Hi Miquel,

I think that Latino children should be able to learn English in a comfortable atmosphere, which would include hearing the spanish language being spoken in schools.

Thanks for all of your other reports too. You're a great asset to NBC.

Vicki

My first language was Spanish because my mom is from Mexico. Once I started school, I remember that English was very easy for me to learn and I love knowing two languages. The elementary school I went to offered bilingual classes and I feel they are important for any student who doesn't fully understand English.

What I admire about other countries (like France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, others) is that they require their students to learn two languages...their native language and a second language which is usually English. I would love to see something like that happen here in the U.S. Give the opportunity for non-English speakers to learn English while the other students learn a 2nd language.

The issue of latino numbers being dismal in higher education is very concerning. My parents instilled the value of higher education into me and my 3 siblings...we all started college but only 1 has graduated. The 3 of us who didn't finish were just sidetracked by life.

AMERICA this is where ENGLISH is the language.
Why should we change? I have no problem with others coming to our country BUT keep it that way our country.

If Mexican's want to live in in America they should be required to learn,read and speak our language. This should law if we go to there to live we should learn to speak theirs, you have to to get by.

My daughter goes to Collinswood here in Charlotte.  One of the things that the segment missed was those of us who are white that chose to send our kids there because we want our childern to speak a second language from an early age.  My daughter has become quite fluent in Spanish.  As a result this has really helped her understand the workings of English.  Learning a second language really helps one understand their own primary language.

Here's the piece no one seems to be talking about.  Children who were born in the United States are not being taught two languages either.  I was born in the United States and now find that because I do not speak Spanish I am not eligible for many jobs that I normally would be qualified for.  My children, who were born in the United States, are not being taught Spanish, and so children who come here from Latin countries, who are being taught English, have an advantage over those of us who were born here and do not speak Spanish.  I am being pushed out of jobs and so will be my children.  I think we should be teaching ALL children both languages, then not only will they be more equally educated, but maybe there will not be so much of a divide between the two cultures.  

Let's think what we are denying kids and teenagers by not making education bilingual.

Hadn't had taken English all through school as a kid and a teenager in Argentina where I'm from, I wouldn't have become as good a contributor to this country and its culture I love, as I am.

Think China, Japan, South Korea. Think Scandinavia and the Netherlands. Think Switzerland.

I belive in Americans. Period. :)

Well my daughter is a Latino Student here in the US and I seriously think that she is doing great. Her report cards came in five days ago and she had all A's. I think if teachers put more attention into the Hispanics, they can surprise people.

I recently moved to Miami Beach from Chicago, and as an english speaking only adult man I can attest to this problem. In America, where english is our language, if someone cannot speak our language they should not be given citizenship to our Country. Defining our Country includes "our" language. It is descriminatory to "our" Country when natural born citizens of this Country cannot get work because they don't speak Spanish. But in our socialist world we currently live in, where everyone seems to want to stand for everything equal, but really stands for nothing, chaos will eventually break down the house that has no foundation. English is and should be our only National language, and if those who come to our Country doesn't want to learn it and communicate with "us" in our Country, they should not be given citizenship. It is foolish to even consider forcing American children to learn another language, it should be an option only.

I think that it is a wonderful step forward for American school systems to adopt a bilingual curriculum.  This would not only help Latino students reach academic success, but it will help other students broaden their horizons and become more cultured.  I attended schools in Fairfax Co., VA and graduated from high school in 2001, I would have loved a bilingual program and think that it would have been a great benefit to me in college and beyond.  

I find it both entertaining and disheartening to hear the former Sec. of Education defend a program, No Child Left Behind, and do it so seriously!  Teachers are faced with getting results, results, results, and as she said, it doesn't matter how they are achieved.  The comical part is this comment is being made by part of an administration that has weakened our economy and thus taking money AWAY from education, sparing teachers the resources to achieve these results! I'm confused.  So teachers are supposed to achieve much greater results, requiring additional supplemental materials and stronger interventions, yet are supplied with LESS money in order to achieve these goals.  Good luck with that!

