Reply to Immersion and other language classes in schools. Which language and why?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I disagree that Spanish is the only language in America that is used widely other than English. I see huge numbers of Indians, Arabs, French, and Chinese people around here and other areas of the US.[/quote]

No one said that Spanish is the only foreign language that is used in this country.  However, it is the most widely used foreign language in the US.  This is not merely my opinion, it is simply a fact.  If you don't like Spanish, for whatever reason, you are certainly entitled to your opinion.  You can teach your child Mandarin, Arabic, Urdu or whatever strikes your fancy. [b] However, you will not find a more useful, everyday foreign language (in this country at least) than Spanish--sorry if that offends you.[/b]And the service industries where speaking Spanish is helpful include: medicine/healthcare, law (as a lawyer, I know this first hand), international development work, social services, education (all levels), construction, etc.  And your English fluency will take care of the rest.[/quote]

useful for what? Talking to the help.?  Never used it, never needed it. The cleaning ladies all speak it but I can get them to understand me by using a little Spanglish and sign language.[/quote]

Well, ignoring your racism, Spanish language fluency is useful in everyday life.  I just took my daughter to the pediatrician, and the medical student shadowing the doc is ethnically Chinese (and a fluent Mandarin speaker to boot).  During our discussion, it was revealed that my 4 year old DC speaks Spanish fluently (non native).  The medical student said that she wishes that she spoke Spanish because she has never had an opportunity to speak Mandarin with patients.  She also said that she often has to get a Spanish-speaking colleague to translate conversations.  So, once again,  it's helpful to speak Spanish in the USA if you're a doctor/nurse/physical therapist/psychologist/pharmacist/etc; a lawyer (I'm a labor/employment lawyer and Spanish has come in handy many times); a teacher; work in the construction or hospitality industry; own a business (any business with customers in a city of any size); and are a politician who wishes to pander to Hispanic voters; or if you're just a racist and think that only cleaning people Spanish.  I could go on, but I think that you get the gist.  I really hope that you choose another language for your children to learn (or if you post above is any indication, they'll only speak English).  There will just be more opportunities and less competition for my well-educated, bilingual and biliterate (and open minded) children.[/quote]

+1.  And may I also add that being an English/Spanish bilingual is also helpful if you're a principal, school guidance counselor, school psychologist, college professor and/or administrator.  It's also super helpful if you're a firefighter or police officer.  Basically, speaking Spanish will be helpful in any career where you come into contact with people (whether they are here illegally or not :-).  And there's also a nice economic bonus.  Besides all of the cognitive and cultural benefits being bilingual confers, many jobs in this country also pay Spanish speaking professionals more.[/quote]

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