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WindAtMyBack · Accepted Answer

Totally agree.

As an ESL volunteer, I know there is a huge difference between the people who come to this country. I've known people who lived here 20+ years and could not even say the most basic phrases. Others work hard to fit in.

Some of the people I help with ESL are great. They are doing everything they can to learn the language, learn the culture, and generally fit in. Many of them latch on to the volunteers because we are often the only Americans and native English speakers they know.

People who don't know the language and culture tend to isolate themselves. They don't get out and mingle because they are not comfortable, and lack confidence.

Many ESL teachers do real world field trips. I like to do restaurant talk because it's largely scripted and predictable.

How many in your party?
Would you like a table or booth?
Are you ready to order?
Will that be one check or two?

When you role-play and practice the scripts, then go to a restaurant with them, they realize they actually understand and can answer back. It's a big confidence boost, which is what they critically need.

Any kind of field trip is very helpful with these people. It breaks them out of their shell and gives them confidence to actually go out and try communicating with native speakers.

For many (most?) who don't learn the language quickly, it's not due to laziness or not caring. It's frightening and totally outside their comfort zone. That's especially true of people who are not total extroverts.

OlderAndWiser · Accepted Answer

Yes. And if Americans visit overseas, they should learn the language or have a translator with them.

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

Not only in America but have you ever had the pleasure (NOT) of having to call customer service at Walmart, for your cellphone, etc., only to have to speak with someone that has such a thick foreign accent that you can't even understand what they are saying?
And sometimes our calls to customer service automatically goes to a foreign country and then we have to deal with that crap! Can you tell that I am sick of it?

RageBabe · Accepted Answer

I agree, but check this out: isn't it just ridiculous? The United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, where the overwhelming majority of native English speakers reside, do not have English as an official language de jure, but English is considered their de facto official language because it dominates in these countries.

Lynx122 · Answer

Personally I think yes, but I knew a lot of people from the U. S. who came to Switzerland for 10 years never learned German and only hung out with other people from the U. S. and Canada. My dad is from Canada so he brought me along to play baseball and touch football with these guys otherwise I would have never met them at all. They're all nice people but they made basically no effort to integrate. Some learned some german over time slowly or so but they didn't actually make it a priority it was just a fun aspect of their work overseas.

IslaTheWitch · Answer

as the United States doesn't have an official language... I don't think it's expected that everyone should speak English... people speak the languages that are common in the area they live... and as long as it works... who cares?

HawkPerception · Answer

To an extent. I do think it should be required to fluently know the first language of the country you are in to get jobs in the service industry where communication with citizens on the regular is part of your job description. Because it can be extremely frustrating when immigrants that do not speak the language very well are always the first points of contact in any customer service related job.

But as for every day living, it's not mandatory. There's not many people that move to another country and master or learn the language immediately. I would personally like the ability to move to another country like say... Greece and not have to learn the language immediately.

MemeSupreme · Answer

yeah you should learn other languages period

ESPECIALLY if you don't know the most commonly used one in the country you live in. doesn't mean you gotta be 100% fluent or it'll be easy, but you limit yourself sm not knowing it

purplepoppy · Answer

If you're working there in a capacity where you have to deal with the public then yes. I'd also add the more critical good communication is then the higher the standard your English needs to be.

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

I often tell travelers: "Always adopt to your hosts (the nation you're visiting)."

With that said, addressing the aforementioned quote, people migrating to the USA should at least learn English and understand local customs.

NaultD · Answer

Not over night but life is generally easier to learn English. That's why we have English as a second language class in amarica.

Seems like a strange concept seeing how people from here rarely leave the home town but tourism is a thing and people find love and marry into different places. So of course there's a learning curve to everything.

LeatherDame · Answer

Should anglos be expected to learn Navajo, Cree or one of the other language of the territories they’re squatting on?

