Do you think people that live in your country should have to learn the language?

I feel very strongly that people who come to the U.S. should be required to try to learn English. Every city has free classes to teach English as a second language, and I think that taking these classes and passing a basic proficiency exam should be mandatory. If somebody wants to live in the U.S., they should do all that is required to integrate themselves into OUR society and not set up smaller versions of their hometowns within our country. I know that in my city we have several neighborhoods where people speak only Spanish; all of the stores and restaurants have signs in Spanish and bilingual staff to accommodate them. Why doesn't the U.S. mandate them to learn English and refuse to renew their visas or green cards if they do not comply? I know that many would say that this sounds harsh, and maybe it is. But if I moved to Germany, would they cater to me and be sure that I had English-speaking people all around me? NO. They would show me to the nearest International Institute where I could learn to speak the language of the country...

Hi! i think people from whatever country they belong should learn English as a secondary language aside from their native language because it is considered to be a universal language. Its the only language wherein all people all around the world can communicate. Its really difficult of people dont know how to speak english but i cant blame other countries why there citizens dont know how to speak english because it was never a part of their school curriculum. Some countries prefer nationalism wherein there citizens should only learn their language and not the others. With the changes today, more and more countries are including english in their school curriculum and thats why even young children can speak this language very well. I guess its a good thing for everyone to learn to speak english. Im happy because people in my country is very good in speaking this language and it has been a part of our school curriculum ever since.

I would think that if I was planning on living in a foreign country I would learn the language. My sister lives in Japan and she learned the language and even teaches English at a college in her town. She is married to a Japanese man. He speaks English and in fact works as a translator. I don't know how my sister would be able to live without learning the language. So I agree, you should learn the language of the country you live in. However, my grandma, who immigrated from Italy, never learn to speak English. I think she could understand it but my dad always spoke to her in Italian and they lived in an Italian neighborhood in Chicago with a little Italian grocery store on the corner. She came to the US in 1929. I think that it is imperative now that a person learn the language of the country they live. It is almost like a common courtesy to make the effort.

of course how can you communicate with the people around you if you dont know that language.

My parents did not learn to speak English straight away - they even worked with people who spoke their language when they immigrated here. They just didn't have enough time to go to learn English in the early years because they were busy working their arses off to support a family. I know people looked down on them for that and even thought they were stupid. If not learning English causes the person a problem, then they will eventually learn out of necessity. I just think a lot of the time, people who speak ONLY English have a hard time listening to people speak in other languages in what they perceive to be "their" country.

Yes, I most certainly think that people who live in the UK should be expected to learn the language. This is not some reactionary standpoint but common sense. If we are to be a country of immigration we should start adopting the rules and customs of a country of immigration. There is nothing wrong with expecting people to speak the language of the country they choose to live in.

Ya I think it is necessary for their survival, if they are living their for doing job or business. They must need that language to communicate and deal their customer, It will help them to grow very fast in the community and feel free to live among the people as the part of that community.

I saw a lot of this in San Diego County; places like Yorba Linda and Bario Logan where the older people and even some of the 20-something crowd didn't speak any English. Part of that was the area, almost all Hispanic. If you moved to another country you would have to learn the language to survive, get a job and function. There are so many places where people can get helping learning the language but they don't. Part of that might be embarassment but I think most of it is that it's just easier to float with a certain crowd and live in a specific area.

In my country there are a lot of people from all around the world. The highest population is Russian and Ukrains. We have a lot of them here. The problem is that a lot of them don't speak Hebrew so good, and they rather to use Russian or Ukrain. Now, I don't care about it, but when they are approaching to talk with me, they starting the conversation with their language, and I tell them that I can't understand them. I don't know why this people don't start the main language in my country. Life could be much more easier for them.

Yes I do think they should learn English in United States before they can have citizenship. They should be offered classes at which they could attend to learn.

Well in my country, Urdu is the native language and that is one language that most people speak in my country, however english is also widely used here and most people can speak it. I however feel that even if I don't how to speak english, I can still get on with it. English is a global language and more and more people are learning it everyday :)

Definitely! If you want to communicate to lots of different people, you must learn the English Language.

i think that in most of the countries all over the world english proves to be a very useful language.majority of the people all over the world have accepted english as the global language.i m an indian and in india also there is great demand for people knowing and speaking english.in my country a person who knows english is always socially and professionally regarded much better than the person who does not know it.a person knowing english alwaz gets greater job opportunities than the person not knowing english,in most of the fields.so in my view it is a compultion for every indian to learn english.same is the case in most of the countries.

Yes absolutely they should learn native language of the country they are going.To me its just like a home work.Atleast they should learn some basic words to communicate with others otherwise they would be isolated in that particular country and that would be a tough going for them. Some years back i was only 14 and i went to France with my parents just for holidays.I wasnt aware of French except one word "Bonjour" that is "Good morning"...Oh i forgot..i think this is what it meant..anyways I felt being isolated i could not speak to anyone as majority of French ppl are not aware of any other language except French.But it was a pretty good trip on the whole if we keep away the communication point..

Yes, I think the least they could do is learn english. I was born in Canada, brought up speaking english. I have been discriminated against by people who are immigrants from eastern countries. Figure that one out! Take care Rachel.

I hope you mean the national language and not the native language.... because in my country(India) the native language is different for each state and there is a sum total of about 60 different languages..........hence it would be quiet impossible to learn all the languages............ my strong suggestion is to prioritaize--- if you are visiting a country for a holiday you need not learn the whole language, just few important words would suffice, but if you want to settle in a country you atleast need to learn the basics of the language.

I think that if you go to another country, especially to live that you should learn there language to me it is a disrespect. I shouldnt have to learn another language for people that have come from other countries.

I think that it would be good if they learned the language. If they don't it seems to cause a large communication barrier in all areas & that's not good for either side. I just think it would be nice if it was mandatory for people from other countries to learn the language if they are going to be living in a country that isn't their native tongue.

I truly believe that to gain citizenship in this country that it should be required that your speak read and write english or be over a certain age. Just my feelings on it.

Yes. Otherwise they use it to get away with things and feel that this is there ticket to lameville. i'm not saying everyone does this but those who live next door expect us to believe they don't speak although they live here and go to work. There just lame. i think they should be allowed to speak there home language but personally not to talk secretly. ~Joey