Are we doing a disservice to our kids by not teaching them spanish?

I am not teaching my kids Spanish. I might when they're older. I know they say it's best to introduce other languages when they're younger, but frankly, what little Spanish they got in school, they hated. So every time I suggest it, I'm met with groans, complaints, etc.

Ordinarily I don't let their responses dictate what I do and don't do. But I'm not all that keen on foreign languages, either. I flunked French in high school, and only did marginally better in my one year of Spanish.

While I believe it would be practical for them to know some Spanish basics, given the way things are going in this country, I'm also choosing to save my battles for the core subjects that matter the most. DS1 is starting with "English from the Roots Up" this year and I know that some of what he learns will also help him decipher Spanish words. Call me lazy, but right now, that's enough for me.

 

I believe your child should learn what ever lang. they want. I do get fustrated when I walk into a store and all these people are speaking spanish and expect us to know what they are saying WE LIVE IN AMERICA THEY NEED TO LEARN OUR LANG. If my girls want to learn it than I will teach it, but if not all well,
by the way most of the jobs in south tx ,wants people who speak spanish. I think it is crazy, if you move to america, learn the lang.

 

A slightly different perspective because I'm not American. Here the language most often taught is Japanese because we get so many Japanese tourists. The big tourist destinations signpost in Japanese too despite the fact we are an English speaking country & English is our national language. Most children find Japanese almost impossible. Apart from a lack of interest it entails learning a pictorial alphabet & the sentence structure is completely different to English. The failure & dropout rates are very high. Very few children choose to persue Japanese as a language choice in high school.

My Ditz opted to learn German from a fluent speaker. For our study on WWII she listened to recordings of Hitler's speeches in the original German by Hitler himself ~ & understood most of it. She uses German regularly in her music classes ~ along with French, Latin, Hungarian, Hebrew & who knows what else! Learning one of the Indo~European languages makes it much easier to learn another Indo~European language. It doesn't really seem to make much difference which one you choose if the child has an aptitude for languages. If they don't it still doesn't matter because they will never do very well with it.

Please ignore that woman's ignorant comments & do what you feel is best for you & your child as most of us seem to learn what we really need to learn when we need to & in the off chance America ever becomes a Spanish speaking country they will manage just fine ~because they will have to. All the rest is just foolishness.

 

Here is a good example I had to go to a government office today. There were two somali women with (7 kids between them) and one spanish speaking woman with three kids. All toddler and infant age. They were playing together even though Sophie was the only english speaker. The somali girls were trying to talk to Soph and she didn't understand, so she tried talking to them and they didn't understand. So finally she comes over to me, points at the little girls and says "mommy don't underand (understand)", I said "they don't speak english like you they speak somali, you'll just have to play nicely without understanding each other." Their mom smiled and nodded at me. About five min. later she gets mad and says "Speak english here!" stomps on the ground and points to the ground. So I called her over to me and scoulded her because she yelled at one of the girls and made her cry. The oldest of the little girls who had just turned four said "We're not allowed to speak english, I'm sorry I can translate."

It broke my heart that those kids were encouraged not to speak the language of the country the lived in. I can only assume she spoke english because she attended school. After letting Soph go back and play the older girl translated for Sophie and her sister to the best of her ability. She was a sweet kid and I felt sorry for her.

In our country we make it too easy for those who do not speak english to continue not speaking english. I don't care what you speak in your community or at home. But when at a business or in public and communicating with those who are not related to you, you should make the effort. If I went to spain or somalia I would attempt to learn their language. I wouldn't expect that every document had both insturctions in their language and my own. JMO

 

Just wanted to make the point that I agree with you wholeheartedly. Having said that, I try hard to put politics and opinions aside and be pragmatic when it comes to a child's education. It's clear that Spanish is here to stay and will become increasingly important. I might not agree with the trend, but it's likely to win out. It's for that reason alone I'd prefer all my children to speak Spanish. In the long run, it's likely to help them. Anyway, I'm too long in the tooth to learn it myself so I need someone to translate for me!

 

I failed both Spanish and German in high school. And my grandmother is Austrian and tried helping me in german class too!!

I have been able to lead a very satisfactory life having no clue what all the spanish in my surroundings mean. I've lived in New Mexico and now Texas and never really felt this strong burning desire to learn spanish.

It would be convenient but I really don't think it's necessary.

If my children want to learn a second language then they are more then welcome to it but they need to be good in English first.