This is America!! When our ancestors came over on the boat, they were not greeted in there own language! They had to learn English on their own.  If you want to live in America, you need to speak American. Why should we hold our children back so the non speaking child can go to school first?  In Dale tx.  My cousin will not be able to attend pre K because there is so many illegals that the system wants to go to school first!  How would you feel if your English speaking child was held back in a American school. Doesnt make since does it?

this issue begins at home - the Latino families need to make sure English is being taught and used in the homes to prepare the children for school and to use in the main stream of society in the US - if Engish lessons are needed - then this shuld be the responsibility of the Latino parents - not at the expense of the school system and the public;  In America - we should speak English as the first language and should be a necessity/mandatory to enter school;  having another language skill is a plus.  In Japan - Japanese is the first language and they require their students to take English and/or another language - no exceptions.

When in Rome, do as the Romans! You come to OUR Country, AMERICA, Land of the FREE, Home of the BRAVE. You want our jobs, you want our medical facilities, you want our welfare, free food, cash for emergencies, credit cards and even Social Security, Great..SPEAK ENGLISH!! There should be a law where if you plan to live here you must at least speak enough English to make the purchase (all the way, from looking to closing), if you haven't attempted to learn English to show you really want to be an American, then GO HOME!!

USA education should be based on English ONLY!

Hispanics are not the only people who migrate from another country.My husband is from Greece,did they  offer classes in Greek? He learned how to speak english. If they are not going to do it for ALL other languages,then it should be english only.

She started out when she was in preschool. She still was taught mostly spanish in Puerto Rico. Now, when she started grade school she had all day English classes in all the subjects and one hour of Spanish. Even for the kids who spoke english. They all learned a new language and could communicate in different ways with her classmates. Then, we moved to Ohio where it was all English and she was doing great from the start. She is in a Gifted Program now and I hope by reading this you will see if we put more attention to hispanics they can turn out very smart and help the US's dream of education.

This is a tough debate, but I do think that it's in everyone's best interest to have educated American citizens who can give back to their various communites.  With that being said, I also think it's important that those who want to reap the benefits of our public education system must contribute to it.  It's not fair for anyone, regardless of their cultural heritage, to take from the system when they are not paying taxes and complying with the guidelines for American citizenship.

I strongly DO NOT agree with teaching kids bilingual education.It should be a personal choice if you want to learn another language.
If Hispanice ppl are having search a hard time with english there's so many places that they can go to learn it.
Many of these ppl choose not to learn english. I knew someone that was born and raised here and didn't know english well 'cause at home the family only spoke spanish so in turn she had to go back to school to learn english in order to get through school.To make matters worse she's not even first generation american.
Learn ENGLISH this isn't puerto rico or mexico.

Was disappointed to hear the comments on bilingual schools. In Canada we have had bilingual schools for over a decade.  My son is a graduate of a french immerson school progamm. Whenever he applies for a position in the work force and states he is bilingual 9 time out 10 he is always offered a position.  He is presently working for a HR firm and handles all french inquiries that comes into the firm. As a graduate of an immersion program he talks about the benefits and how his grades improved.  He was taught in french with an English component.  Our family is not french but this was a program that interested him. The regular school system did not stimulate him enough and he found this more challenging.  

In Canada it is common to have immerson schools.  We now have immerson schools in British Colombia in Chinese and Japanese.  Children at an early age can and do learn a second or 3rd language with no difficulty.
Get with the program.

Was disappointed to hear the comments on bilingual schools. In Canada we have had bilingual schools for over a decade.  My son is a graduate of a french immerson school progamm. Whenever he applies for a position in the work force and states he is bilingual 9 time out 10 he is always offered a position.  He is presently working for a HR firm and handles all french inquiries that comes into the firm. As a graduate of an immersion program he talks about the benefits and how his grades improved.  He was taught in french with an English component.  Our family is not french but this was a program that interested him. The regular school system did not stimulate him enough and he found this more challenging.  

In Canada it is common to have immerson schools.  We now have immerson schools in British Colombia in Chinese and Japanese.  Children at an early age can and do learn a second or 3rd language with no difficulty.
Get with the program.

No bilingual education. America must remain America not bend its rules and regulation to one growing immigrants population. What will happen when the Asian population rises should we then teach chinese/korean in our schools?

If my 76yrs old mother born an orphan, never attended even a kindergaten school can learn English at age 65, any one can learn English. If hispanics students are failing it is not the language that is the problem, it is likely other factors; poverty, poor parenting, lack of effort and resourcefullness.

