Immigrants Should Be Forced to Learn and Speak English

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The issue of whether or not immigrants should be forced to learn and speak English has been discussed for many years and is viewed differently by legal immigrants, illegal immigrants and American citizens. R. D. King (1997) wrote that the issue of immigrants learning to speak English dates back to 1753 with regards to German immigrants. In his article, Should English Be the Law, King (1997) states, “In 1753 Benjamin Franklin voiced his concern that German immigrants were not learning the English language” (par. 4). Even after all these years, the issue of immigrants learning and speaking English in order to better communicate with co-workers, at the bank, or seeking medical care remains a concern for English-speaking American citizens. Furthermore, immigrants speaking English continues to be an ongoing topic of discussion for politicians and the media. Schools in the United States teach children that Christopher Columbus is the man credited with finding America (Oliveri, 2007). Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States. Christopher Columbus came to America from Italy but was a citizen of Spain; therefore, United States citizens should remember that America was founded by immigrants. From its beginning America has welcomed immigrants who came to the United States from a multitude of counties. These earlier generations of immigrants came with the intention of becoming American citizens and worked to learn and speak English in order to unite America under one language (Whitmore, 2008). Immigrants, who come to America legally today, continue to come for work and to take advantage of the freedom America offers. The majority of the legal immigrants currently coming to the United States want to “assimilate” ... ... middle of paper ... ...? The Seoul Times. Retrieved September 29, 2009, from http://theseoultimes.com/ST/top_frame.html Oliveri, D. (2007, August 30). Columbus Day lesson plan. Celebrate the man who found America. Retrieved November 20, 2009 http://homeschool-curricula.suite101.com/article.cfm Poisl, D. (2006, October 5). Assimilation and the necessity for English. American Chronicle. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/printFriendly/14381 Poisl, D. (2007, September 26). How immigration reform will help everyone. American Chronicle. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/38702 Whitmore, S. (2008, March 11). Seven in ten Hispanics say immigrants should learn English. PRNewswire. Retrieved October 7, 2008, from www.hispanicprwire.com/prin.php

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