 

I disagree. Everyone who ends up here learns English within a generation. In addition, drugs are here to stay, does that mean I should just give up and prepare my children for doing drugs? I am teaching purity to my children. Should I give up and just say premarital sex is here to stay? I do not like the whole give up and hand it over attitude. The ONLY reason Spanish would have a chance at taking over to the point where people have to learn Spanish just to get by here is because of attitudes just like this. Also, Chinese is the most common language in this world by far. So to say it is Spanish is very very egocentric. My children would not helped by learning Spanish and their time would be wasted. If it not in their goals or desires to learn or otherwise. If they were interest and really wanted to learn, fine. But it is not in their goals, they are not interested, and I am fine with that.

BTW, for the record, to immigrate legally, you have to learn English, at least a little bit. So if I force my children to learn Spanish and tell them just accept it, then aren't I teaching them tolerance of crime? AND teaching them to aid and abet these crimes too? I have no tolerance for crime, no matter how PC someone claims those crimes to be. I have been in Texas for about 17 yrs now and have not needed Spanish yet. There were a few times where Finnish or Chinese would have been helpful, but at least those newly arrived people were trying to learn English rather than coming to my country and trying to tell me that I have to change to fit them. I could never imagine moving to another country and refusing to learn the laws and language. So your attitude that the laws will be broken anyway so might as well run with it just really burns me.

 

Just wanted to let you know what the school my children would attend (if they were not homeschooled) is doing:

1st Grade Dual Language Program
We are adding English speaking students to the first grade Dual Language Program.
English speakers are taught in both English and Spanish.
Students are bilingual, biliterate, & bicultural after participating in this program 5-6 years.
If you would like for your child to participate in the Dual Language Program, please contact the school at


If my kids went there, I would definitely sign them up! My husband is looking at different job prospects, and they all want bilingual individuals.

 

momofafew, I wasn't going to say anything, but I am truly confused. Are you comparing speaking Spanish (and Spanish speakers) to drugs and premarital sex? I just don't get the connection between learning Spanish and allowing drugs/premarital sex. We're talking about a language, not a sin. Truly confused... :?:

 

NO..I am comparing the reasons for forcing Spanish over other languages. I had said if my child wanted to learn it, fine. BUT, if I were just going to force my child to learn Spanish over others, for the purpose of helping illegal immigration activities, then that is wrong. I also previously posted (you may have to go back and read a few posts) that I feel that sometimes, certain people want to keep the hispanic children from learning English and being able to become legal so that they can force those children to remain under the table, working day labor type jobs. There are families here who do not send their children to school and have their children do day labor type jobs when they are too young and violating child labor laws. Then the schools are refusing to teach them English. But it is only about the Hispanic population. Chinese, Finnish, Russian, etc...all those children are put in to immersion programs and taught English right away. Why is it like this? I think there is a bit of racism going on of the "big man" deciding they want to keep the status quo and keep the hispanics at the level of a lawn mower. BUT, certain people have expressed that we should just learn Spanish and just accept that there will be more and more people here who only speak Spanish. Thing is, if someone makes a legitimate legal attempt to come here, they will learn English. If they are here illegally, they might not try to learn or they might not have the chance. Regardless, what are we doing by simply learning Spanish and speak to them in Spanish? And why would we only do it to just that one population and none of the other populations? Statistically, the 1st generation children who were born here learn to speak English. So who would you be learning Spanish for..who are the non-English speaking people here? Well, in Texas, generally, either illegals (which is someone who is breaking the law) or those who have not been here long and want to learn our language. To mandate Spanish specifically is to say one should mandate that someone be able to converse with someone who is breaking the law. And while we are forcing Spanish down the throats of our children, we are ignoring many other cultures, as if they are less important and not worth our time. Sneaking over the border illegally, being here illegally, is a crime. I am not going to change my educational program in order to allow my children to help someone committing a crime. Now, if my child were particularly interested in the foreign culture of Spanish speaking areas, that would be a legitimate reason and they can take Spanish. But when someone says "its coming anyway, might as well accept it." They are referring to simply accepting the continuing illegal activities on behalf of those who chose to sneak in to the country without bothering with the legal routes they have available to them. (and I know plenty of people who come here legally, from many cultures, including Spanish speaking ones, and I have no problem with that, they are following the laws, just as I did, and my grandparents did, to come here).

And I do see illegally sneaking in to a country to be akin to any other crime out there. It is still a crime and those people are criminals.