The cost to society in implementing bilingual is astronomical in a society where other social amenities are suffering. Bilingual education creates substandard educational situation. Universities and corporate America is English only. Learn English now or remain inferior later.

In addition, Parents that are not hispanics like myself definnitely will not stop the world to teach my kids a language I know nothing about. I have 4 other languages that I speak, none taught in America.

Many hispanics are becoming successful today not because they got substandard education of bilingual but by facing the ringer like everyone else with hardwork, determination and resourcefullness.  

If the data schools are analysing and "No Child Left Behind" legislation is prompting the question "Why don't our Hispanic students receive Bilingual Education?" then I am very happy.  As students grow older they take pride in their heritage and native language. This helps them become a fabric of our American society.  As an American, I commend educational systems across the country for celebrating language differences and for realizing that we now live in one world where many languages are spoken.  Our education should not be a barrier but a bridge to communication with more people around the world.  I sincerely hope that our ignorance of the past on this subject does not pervail.

Ithink they should be taught in English only. If we went to their country we would be at a disadvantage and they would not make special accomadations for us or childern in their school systems, so why should we accomadate them. If you are going to stay in this country learn to speak English.

As a sixth grade teacher in a school system that is emmersed with many hispanics, I agree that something needs to be done to help students learn the material needed, whether it is in Spanish or English.Tutoring, extra English classes, something. However, do other countries teach bilingually because their students do not speak the language of their country?
Secondly, I don't agree with Mrs. Spelling statement that all hispanics want the American dream. I recently had a hispanic family tell me that the American education system was ruining their children.
How about that ???
I have found in the area that I live that some hispanic families do not seem to value the education they are receiving and don't even try to learn the English language. I'm all for being proud of where you come from and who you are, but you also have to help yourself learn new things and can't expect everyone around to accommodate to you.
Lastly, everyone knows that are country is into this big testing thing and leaving no child behind. But, how can you expect a student who does not speak or know English very well to take and pass an exam that is only English?

Do these experts forget what our country was built upon?  People didn't come to this country already knowing how to speak English, they came with their own languages, cultures, and customs.  When they were educated they were given an education in their language.  Granted at the time they were studying mainly the Bible, but it was in their language, not just English.  So why now do we have to teach students in only one language?  It obviously isn't helping the Latino students to learn in only English so why is it so difficult to allow these students the opportunity to be taught in their home language?  They will succeed, flourish, and be able to make a positive contribution to our country's future.  

I believe if you come to this country, then our official language is English. You need to learn the language. You don't see other countries conforming to us when we visit them to require them to speak English. If you visit Italy, then you learn a little of the language to get around. I'm sick and tired of America conforming to immigrants that come to this country. As I see more and more business like Lowe's that now have everything in English and Spanish, makes me not want to do business there, or shop, or spend my American dollars. I'm fifty years old, and I don't intend on learning another language at this stage of my life.

Bilingual education is a drain on our already cash straped education system. Our country and our economic system as well as our entire social system is english language based. The english language is also the prevelent language spoken world wide in the "global economy". Today we want a bilingual sytem, next it's tri-lingual the quad-lingual etc. We have always had imegrants that spoke a different language, but, they soon learned to merge into our culture and language. To perpetuate their native languge helps no one. Look no further than your own Natalie Morales. If she were'nt highly proficient in the English language she wouldn't be where she is today.

I'm a Latina that is in school and has a Spanish class and its sad because my friend goes to a different school and is a full Mexican but does not no one word of Spanish because they don't have Spanish classes at her school.I think that kids should have a chance to learn different languages and should be able to choose if they want to learn that language or not.I did two polls at my school for my grade(fourth grade).One is asking if they want to continue having Spanish and the result was  78% yes 22% no.The other was for Hispanics and was asking if they knew Spanish and sadly 90% said no and 10% said yes.please keep Spanish in our schools.

I do not think kids should be taught Spanish in schools. This is the USA and our official language is English. If you come to this country you should have to learn to speak our language. I lived in Texas for a little over a year and my son was in third grade. He went to a public school. He was the only child in his class that spoke English as a first language.The teacher did not speak Spanish?? Why would these children have to go thru this? My son sat around all day not learning because the teacher was so busy trying to help the Spanish speaking children. There was a mandatory parents meeting for the upcoming TAKS test and when I attended there was one other English speaking parent there. The principal conducted the meeting in Spanish? The handouts were in Spanish? I thought for a minute I was in a dream? I think it is detrimental to kids to make them struggle in school.

