Language and Assimilation

In our group discussion last week we talked a lot about appropriate expectations for minorities who are learning to assimilate into our culture. We specifically talked about what we think should be required for citizenship. It was a little bit conflicted at first, but I think there was mostly agreement when it came to language. We thought that in order to become an American citizen you should be required to speak English proficiently. One of the group members shared a story about a family that had worked for her dad and the family had lived in the U.S. for almost 10 years and the parents still hadn’t learned any English. I am all for doing things to help ease the transition and of course as a future teacher I definitely think it’s important that students don’t abandon their culture. But at the same time, in order to be active and engaged citizens, you have to be able to speak English. No one should feel that they are unwelcome in the United States if they don’t speak English, however in terms of becoming a U.S. citizen I think it is something that should be required. By learning English, you are showing that you are committing to participate and be part of this culture. You can’t say that you truly want to be part of a culture and society and then make few efforts to actually assimilate. If I moved to France I think it would be expected that I learn French in order to really be part of the culture. The reason many students study abroad is to learn a language and really become part of a different society. Why should moving to the United States on the terms of becoming citizens be any different? In relation to schooling, I think working with children is much different than requiring an adult of at least 18 years of age to make a commitment to learn a language. Students who are learning to speak English should never be told that they cannot speak their own language and it should be dealt with in an extremely different manner. Teachers should make sure to foster and encourage students to take pride in their own heritages and cultures. Part of what makes America so great is that it is so many people bringing their backgrounds and beliefs together in order to create a culture unlike any other. But part of being able to contribute is making active steps to be a part of that culture and not simply remaining separate. Taking away the language barrier is a major way to make it possible for people to mix and blend and be part of a society that brings people together.