So learning to speak Spanish because you want to learn the language is fine. But forcing your children to learn it because you there are enough Spanish-speaking only criminals out there that they need to communicate with them, is wrong. It sends the wrong message to the children too. BTW, my opinion is shared by a few people I know who are currently in the process of legally immigrating here, or have completed the process already. They feel they did the work, they paid the bills, they pay the taxes, they resent those who just illegally sneak in and take. They feel those people need to follow the laws and processes just like they did and it is unfair when they are just allowed to break the law.

So my point was the intention. Teach your child Spanish because they love the culture and the language, fine. Teach your child Spanish to promote and support criminals, not ok.

 

well said momofafew.

 

Wow, momofafew, you have certainly gave us all some things to things to think about. I had to really examine my feelings about Spanish and I think, perhaps, this is part of the reason I purposely put Spanish on the back burner and decided to teach French to my daughter first.

Actually, I like Spanish. I began learning it on my own from a book when I was eight because my grandmother was taking me on a trip to the southwest and Mexico. I also took it in high school, mostly because our little school only had three languages available Latin, French, and Spanish. I wanted to learn both Latin and French, but--well, the teachers themselves were a major factor in my decision. The Spanish teacher obviously enjoyed teaching far more than they did. However, I have to say that the political affiliations between the Spanish language and deluge of illegal immigrants creating an nationwide economic drain has most probably tainted my disposition towards wanting my daughter to learn it, I am sad to say.

 

My older daughter, who is now fluent in Spanish, was the only person in a pediatrician's office who could speak the language. Doctors, nurses, and assistants would ask her all the time to translate for them because plenty of mothers (legal immigrants) bringing in sick children could not speak English. No matter what our views on immigration, there is a real need for bilingual staff in job situations like this - and that need is increasing. This trend, which has been going on for decades and seems to be independent of which political party is in power, is continuing, and I see no evidence that it will abate. Plus, what language is spoken in all the countries of our hemisphere? The big majority speak Spanish. As a parent, I consider seriously what the world will be like in another 20 years' time and do my best to prepare my children for it.

Let me repeat what I said before: Politics doesn't come into it. My personal views on immigration and learning English don't matter. (Like others, it cost tens of thousands of dollars for me to become a resident alien two decades ago, and it's frustrating to see so many people breaking the rules to avoid those costs.) What does matter is that my children are well-prepared for life in the 2020s, 2030s, and beyond. That's why I urge each of them to learn Spanish well.

 

Honestly, I think all the issues presented by some with Spanish have NOTHING to do with learning the language. Learn it if you want to communicate with spanish speaking people. Learn it if you enter into a career that deals with spanish speaking people. I wouldn't expect to have a career dealing with Germans and not speak German.

On the social issues, which I find presented hear appalling...like it or not there are Spanish speaking people that need to be communicated with so knowning the language will give some a leg up in their career. Do I like it? NO. However, truth is truth.

I have known spanish speaking people who are NOT crimminals or have babies out of wedlock. In fact, my grandfather made a living off selling insurance and his biggest clients were spanish speaking people because he spoke spanish and others did not. Do I think spanish speaking people living in an english speaking society should speak english? YES..no doubt. We should focus more on that than the other way around.

I agree that if you live in a country you need to speak the language. However, english speaking people think everyone should speak english just to make life easier for them. When I was in Europe everyone spoke more than 1..if not more than 2 languages. It just makes sense. Somehow they do this without bashing each other. Somehow many Canandians speak French without making moral judgements.

The way some discuss this issue causes a sense of disdain for others. Stick to the facts and tone down the emotion. I would hate to be hispanic around some of you...I would feel like you have a deep seated resentment toward me. There is good and bad in...yes...in...get this now..even the white english speaking race. And I am not spanish...I am white. So you did not offend me on that level.

 

Boy, I had a busy day yesterday, and this got to four pages without my even seeing it!!!

I've skimmed through all four pages, but haven't read them all. There have been many comments I've agreed with (Stone in particular, but others, too). So if I repeat, sorry!

This is AMERICA. In America, we speak ENGLISH. When I went to France, I TRIED (however poorly!) to speak French. If I were to live in France, especially permanently, I would be learning how to speak French much more fluently. I would expect my children to grow up learning BOTH languages, and speaking BOTH languages. I would NOT expect all of France to learn MY language.

I get very frustrated going into places now where the workers don't speak/understand enough English to do their job. I've read reports about supervisors who have held jobs for years being let go, because a Spanish crew was hired and the super couldn't speak Spanish. I don't have a problem with them speaking Spanish with each other, but they need to learn the language of the land! And I resent that new labeling done in two languages.

