by Robin Degner

Created on: January 27, 2009

I speak fluent French and conversational Spanish, so I fully support learning a second language, and truly believe that Americans shouldn't be content with only knowing one language, even if English is the most commonly-spoken language in the world. That said, I believe that immigrants to the United States should learn to speak English. It's ridiculous to expect another culture to learn your language just because you moved there.

Learning a language is not easy for everyone, but it's an important part of doing well in another culture. If you can't speak the common language, it's harder to buy groceries, order food, get directions and find a job. Sure, in the United States, chances are that if you speak Spanish and only Spanish, it's likely you'll find someone who can help you - sooner or later. But that's not the point.

Presumably, those who came to the United States as immigrants came to make a better life for themselves. The best way to do that is to learn to speak the commonly-spoken language: English. For children, it may be the school's responsibility to teach children to speak the language, but it's the parents responsibility to be a good example.

Ideally, when you visit another country, you know some of the language: hello, good-bye, please and thank you are a good place to start. When you move to another country, it's even more important to speak the language.

There are dozens of ways and places to learn English. Many schools and some adult learning institutes offer English Second language courses. There are CDs, movies and television shows, all of which can help those who don't speak English, learn it.

Today, English may not be required, but it should be. When my grandfather moved to the United States at age 19, he had no choice but to learn English. He learned English so thoroughly that he forgot his native Italian. I do think that immigrants should retain some of their cultural heritage, but by moving to the United States, applying for a green card and assimilating into the culture, you're saying you want to be American. Learning and speaking English is an important and necessary step to becoming American.

Years ago, children were forced to learn English, and though I don't think that's necessary, I do think that children, even those that don't speak any English, should take English second language courses at school and take part of the regular classroom, even if it's only for small parts of the day.

My friends in Paris enrolled all of their children in the public school so they could learn French. They speak English and French at home, but it's only French at school (except for when they're in English classes). They do this so that they can excel in the French culture. And it's the same way for people living in the United States. In order to excel, English is necessary.

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