Comments on: Should Americans Learn Spanish?

By: Learn Spanish in Mexico

Learn Spanish in Mexico — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:29:24 +0000

I actually run a Spanish school in Mexico and I agree with the previous poster in that it should not be a requirement for Americans to learn Spanish, just the same way that the U.S. does not have an “official” language. For many people learning another language is a waste of time since they have no intention of going to another country, or in many cases will never leave their state. Their time would be better spent learning something they could use.

By: payday loan advance

payday loan advance — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:04:48 +0000

I think they sould ONLY if they are going to move to a country were they speak spanish but other wise NO… I had to learn English when I move down to the US I think is a good thing that people know two lenguages that makes them better an also gains more opportunities

By: Che @ spanish language software

Che @ spanish language software — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:39:39 +0000

There are so much world conflict these days. We must have equal vision, treating one another as our own brother whatever the race is.

Regarding bilingualism and multilingualism, it is really great for our children. It boost people’s confidence and they would reap the opportunity when they grow up like advantages in career opportunity.

We must become open to other cultures and we must try to learn all things as possible but we must do it with an open mind.

And much important is that we must teach our kids to love one another whatever the language and the color of the skin.

By: Kate

Kate — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:09:24 +0000

I believe that the issue with learning Spanish or being required to do to to work in this country, isn’t a matter of prejudice, at least not against Spanish Speaking people. You say, prejudice against arabic speaking or japanese or….etc, but how often do you read over a job that says ‘Must speak Arabic. Must speak Japanese.’

I want to get a job as a secretary. I’ve been trying for quite some time, and I find it very difficult to get one because I don’t speak Spanish. Although the U.S. is a big melting pot of different cultures, fifteen years ago, you wouldn’t see ‘must speak Spanish’ on hardly any jobs. Now that more people, who speak spanish, are in the States, the people in the states, or who have been in the states, are being forced to conform in order to get a job. Now I see people say, Hey, just go learn spanish. That would be a very large percentage of people in the states. Wouldn’t you say that ‘hey, go learn English’ would be be the same, if not better, considering this, or at least was, a primary English speaking country?

You don’t go to germany and expect to get many jobs if you can’t speak German, or even to Mexico and expect to get far not speaking their language.

I don’t believe I should have to be bilingual to have a job, just as I don’t believe that a spanish speaking person shouldn’t to get one.

I don’t consider myself prejudiced. I love all the cultures, learning about them and understanding the ways of the world, but at the same time, I find that I’m very frustrated because someone who doesn’t speak english, gets my job, because I don’t speak spanish. It’s not a 50-50 split. It’s..learn spanish, or be unemployed in a primarily English speaking country.

If I could afford to go to Mexico or Spain and immerse myself so that I can learn in optimal conditions, I would. But how can I even take a class at a school if I can’t get a job to pay for it?
Maybe the job people who require you to have languages should be responsible for educating their employees, much in the way that they further your education of their techniques, onces you’re on the payroll.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:07:31 +0000

Learning Spanish or any language will definitely improve your personality development. When you learn a second language you will be able to educate yourself about other cultures, either while traveling or communicating with people from different countries.
I’m Belgian and do speak 5 languages. So where ever i go, i can express myself and communicate with other people.
Learning a language should never be regarded as “loosing your own way of live”
Regarding spanish: i learned it in Spain. i went to a nice and friendly Spanish language school in Nerja,Málaga, Southern Spain. I can recommend it 100%. So anybody who’s planning to have vacation ánd learn Spanish at the same time, i give you the url of this school: http://www.quorumspain.com
Best regards,
Marc

By: language learning spanish

language learning spanish — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:39:18 +0000

language learning spanish

Nice ,keep up the good work ,waiting for the next update..

By: Selma Moura

Selma Moura — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:11:07 +0000

The answer for most of the questions is: Prejudice.

People who think that Spanish-speaking citizens in the US should be forced to speak only English or leave the country simply have prejudice against any differences. I’m sure they would have the same prejudice against other populations: Japanes speaking people, Arabic speaking people, and so on.

What’s behind this attitude of prejudice is two things:

1) Fear of losing a way of life they enjoy

2) Beeing insecure about their own value, having low self-esteem. To reinforce what they think it’s their strenghts they try to highlight what they consider other peoples weakness.

In many countries parents are discovering the benefits of bilingualism and multilingualism for their children’s intelligence and social skills. People all over the workd are interested in learning other languages and cultures. Why should americans deny this reality?

So, I think americans “shouldn’t learn Spanish”. They should be open to other cultures, planguages and people, and choose if they’re willing to learn more about them. Even if they choose not to, they must think better about their personal reasons against bilingualism and multiculturalism, developing a democratic view of the world.

Best regards,

Selma Moura
Brazilian, living in Brasil.
Visit my blog: http://educacaobilingue.blogspot.com