Example: I've been a long-time Pampered Chef customer. Use to be, you'd buy something, and they'd send instructions with it along with about three or four recipes using the product. Now, they only send one recipe, because that's all the room they have after doing the pamphlet in English AND Spanish. Personally, I'd rather have the recipe card! I've no doubt they have Latino customers. But why can't they make instructions in Spanish, and the consultant request it? That way, the Latinos would also have more than just the one recipe.

 

Ava, the reason why most Europeans are bi-lingual has to do with the size of their countries. Live anywhere in Europe, and you're only a day's journey from somewhere that speaks another language. Imagine if all our states spoke different languages! Then we'd be the same way!

When I was in New Brunswick, the only officially bi-lingual provence, I was amazed to learn that learning both French and English was OPTIONAL, not required. They had both English schools, and French schools.

 

Thank you, Jackie for a great post that reflects thought and logic. This makes sense and I agree. I know I would not expect to get hired in Italy if I didn't speak the language.

However true this is...it does not relfect the reality of the situation. Sure we don't like it...but at the same time the point is that a child learning spanish may serve him well. Yet, a child is not being done a disservice by not speaking spanish. Same as a child who learns sign language...it may serve him well but it isn't a disservice not to know it. Simple.

I know some may say that sign lang is different...but there are plenty of english speaking or english signing people who deserve to be communicated with as well right? So, I suppose those who can sign have cornered a market as well...just like those who speak another language. It helps if a policeman speaks spanish EVEN if the spanish speaking person speaks english...Why? Think logically...can you have those who speak another language communicate with each other and it's a mystery to everyone else who lives in this country. That is insane! What if we didn't have people who spoke Arabic? Do we not teach our kids Aarabic because we some who speak it are terrorists? LOL. Like it or not...there is a market for speaking another language. I think the disservice is done when a child only knows english.

 

I understand why Europeans are bi-lingual. That was the not the point I was making.

 

Let me set this straight. I don't hate or dislike the hispanic population. But they should learn the language of the country the arey in. I don't dislike the Somalian population even though they are worse at learning english then the south American population. As a matter of fact instead of teaching spanish/french or even latin we should teach our children ENGLISH, maybe then I can understand the white kid at walmart with gold teeth and his pants hanging off his butt. Who mumbles his words and grabs his junk because we as a society told him it is acceptable.

I've worked at jobs where people have come in. They don't speak a word or english at all. Then get mad at me, yes me because I don't speak whatever it is they are speaking. It is not my fault I was born here and was not taught Somalian.

When I worked for the electric company I would constantly have to talk to 3 and 4th graders because their parents didn't speak english and their was no translator. So I'm now explaining to a 10 year old why they were disconnected for non payment of their electric bill.

If I knew the way to start a petition to have all legal forms and government signs, etc in english only I'd start one. Call it what you will but I am ashamed when I speak with those from other countries that HAVE taken the time to learn english and they ask me how come our country wants everyone to learn spanish. We spend thousands and thousands of hard earned tax money to help print out forms in other languages or to sign people up on the welfare system right off the boat. Maybe we could put that money in a ESL class for those people and teach them about speaking to the general population in America.

Cornish Steve I'm glad your daughter got a job translating for the spanish speaking community. It is a shame though that they didn't learn english so if their child is really sick and your daughter wasn't there no one would be able to help them because they won't be able to describe the symptons their child is experiencing.

I know a lady that worked with my mom. She came over with her husband from India. When they got here they forced them to go on welfare even though her husband makes almost 2 million+ a year because he is a bollywood director. So she told them in english "I don't need this" they told her "you don't know what you need and it is okay if you struggle with English you don't need to speak it." So she continued to practice her english and didn't cash the checks so they tried to sue her for fraud because she didn't cash the checks.

Anyway my point is if we are expected to learn Spanish to help those who don't want to learn english then we really aren't helping anyone at all. Those that refuse to learn english are just keeping themselves down and we are enabling them. I do believe that in 20 years there will ba a huge influx in biligual kids who speak both english and spanish because the kids they are having now (and growing up in a spanish speaking home) will be old enough to get jobs.

 

Even though I am teaching two other languages. I don't think there is any disservice being done if a child can only speak their countires language especially if that country is an english speaking one.

I know that most people come to American looking for a better life. Part of having a better life is fitting in and learning their culture and customs in addition to your own. JMO