If not, then it’s a double standard to expect everyone to learn colonial English though I expect most will do it anyways because of the increased economic and social benefits it brings in a majority Anglo society.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

"If an elevator is gonna talk, it should speak in American."  - Lt. Tom Graham, Rising Sun

Anonymous · Answer

No. There are very few one language countries in the world. Why should the United States. Having said that the language IS primarily English. So you can choose to not speak the same language as the majority of the populace but you're going to find life pretty difficult. I think MOST people try to assimilate.

Massageman · Answer

Yes. Daily functional phrases at the absolute minimum. I had to learn some Greek when I went on a short-term Mission Trip to Athens (December 2004) , even though (internally) we dealt with people who spoke English at least as a second language, and typically a "co-first" language. There were also a few things (gestures) we were taught to not do, especially if we had to count five or ten.

Anonymous · Answer

A language is a great way to fragment a people. That's why God used it to stop the building of the tower of babble.

Althou we can manage many different languages via federalism, it is not advantageous to individuals who need to speak a language to be marketable.

Anonymous · Answer

I’m really torn about this one. On the one hand, I recognize that many immigrants don’t speak English and I encourage them to learn at their own pace and preserve their culture. On the other hand, I hate it when I call customer service and the person on the phone barely speaks English. So I don’t know.

Douglas1179 · Answer

I think either English or Russian would work just fine.

emeraldsaphire · Answer

For the most part I think you should speak English, but I don't think you should be forced or shamed or anything like that.

NathanDavis · Answer

the USA does not have an official language... even the eagle became official... but not the English language

DrPepper12 · Answer

No. That's ridiculous. It's preferable for speaker and hearer but not necessary.  Maybe USA Americans should become polylingual like almost every other person on planet...

Kayla45 · Answer

As I recall America doesn’t have an official language for the country, although the most spoken are English and Spanish by a wide margin. Should they be forced to speak English? No. I wouldn’t force anyone to speak French Canadian.

Blueeyes81 · Answer

Yiddish, French, old English, etc are all dialects you find in the US. It really doesn't bother me if someone can't speak English.

exitseven · Answer

It should be expected or at least taxpayers should not pay for translators and signage in 40 different languages.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Yes, I expected that once.

But after graduating 'cum laude' in English, I discovered that it's actually asked too much from Americans.

Never mind - their dialect is close enough... so I can communicate fairly well.

Joshydavid25 · Answer

Yeah, since you know, it'll help you navigate through the country.. What's the point of coming here, just to do the same things you did in your homeland?

molonski2 · Answer

You are in USA obviously yes , you need to speak English.

bolverk · Answer

It is the same here in the UK, we have refugees/asylum seekers/migrants, who have been in the UK for over 30 years and they have still no learned English, they all seem to be of one particular religion from the Middle East.

jshm2 · Answer

Spanish is actually the more widely spoken language in America. Also, the native americans spoke a different language altogether.

Filthy_Immigrant · Answer

Yes! can't say mandatory but obviously talking from experience if you want to survive here you should

Anpu23 · Answer

Or one of the native American languages or French if you live in Louisiana

Wiredone · Answer

Yes I absofuckinglutely agree with that. Why do I press #1 for English and still get a foreigner that doesn't speak English

AviatorTom · Answer

Yes, but English may not be the only language you speak.

adventurous-1 · Answer

When you travel to other countries do you expect that country to speak your language? Good luck with that.

Enginn · Answer

Majority of usans speak English. If you dont then you are not gonna be able to talk to most people. Agreed

PepperJackson · Answer

In LA they speak over 200 languages. It would suck to be a cop.

TadCurious · Answer

I very strongly agree.

FenixG45 · Answer

My understanding is that English is the official language of the United States.  One should ALWAYS be able to speak at LEAST one of the official languages of a country. I can!

Anonymous · Answer

It isn't England. Its america. Americans born in the country can't always speak the language.

Dongie · Answer

Yes you should.

Wise4myage · Answer

I agree.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Agree. At least the basics.

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Yes, but also retain your native language.

OddBeMe · Answer

Of course not

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