Make sure you have the right information before you report it:


1- At Collinswood, science is taught in English and social studies/ history is taught in Spanish.

2-  We have less English learners than comparably sized schools in the system. This is a school for all students who want to be proficient- reading, writing and speaking- in two languages.
       
       Many Hispanics speak the language but do not know how to read or write it.  This is something that typically happens in school, not at home.  Here we get the best of everything.

3-  We happen to be one of the high scoring schools in the CMS system and testing is still done in English.

BTW our family is not Hispanic.

I believe that that this country should still be english taught only. I was totally upset when they tried to vote spanish as the number 1 language in Miami, FL. This is the United States, an english speaking country. I find it rude and offensive when I go to certain establishments and they speak to each other in their own language in front of me. How they speak to each other when they are by themselves is their perogative. It should be mandatory that people of a different cultures learn and have to speak English in public. This country should not have to accomodate other languages. Immigrants have been coming here for hundreds of years and learned to speak english. If they choose to live here they should have to accomodate the language of this country.  My grandparents came from Italy.  My grandfather was 11 my grandmother was 2.  Like all the immigrants of the time, they learned to speak English. Also, the children learned english in school and they in turn taught their parents properly at home.  My grandparents continued to speak italian in their home to teach their children, but also spoke english for themselves and the children. So they each had the benefits of both languages. But when out in public they spoke english.  So why should it be any different now than it was then?  

From being a child who grew up with most around her speaking english I think the thought can go each way.  There were many times when my teachers where not comfortable teaching in english so they switched to spanish.  I was left at the disadvantage due to not speaking english.  My parents also had to scrape and sacrifice to send my sisters and I to private school until 3grade because my elementry school did not teach classes in english until then and the school district would not let us go to another school.  Why should those of us who speak english have to suffer because a group also wants things in spanish.  If I moved to germany or France would they make special considerations for me... NO!  I would be expected to learn that language.  Why is not the same here.  

Not only is bilingual or dual language education important for Latino students, but it is also significant for all students.  Who would not be benefitted by learning and knowing two languages from a young age?  Not only is it an asset, but it is fair.

Let's also not forget that the United States does not and has never had an official language.  

At this time in history it is in everyone's best interest to learn English.  It is used worldwide in business, science, and aviation to name a few.  It is an extremely common second languauge around the globe.  Basically, English is to now what Greek was in ancient times.  With that said, whatever teaching technique works, that's the one that should be used.  Just so long as performance in English is the most important metric used to evaluate a student.

I don't think there should be a combination of both languages in schools where you split your day between the two.  As my ancestors did before them, the Latinos that haven't learned English yet should LEARN IT.  Just because there are more of them now is NO EXCUSE.  

Why should my children be forced to learn Spanish (under the guise that knowing more than one language is beneficial) when my family already speaks three of them?  I understand it’s not the norm for a family to speak three languages, but you would be forcing my children to learn a language on top of the languages of THEIR cultures and nation without their consent!  

My children would rather learn Japanese than Spanish because of their interests, so why is Spanish more important than their ancestors languages or the other cultures they enjoy when they already speak the language of THIS country?

If you want to set up an after-school class to help the Latinos having trouble, keep up with the ENGLISH-speaking population by giving them extra help in their native tongue, fine.  But it should be funded from their pockets if they want the help.  To force another language on the rest of the country because one group is having problems learning in school is ridiculous and inappropriate.

I understand that there are a lot of Hispanics in this country, but my Grandparents had to learn ENGLISH even though their first language was German and.  Why don't we teach in Vietnamese, Bosnian, French, German, Italian, Gaelic, etc?  They are all languages of immigrants too, just not as many at this time.  And they didn't have the benefits of TV to learn English.

All I could say is be very, VERY careful.  I grew up in the province of Quebec, Canada, where bilingualism hogs and consumes the national agenda for the sake of the 25%-or-so of the Canadian population that is mother tongued in French, 95% of them living in Quebec.

