OT – Bilingual Education

[afx114]

[quote=weberlin]Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.[/quote]

No need to get defensive, I was simply sharing my thoughts on the subject. I agree with you that efforts should be made to learn the language of whatever country one moves to. My point is that if it doesn’t happen, it’s not a big deal. If I moved to China and made no attempt to learn Chinese, how is that an affront to China? No doubt my children and their children would be speaking Chinese quicker and better than myself. I don’t see a problem with this, but I guess apparently some people do.

[briansd1]

[quote=weberlin] Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.[/quote]

In a globalized world, that’s not so true anymore. People may come here for work and education and leave later.

Americans may have to go work abroad in search of professional opportunities. There are already millions of Americans who live and work abroad.

[briansd1]

[quote=weberlin] Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.[/quote]

In a globalized world, that’s not so true anymore. People may come here for work and education and leave later.

Americans may have to go work abroad in search of professional opportunities. There are already millions of Americans who live and work abroad.

[briansd1]

[quote=weberlin] Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.[/quote]

In a globalized world, that’s not so true anymore. People may come here for work and education and leave later.

Americans may have to go work abroad in search of professional opportunities. There are already millions of Americans who live and work abroad.

[briansd1]

[quote=weberlin] Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.[/quote]

In a globalized world, that’s not so true anymore. People may come here for work and education and leave later.

Americans may have to go work abroad in search of professional opportunities. There are already millions of Americans who live and work abroad.

[briansd1]

[quote=weberlin] Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.[/quote]

In a globalized world, that’s not so true anymore. People may come here for work and education and leave later.

Americans may have to go work abroad in search of professional opportunities. There are already millions of Americans who live and work abroad.

[briansd1]

[quote=afx114]
The Charlie Rose show had a spectacular series on the human brain. Check out The Developing Brain episode for a discussion of language and language acquisition by children. Check out the entire series, it’s fascinating.[/quote]

Very good recommendation.

[briansd1]

[quote=afx114]
The Charlie Rose show had a spectacular series on the human brain. Check out The Developing Brain episode for a discussion of language and language acquisition by children. Check out the entire series, it’s fascinating.[/quote]

Very good recommendation.

[briansd1]

[quote=afx114]
The Charlie Rose show had a spectacular series on the human brain. Check out The Developing Brain episode for a discussion of language and language acquisition by children. Check out the entire series, it’s fascinating.[/quote]

Very good recommendation.

[briansd1]

[quote=afx114]
The Charlie Rose show had a spectacular series on the human brain. Check out The Developing Brain episode for a discussion of language and language acquisition by children. Check out the entire series, it’s fascinating.[/quote]

Very good recommendation.

[briansd1]

[quote=afx114]
The Charlie Rose show had a spectacular series on the human brain. Check out The Developing Brain episode for a discussion of language and language acquisition by children. Check out the entire series, it’s fascinating.[/quote]

Very good recommendation.

[briansd1]

[quote=deadzone]Again, why is being English centric a detriment? Like it or not English is the most important language in the world and is the only language necessary to be live and do business in the U.S. If Americans want to learn other languages that is great, but it is nothing but a hobby or intellectual pursuit for most.[/quote]

It’s a detriment because a foreign language is what makes a well-rounded person with an open perspective on the world.

Music, arts, literature, history, and sports also make for a well-rounded education.

I find that people who speak a foreign language are much more comfortable with themselves and don’t feel “threatened” when they hear a foreign language they don’t understand.

[briansd1]

[quote=deadzone]Again, why is being English centric a detriment? Like it or not English is the most important language in the world and is the only language necessary to be live and do business in the U.S. If Americans want to learn other languages that is great, but it is nothing but a hobby or intellectual pursuit for most.[/quote]

It’s a detriment because a foreign language is what makes a well-rounded person with an open perspective on the world.

Music, arts, literature, history, and sports also make for a well-rounded education.

I find that people who speak a foreign language are much more comfortable with themselves and don’t feel “threatened” when they hear a foreign language they don’t understand.

[briansd1]

[quote=deadzone]Again, why is being English centric a detriment? Like it or not English is the most important language in the world and is the only language necessary to be live and do business in the U.S. If Americans want to learn other languages that is great, but it is nothing but a hobby or intellectual pursuit for most.[/quote]

It’s a detriment because a foreign language is what makes a well-rounded person with an open perspective on the world.

Music, arts, literature, history, and sports also make for a well-rounded education.

I find that people who speak a foreign language are much more comfortable with themselves and don’t feel “threatened” when they hear a foreign language they don’t understand.

[briansd1]

[quote=deadzone]Again, why is being English centric a detriment? Like it or not English is the most important language in the world and is the only language necessary to be live and do business in the U.S. If Americans want to learn other languages that is great, but it is nothing but a hobby or intellectual pursuit for most.[/quote]

It’s a detriment because a foreign language is what makes a well-rounded person with an open perspective on the world.

Music, arts, literature, history, and sports also make for a well-rounded education.

I find that people who speak a foreign language are much more comfortable with themselves and don’t feel “threatened” when they hear a foreign language they don’t understand.

[Author]

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