Solving the world's problems with convoluted logic
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12,921
Likes: 768
From: Clifton, VA
So, Matt, instead of promoting a fear of difference, (and instead of dying young -- before those horrible Spanish speaking bilinguals take over the country) why not learn another language, say Spanish, and become a bilingual speaker, just like a huge majority of the educated population of the earth? Promoting monolingualism for English speakers makes it easier for us to continue the clichėd chauvinism that particularly Americans are sometimes known for. Speaking a single language, no matter which, does not make us better people; but it does tend to make it more difficult to understand other cultures and peoples. And it sometimes even contributes to the kind of religious and cultural intolerance that leads to internecine violence and war.
BTW, English is safe here on these shores. English is not going anywhere.
BTW, English is safe here on these shores. English is not going anywhere.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 45,821
Likes: 8,321
From: Mish-she-gan
I believe that any immigrate who wants to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities in this country has an obligation to learn English ASAP, if for no other reason, than their own well-being!
At the same time, I fully support teaching second languages in school – beginning at the earliest ages – and encouraging visitations to foreign countries to appreciate their culture and language; which in turn I believe will make them appreciate their own country more.
At the same time, I fully support teaching second languages in school – beginning at the earliest ages – and encouraging visitations to foreign countries to appreciate their culture and language; which in turn I believe will make them appreciate their own country more.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 45,821
Likes: 8,321
From: Mish-she-gan
What's the first in Rhode Island?
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 30,113
Likes: 5,451
From: Bondville
Yes Dave it threw me off too, my exact words were as a second language? From what my friends who still live in R.I. say it is looking like Spanish is becoming the 1st language. The house next to my parents in R.I. sold last year and a Spanish family bought it. They all speak Spanish primarily, with the father knowing some English and the mother doesn't speak any English at all however the kids all speak English very fluently so maybe that is the idea behind having English as a second language in school.
Former Moderator
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,122
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From: Houston/Durango
English as a Second Language is technical term for the instruction of anyone who comes to this country speaking another native language and needs to become proficient in English. Such instruction is typically designed and intended for people from any of hundreds of language communities around the world. Instructors are specially trained in contrastive linguistics ; and degrees in 'Teaching English as a Second Language' are offered in the English Department of most major American Universities these days.