What has happened over the years as a result of this?  I'll tell you.  Quebec has EXCLUDED AND STRIPPED itself it any English language status.  French and French only is the official language of Quebec.  English instructional schools, since 1977, have been systematically eliminated because immigrants, even from English-speaking nations like the US, UK and Australia, are forbidden access to English instructional schools in Quebec.  The English schools are primarily for descendants of English Quebecers whose parent(s) received their elementary schooling, IN ENGLISH, AND IN QUEBEC.  Finally, that portion of the language law was challenged for its constitutionality, and was defeated, meaning children being educated in English in other Canadian provinces must not be denied access to English schools in Quebec.

Enough of the education system.  The language law has achieved its objectives in other ways, mostly making French the everyday language of work and life in Quebec.  English NEVER prevented that in the first place.  Our Constitution of 1982, and its forerunner, the British North America Act of 1867, protected and accommodated French in the legislature, education and in other ways.

That wasn't good enough for Quebec.  They felt "the English" oppressed them in every way when the real culprit of their suppression was the Roman Catholic Church.  Without getting into minute details, the Church promoted the primarily Roman Catholic, white and French-speaking population to settle for being the "small bread" of society while the English-speaking and predominantly Protestant minority lived by the "work hard and prosper" work ethic.  The result was a wealthy minority population that was primarily English-speaking, and the French speakers couldn't stand it anymore despite their blind obedience of their Church, coupled with their own politicians who took advantage of their ignorance created this economic chasm.  "The English" and other minorities became the enemy, the scapegoats of their perceived "lower class".  French Quebec underwent what became known as the "Quiet Revolution" of the 1960s.  French Quebecers abandoned the teachings of the Church in droves, better educated themselves and started to achieve a higher social status.

What then happened was the Quebec Government started to nationalize a plenitude of private businesses, wresting them from "the damned English" and ensuring that only their own filled the "English" vacuum.  The number of English schools has dropped by over two-thirds since the language legislation of 1977, and English-speaking people have been reverted to second class.

Outside Quebec, federal government jobs are going primarily to French speakers, especially where bilingual positions are being demanded.  Seems the English rarely speak "good enough" French to assume those positions.  God knows, I tried, and in my current private sector position IN TORONTO, I speak French at least half the time, often more!  French is NOT widely spoken in Toronto, but we have a bilingual team to take care of the minority who prefer to be served in French.

Now that I've given you a brief history of bilingualism in Canada, or at times the defiant actions of the minority, consider this a warning.  

I don't know HOW the Hispanic minority will defy mainstream and English-speaking America, but I guarantee you that if you're too accommodating, this WILL manifest into increased expectations of the Hispanic population.  It's a reeking can of worms you're playing with, and as sure as the sun will rise and set tomorrow and every tomorrow after that, it will happen.  Give 'em an inch and they'll grab the ruler!

That's my story, that's my warning to America.  The rest is up to you, and proof positive, free trade works.  I just gave you, America, a free eye opener.  No need to thank me, but you WILL take heed of my words laterif you loosen the strings too much now.

I don't meant to offend anyone but I feel that if you choose to come to the United States to live, then you should learn OUR language.  If I chose to go to Mexico, or any other country, then I would learn their language.  It offends me to think that my children, or grandchildren, have to learn a second language in order to be able to communicate with people who come from other countries and now call the USA their home.  This is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and our language is English.  I feel that if you really want to share our country, then you should learn our language.

I must agree with many others who have indicated that bilingual education should be something that is offered across the board and should start at a much younger age.  Studies show that language development becomes more intrinsic when taught at a younger age not to mention the social building skills that this would offer to all students by increasing their communication skills.  Most developed countries throughout the world require educational exposure to two languages, most of whom are taught English.  We should be equally committed to allowing our children the opportunities to learn more than one language.  As we increasingly become a global economy we are increasingly needing to meet those requirements which again necessitate dual language capabilities.  We are not allowing others/immigrants to take over this country rather we are embracing the beauty of diversity and allowing that to enhance our childrens future work skills as well IF we teach dual languages for ALL students.  As one comment stated, many jobs today require bilingual status to apply for a job and continuing to battle this is only giving those students who ARE bilingual a leg up over your child.  Don't let our American Pride supersede reason and understanding of our need to excel at what we do best or limit our children and their future.  The gate is open and it is way too late to debate the immigration issue.  AT this point we need to embrace, learn and grow into the new world that our children are facing.  Give them the skills don't hold them back out of pride.

