“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” This quote was once said by the late, great South African leader, Nelson Mandela. He learned the Afrikaans language while he was in prison in order to communicate with the white Afrikaner guards. Mandela was imprisoned for standing up against the apartheid government that was committing human rights violations against black South Africans. Fellow prisoners were deeply offended when they heard Mandela speaking the language of their oppressors, but in Mandela's mind, Afrikaners are still Africans, he believes that they are still people of his country, and he really wanted to understand them. Learning the language played an important role in Mandela's walk to freedom. It is evident in his case that learning other languages can be very beneficial, and very rewarding. Today, knowing how to speak, read, and write in languages other than the native tongue gives that person an advantage over those who don't. The United States of America has always been referred to as the “melting pot of the world”, known for welcoming people from different countries, customs, religions, and beliefs. Immigrants come to the US to find new opportunities, and a better way of life. Different races mean diversity in cultures, and languages. For non-English speaking, it poses a big problem. Not being able to communicate using the English language is preventing immigrants to find a better paying job, which in the first place is one of the reasons why they moved to the US. Not only that, but children that are not yet proficient in English are falling behind in school. This is where Bilingual, and English immersion program... ... middle of paper ... ...I Believed That Bilingual Education Was Best ... Until the Kids Proved Me Wrong." Washington Post 3 Sept. 2000. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Bale, Jeff. "Bilingual Education Is the Best Approach for English Language Learners." The U.S. Latino Community. Ed. Margaret Haerens. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "The Fight for Bilingual Education." International Socialist Review (Jan.-Feb. 2010). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Chavez, Linda. "Bilingual Education Is a Failure." Education. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2000. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Is Bilingual Education Failing to Help America's Schoolchildren? Yes: The Agenda of Latino Activists Is Closing the Door on Many Hispanic Children." Insight (3 June 1996). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 Apr. 2014.
Moreover, I believe that there is a solution to this by creating an adult program for non-English speakers to help them learn English and also providing career paths for them to be able to have a good living gain at the end of the programs to be able to provide jobs for them to help feed their
In this country, we live in a mix culture and a mix race. When we walk out in the street, the first thing we notice is people from different ethnicities. The United States has always been the country where we come to make our dreams come true. Yet we never forget the country we came from. The languages is one thing we do not forget about our country but we should also know the English language. In this country it is essential for a person to know 2 or more languages. Regardless of how many languages we know, we all have a language we prefer over the other.
From the time the Pilgrims landed in this great nation at Plymouth Rock, immigrants have been culturally diverse and have spoken many languages. When the Pilgrims arrived in the New World, they did not know how to communicate with the natives. Through intense study the natives learned the Pilgrims’ language. Even with the common language they were still a melting pot of different culture. Some would say that America has gotten over the language/ cultural barriers and now almost everyone speaks the common language of English, but there are still many immigrants who do not know English. Bilingual education is put into public schools for this reason, so that immigrant children can be assimilated to English gradually. The national language should be English instead of the official language because America has prided herself in being very diverse. If we take away the diversity, then we take away the core values that America has always had since her founding.
In the 20th century, the melting pot is not working, and the whole idea is under attack (Evans 76). The United States has changed from a melting pot to a vast culture with varying backgrounds. In years before, America was a collection of Chinese, Germans, Italians, Scots, Croats, etc., all craving freedom. Today, even the simple concept of an English-speaking nation is fading off the continent. In the old days, immigrants were taught in English in the public schools. (76). In America today, children are taught in German, Italian, Polish, and 108 other languages. Most of these schools are funded by 139 million federal dollars.
In recent years, large numbers of immigrants have migrated into the USA from Mexico, Philippine, Vietnam, China, and other counties. As of 2009, immigrants comprised 12.5% (38.5 million) of the total U.S. population (Batalova and Aaron par. 7). In 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau found that 50.4% of children younger than the age of one were Hispanic, black, Asian American, or belonging to other minority groups (Morello and Ted par. 2), and more than 60 million people who are 5 years old and older spoke a language other than English at home (Camille 3). Faced with the cultural diversity brought by immigrants, many nativists worry that the United States will lose the English language as an important core of a common cultural unity. With the help of organizations such as U.S. English and ProEnglish, the English-only movement is experiencing its second resurgence since the 1980’s.
James Fallows, a proponents of having bilingualism in the U.S. Fallows claim that there is no need to declare English as the official language in the U.S. “because it already is that” (263). Fallows argues that English is already the most powerful language in this world, and obviously the immigrants knew that fact. Therefore, bilingual services will not reduce the incentive of immigrants to learn English. However, his argument is not fully correct. From 2000 to 2010, over 9 million immigrants came to America (Camarota). Because of this huge population of immigrants, most of the immigrants merely formed communities within their own ethnic or linguistic groups. In their communities, they can live well by speaking their native languages. Furthermore, when they are facing public problems, they have...
