Why should we help illegals learn English?
You allowed Jill Wagner too much space to berate us for not helping immigrants learn English (column, Jan. 10). There are two major flaws in her article.
First, as someone who has been fortunate enough to travel overseas, I can only agree with one statement: It can be difficult to communicate beyond basic conversation if you don't know the native language of the country you are visiting.
But, Ms. Wagner, as someone who is legally visiting another country, I will learn some basic communications and work to increase my vocabulary of the native language. If I intend to stay in the country for more than a short time, I will make the effort to increase my working vocabulary of the language. If people visiting the United States don't make similar effort, how much effort should we make to help them? And, if the people are visiting the United States illegally, without the intent to stay, why should we make the effort to help them?
The second flaw lies in the biographical snippet at the end of Wagner's column, which states that she will be teaching an English as a Second Language class at GTCC this year. If Wagner is so intent on us volunteering to help people learn English, then why is she accepting money in exchange for her involvement?
Len Docimo
High Point
Comments (3)
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In the context of diversity it would probably be better if we all just all learned to speak Spanish. Think of all the new education jobs that would be created and how our world image would soar.
Posted on January 14, 2008 7:38 AM
Len, it seems you have completely missed the points of Jill Wagner's article.
I too read the article. I don't recall reading into anything about Ms. Wagner suggesting we should help illegals. It appears to me she is referring to the people who are legitimately here. Just as you stated in you letter, if you were going to spend a good deal of time and/or live somewhere abroad, you would make it a point to learn the language. And how would you go about doing that, Len? Take a class maybe? At a library or a community college perhaps?
If there is any "berating" to do, Len, it should be placed on you for writing such a misinformed letter to the Editor.
Posted on January 14, 2008 10:55 AM
Like T-Daddy wrote, the writer did not suggest helping illegals. Personally, I support training in English, status notwithstanding.
I would prefer that to having 280 million Americans trained in Spanish, though I took Hugh's suggestion as satirical.
Posted on January 14, 2008 3:58 PM