Let us focus on the real question, who is doing the teaching.Universities ,in this country, have lowered standards repeatedly. This has ocurred regularly in large hispanic areas. The reasons are simple ,more tuition dollars,and more minority bilingual teachers in place. Being a teacher I can assure you I have co-workers teaching students ,but contain little or no ability to speak and write formal English. This is the major stumbling block,can you learn any language from someone who has little command of it? Furthermore is bilingual education truly  bilingual?,for my money , I say absolutely not!.

Not only is bilingual or dual language education important for Latino students, but it is also significant for all students.  Who would not be benefitted by learning and knowing two languages from a young age?  Not only is it an asset, but it is fair.

Let's also not forget that the United States does not and has never had an official language.  

As a Texas born, 19 year old sophomore in college, I wish I had had a Spanish/English immersion program in grade school. I think it's a fantastic way to become bilingual. I used to be on the side of "In our country we speak English and so should you," but now I wish I could speak another language. Why rob American children of a chance to learn with English only programs. You might say that American students can take foreign language high school classes, but I know from experience that those rarely work. The United States is one of the only countries without an official language, yet we aren't taking advantage of that by learning as much as we can. In Europe children are fluent in French, German, and English. Not to mention it is proven that people who know more than one language are smarter than people who only know one. So come on America, get bilingual!

If they are able to provide services to Spanish speakers learning English, they should also provide those opportunities to other language learners that have another first language also.  As an ESL Teacher in Dallas, TX for many years, it bothered me how they focused so much on the Hispanic population, however other students were not given the same opportunities to be instructed in their home language. Let's just be fair about how we educate all of our students.

My great grandparents immigrated to the US from Germany. Out of respect for their new country they learned to speak English. Go to any major city and you will find large populations of people from other countries polish, German, Russian, Italian and so on. I don't see these groups forcing schools to teach their native language. I think the difference is that immigrants from these countries have more respect for this USA and it's language than the Hispanics do.

If they are going to live in this country they should be required to read and speak our language!  I have no problem with them with bi-lingual classes but tests to graduate should be English only!

Of course, this is an interesting subject. As an American and Hispanic by birth, I am a staunch supporter of (1) making English our official language when interacting with all levels of government; (2) eliminating bilingual education.

As a 3 year-old who only spoke Spanish and Italian and arriving in a Boston suburb, my parents knew that they needed to find work to support our family because a government handout was NOT an option.

My parents worked long hours and my father worked two jobs and at times totaling 16 hours a day. The other more important decision was that English must be learned so as to not rely on translators or others.

I learned English by watching a black and white TV set that my parents bought from Woolworths. Shows like Sesame Street, the Electric Company taught me English.

By the time I was able to enroll in a public school kindergarten class, I knew English well enough to make friends, assimilate and pick up the classroom instruction.

In fact, my parents remind me that often I was not only their teacher for English but at the beginning stages, I was their interpreter too. One day, I accompanied my dad to the bank to translate some documents at the age of five.

The comment about the school in NC seems "nice" at the onset, but we must focus on what the bilingual education is really accomplishing. In my opinion, it creates a false environment and a false sense of hope.

Math and science taught in Spanish and the other courses in English? Please, so are these students supposed to go through life utilizing math and science in a Spanish setting?

When my daughter was enrolled in an Orlando, FL public school kindergarten class, she came home on the 2nd day, I was aghast as to why she was in a bilingual classroom. The next day I took her to school and asked the teacher why she was in a bilingual class. I was told because of her surname. At the threat of litigation, I demanded she be put in an English class. At the time, my daughter spoke three languages.

I am a believer and in the past several months my faith in the Lord has increased tremendously. In my heart, I know the Lord wants us to help each other and share His glory. I also believe that the Lord wants us to help others by example, by giving them the seeds to succeed. I don't believe the "seeds" to succeed are split classes to learn English, for "Big Brother" (government) to provide translators or translated documents.

I have served on public school advisory boards and know very well that bilingual education often times imprisons children in a setting that "superficially" seems as though it is doing something good.

