20-something crowd didn't speak any English. Part of that was the area, almost all Hispanic. If you moved to another country you would have to learn the language to survive, get a job and function. There are so many places where people can get helping learning the language but they don't. Part of that might be embarassment but I think most of it is that it's just easier to float with a certain crowd and live in a specific area.
1 person likes this
@nuffsed (1271)
31 Jan 07
It is a shame that this is so. It just reinforces the ghetto nad creates a divided society. I would prefer laws to combat this lazy way.
@ILANEDRI (1921)
• Israel
4 Mar 07
In my country there are a lot of people from all around the world. The highest population is Russian and Ukrains. We have a lot of them here. The problem is that a lot of them don't speak Hebrew so good, and they rather to use Russian or Ukrain. Now, I don't care about it, but when they are approaching to talk with me, they starting the conversation with their language, and I tell them that I can't understand them. I don't know why this people don't start the main language in my country. Life could be much more easier for them.
1 person likes this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
31 Jan 07
Yes I do think they should learn English in United States before they can have citizenship. They should be offered classes at which they could attend to learn.
1 person likes this
• Pakistan
31 Jan 07
Well in my country, Urdu is the native language and that is one language that most people speak in my country, however english is also widely used here and most people can speak it. I however feel that even if I don't how to speak english, I can still get on with it. English is a global language and more and more people are learning it everyday :)
1 person likes this
@RNUH3290 (19)
• Philippines
31 Jan 07
Definitely! If you want to communicate to lots of different people, you must learn the English Language.
1 person likes this
• India
31 Jan 07
i think that in most of the countries all over the world english proves to be a very useful language.majority of the people all over the world have accepted english as the global language.i m an indian and in india also there is great demand for people knowing and speaking english.in my country a person who knows english is always socially and professionally regarded much better than the person who does not know it.a person knowing english alwaz gets greater job opportunities than the person not knowing english,in most of the fields.so in my view it is a compultion for every indian to learn english.same is the case in most of the countries.
• Pakistan
4 Mar 07
Yes absolutely they should learn native language of the country they are going.To me its just like a home work.Atleast they should learn some basic words to communicate with others otherwise they would be isolated in that particular country and that would be a tough going for them. Some years back i was only 14 and i went to France with my parents just for holidays.I wasnt aware of French except one word "Bonjour" that is "Good morning"...Oh i forgot..i think this is what it meant..anyways I felt being isolated i could not speak to anyone as majority of French ppl are not aware of any other language except French.But it was a pretty good trip on the whole if we keep away the communication point..
1 person likes this
@budsr03 (2350)
• Canada
31 Jan 07
Yes, I think the least they could do is learn english. I was born in Canada, brought up speaking english. I have been discriminated against by people who are immigrants from eastern countries. Figure that one out! Take care Rachel.
@sarkar1 (336)
• India
31 Jan 07
I hope you mean the national language and not the native language.... because in my country(India) the native language is different for each state and there is a sum total of about 60 different languages..........hence it would be quiet impossible to learn all the languages............ my strong suggestion is to prioritaize--- if you are visiting a country for a holiday you need not learn the whole language, just few important words would suffice, but if you want to settle in a country you atleast need to learn the basics of the language.
• United States
31 Jan 07
I agree. If you are just visiting for vacation you should at least learn a few words to help you get around.
@minerc (1373)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I think that if you go to another country, especially to live that you should learn there language to me it is a disrespect. I shouldnt have to learn another language for people that have come from other countries.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Jan 07
I think that it would be good if they learned the language. If they don't it seems to cause a large communication barrier in all areas & that's not good for either side. I just think it would be nice if it was mandatory for people from other countries to learn the language if they are going to be living in a country that isn't their native tongue.
1 person likes this
@nw1911guy (1131)
• United States
1 Feb 07
I truly believe that to gain citizenship in this country that it should be required that your speak read and write english or be over a certain age. Just my feelings on it.
• United States
2 Feb 07
Ok, but to what extent should you be able to read, and write the language? That is a gray area.
1 Feb 07
Yes. Otherwise they use it to get away with things and feel that this is there ticket to lameville. i'm not saying everyone does this but those who live next door expect us to believe they don't speak although they live here and go to work. There just lame. i think they should be allowed to speak there home language but personally not to talk secretly. ~Joey
@Tarrish (562)
• United States
2 Feb 07
If you're worried about people talking about you or others why don't you learn the language? That would fix that problem.