According to the 2011 census, over 20.8 percent of the United States population spoke another language other than English (www.us-english.org). Language barriers, cultural differences, and immigration have been a part of life in the United States for decades. Language is considered a vital tool in the construction of someone’s identity and an expression of culture. In the last 200 years immigrants have chosen to make the United States their home, but some proceeded with caution by slowly adapting to the English language and culture.
Language can bring people together but can also isolate. The United States is known as a melting pot, not only does that refer to culture but also the many different languages. We know of language barriers, but very seldom do we think of the language barriers within our borders. Even with the language barriers it solidifies the need for a national language, the United States of America should allow the freedom to express one’s culture while maintaining English as our national language, therefore offering common ground to its citizens.
The main problem is that a multilingual government is not cheap. Today, our government makes it easy for immigrants to function in their native language. They make it easier through bilingual education, multilingual ballots and driver’s license exams, and government-funded translators in schools and hospitals (Mujica). Not only are these services expensive for American taxpayers, but it also keeps immigrants linguistically isolated. According to the 1990 Census, 13.8 percent of U.S. residents spoke some non-English at home, while 2.9 percent did not speak English at all or not well (Mount). There was a 52 percent increase in those who could not speak English in 2000 (Mujica).
These people will not be able to rise in their employment level and will be stuck working only with their fellow immigrants. They will have to find a person who can translate their language to others and get the services, such as medical assistance, they need, very much complicating all they do. Immigrants who have learned the English language have more respect in society. They get higher positions in jobs quickly, depending on their knowledge and also they can work as language translators for other immigrants who don’t speak English. This could actually be a job category with growth. Knowing English helps immigrants feel less isolated from their new community of English-speakers. They are able to socialize, make purchases, and function daily with their neighbors, their teachers, and their colleagues at
Although some people believe the entire world should speak English, the reality is that all Americans should have some degree of formal education in a foreign language. Foreign language skills could have a positive impact on race relations in America. The number of minorities in America is rapidly increasing. In fact, "minority" groups will soon form a collective "majority" of the citizens of America. Considering the fact that many minority groups speak English as a second language and America has no official language, compulsory foreign language classes are viable options.
Actually, the majority of people in the world “speak 1.69 languages- not high enough to conclude that the average person is bilingual” (source C). Having the ability to communicate in one language can help others communicate in everyday life from walking through town and shopping to making deals in business. Having a society that is monolingual can improve economies and relations throughout the world. Also, there was a survey in 2007 to determine the number of 5 year olds and older who spoke a language other than English at home. Out of the 280,950,438 people, 225,505,953 of them spoke only English at home (source E). This means that again 20% of people spoke a language other than English at home. English is a popular language, not just in English speaking countries, but also in countries that it is not the primary language. As the world changes, English becomes more and more of a necessity for society to communicate. As time progresses, English may be the only language needed to communicate more for people around the world. Through the globalization of the English language, its effects would greatly improve society by shortening time lost in language barriers and improve understandings of
English is, almost certainly, the most important subject that a child can learn in school. Without knowing proper English, a child will not be able to communicate effectively with the English speaking nation. They would be shut off from education and other people in this country. A person who does not poses proper English limits his or her ability to achieve their highest potential. Knowledge of the English language is important to learn to be able to communicate with others, in the teaching of immigrant students, and in finding and maintaining a job.
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language that goes to his heart.” ‒ Nelson Mandela. Since the 1960’s learning a second language has decreased by 30 percent in today’s society. People who wish to learn an additional language often do so to communicate with people who reside in different countries. With an increase in today’s globalization, it is forcing companies throughout the world to break the language barrier. However, with the advancement of technology, numerous citizens find it unnecessary to learn another language, as a translation is at the tip of their fingers. The methods of learning a foreign language can differentiate between people. Nevertheless it has been
America, a country built on immigration dating back to the early 1600s Mayflower voyage, continues to thrive as a melting pot full of various cultures and ethnicities. In the past, many immigrants came to America due to the offered freedoms and equality, yet today, many naturalized citizens suffer with injustices, including with educational practices. The use of bilingual education, which teaches students in both English and their native language, has become a controversial topic. In 1968, the Bilingual Education Act, which recognized and offered education to students who were lacking English, was passed, yet the topic still seems questionable to some. Bilingual education provides a variety of beneficial attributes to help foreigners by improving their lives as native speakers, with education benefits, health benefits, and future opportunities.