But the children I witnessed and read reports about began bilingual education at the 3rd grade and were still in a bilingual setting in middle school, if not high school.

When I started public school, there was no bilingual education. Back then (and maybe we need to reinforce parental responsibility) in our schools, teachers taught and parents played a vital role at home.

Despite working long hours in a day, my parents took the time to sit with me to go over what I did during the day and we interacted and learned English together as well as the many other subjects.

Yes, we did that often in our own language, but the burden or responsibility of that is a "parent's" not the public school system.

I won't accept that today's society or culture is busier, too much on the plate; when a child's future is at stake parents need to step up to the plate. No excuses!

The public school system is NOT a day care center to drop off your children and expect teachers to be the one and all!

I am a proud American and am also proud to speak three languages, have maintained the culture and heritage of each of my parents and can interact with a variety of people in these languages.

However, I am most proud to be an American.

What sickens me at the core (as an American) is ulterior motive-driven politics, politicians, and those who believe that by providing translators and translated documents to immigrants is good for them.

If only those immigrants would step back and see the BIG picture. All that is being done is a "dumbing down" effect. Government making "you" more reliant on government.

Now, if you came to this country and expected government to hand you things, take care of you, provide for you, etc; I am sorry and in my opinion you should return to your country of origin.

After watching my parents and others work hard for what they achieved in the land of opportunity, there is no room for the lazy, no room for excuses and certainly no room for unpatriotic sentiments.

Freedom, liberties and all the values we cherish, as Americans aren't to be taken lightly or for granted.

I had two friends give their lives in Iraq. Lance Cpl. Alex Arredondo and Cpl. Tim Gibson gave their lives in our name. It doesn't matter if we agree why we are in the Middle East; it's our responsibility as Americans to show support for our soldiers.

Patriotic sentiment stretches to the core of what it is to be an American. Americans like Alex and Tim who are fighting to preserve our freedom, our liberties is what makes the United States of America the greatest country on Earth.

But I feel to truly embrace what the United States of America is and what she offers, immigrants must take a stand to learn the English language.

Our business environment suffers when immigrants don’t take a responsible effort to learn the English language. I don’t believe it is government’s role to expend taxpayer’s money to teach them. I believe there are churches and not-for-profits to accommodate and bear that expense.

According to a report authored and published by Don Soifer of The Lexington Institute , the estimate of lost annual wages due to poor English language skills may exceed $ 65 billion. In the same report, noted educators Patricia Gandara and Megan Hopkins of UCLA, report and document additional valid points worth reading.

Don Soifer adds that it takes the average English learner more than ten years in public schools to learn enough English to be moved into the mainstream by being redesignated as proficient. “Statistically, such children are more likely to drop out of school than ever to become proficient in English”, cites Soifer.

If you agree with my viewpoints, please visit my Blog at www.proenglishusa.blogspot.com.

Thank you for the time to read my comments.

Eddie V Garcia
Nashville, TN

This is America,where English is and should always be the main. Want to talk another language do it on your expense and time .Letter's from Lisa Savage,,Jeff North Carolina, Manny Miami Florida, Julie Singleton, Linn Cowart Florida, Fred Wright Tennessee, Mrs.P Cranston, Ben New York, Jon Middleton, Mike Ball Stearns Kentucky, M S, Joanne Florida, and so many others have it right. English Only.    

In defence of Canada's bilingual education system, my children  have benefited well by speaking French and English.  All three went through the French Immersion program in Manitoba, and all three are working and studying internationally because of this.

Some of my elementary school education was at an international school in South America where German, English and Spanish were taught. I studied in the bilingual English-Spanish section, and I was immersed in learning English. I traveled to the US where I studied at public schools for one year where all my education was in English. I returned to South America and continued my education at an international school where English was the main language, but there were students from at least twenty different nations. I studied French in high school, college, and took advanced courses in French for three years at a French institution. My daughter speaks French, Spanish and English fluently, and has studied at least five years of Mandarin. Our language skills are an enhancement to the cultural understanding of the rest of the world. I can not understand how there could be a discussion if to allow bilingual education or not. Bilingual education should be a personal choice, and should be available for citizens in need to keep their cultural values. To limit anyone to just communicate in one language because of lack of resources would be blocking education possibilities to those who are able to learn at multiple capabilities.

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