Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    progunr's Avatar
    progunr Posts: 1,971, Reputation: 288
    Ultra Member
     
    #81

    Jul 12, 2008, 02:16 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Wondergirl
    So you're just going to duck out now? How did your wife learn English? Most of the immigrants I know and deal with at work are learning English on the fly and from very patient native-English-speaking neighbors and coworkers and individuals they encounter in the community. They are immersed in English and have no choice but to learn it if they intend to survive in this country.
    She went to the local middle school, signed up for English as a second language, paid the fee, and went to class 2 nights a week.

    If it is their desire to live here, it is their obligation to learn the language.

    What do you think Mexico would say, if someone told them, that they need to learn English, so that it will be much easier for Americans when we visit or move to their country?

    The illegal invasion from our southern border is costing our Nation a great deal, and the answer to this enormous problem, is to require us to speak their language.

    All I can do is scratch my head, and wonder, why the hell would we do that!
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #82

    Jul 12, 2008, 02:44 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by progunr
    She went to the local middle school, signed up for English as a second language, paid the fee, and went to class 2 nights a week.

    If it is their desire to live here, it is their obligation to learn the language.

    What do you think Mexico would say, if someone told them, that they need to learn English, so that it will be much easier for Americans when we visit or move to their country?

    The illegal invasion from our southern border is costing our Nation a great deal, and the answer to this enormous problem, is to require us to speak their language.

    All I can do is scratch my head, and wonder, why the hell would we do that!!
    They need to learn English and they ARE learning English. No one is refusing. As I told someone else here, I'm against bilingual education. Immersing oneself into whatever language is the best way to learn it. If I move to China, I will learn Mandarin Chinese. It won't happen overnight, but I will learn it. I see nothing wrong with Americans learning Spanish or any other foreign language to better communicate with immigrants. I see nothing wrong with posting additional signs and giving helps in another language. Don't worry, progunr. All those immigrants will learn English.
    progunr's Avatar
    progunr Posts: 1,971, Reputation: 288
    Ultra Member
     
    #83

    Jul 12, 2008, 02:55 PM
    We agree!

    There is nothing wrong with someone learning a second, or third language.

    As long as it is their choice to do so, and not because it has been mandated by some elitist, who was able to smooth talk his way into the White House.

    That is where this all started, for some reason it turned into a "just learning another language" debate and moved away from the original topic.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #84

    Jul 12, 2008, 03:24 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by progunr
    As long as it is their choice to do so, and not because it has been mandated by some elitist, who was able to smooth talk his way into the White House.
    There is no elitist mandating (or who will mandate). You have taken a few words out of Obama's speech and whipped up a war of words. You've taken a button and knitted a sweater around it. All will be well, progunr, all will be well.
    progunr's Avatar
    progunr Posts: 1,971, Reputation: 288
    Ultra Member
     
    #85

    Jul 12, 2008, 03:37 PM
    You sound like a sweet person.

    Too bad you've gotten into the Obama Koolaid.

    Yeah, him and his socialistic ideals are totally harmless.

    Have another drink.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #86

    Jul 12, 2008, 04:41 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by progunr
    You sound like a sweet person.

    Too bad you've gotten into the Obama Koolaid.

    Yeah, him and his socialistic ideals are totally harmless.

    Have another drink.
    Even excon likes me, so I must be okay.

    And I'm a Republican at heart, but one who votes with her head. Obama might just surprise you and end up making you proud, progunr. I will pray that will happen.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #87

    Jul 12, 2008, 04:43 PM
    elitist
    And who's elitist? Certainly not the Current Occupant and McSame...
    SkyGem's Avatar
    SkyGem Posts: 177, Reputation: 18
    Junior Member
     
    #88

    Jul 12, 2008, 08:07 PM
    Incredible! Obama wants children to be bilingual and learn Spanish, yet he has admitted not being bilingual himself! It's a clear-cut case of do as I say not as I do. YOU Do it, but not I! Why should I?

    Political Radar: Como Se Dice? Obama Clarifies Comments Over Foreign Languages

    ________________________________________
    Interested in the November presidential election? Have you heard? They're trying to take Hillary's delegates away!
    Just Say No Deal!

    Just Say No Deal

    Power of Puma: Howard Dean Schemes To Shut Down Democratic Convention

    And for ALL Obamanots:

    Nobama Network - Dedicated to Unity Democrats, Republicans, Independents Election 2008

    Welcome to WriteHillaryIn.com
    George_1950's Avatar
    George_1950 Posts: 3,099, Reputation: 236
    Ultra Member
     
    #89

    Jul 12, 2008, 08:38 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Wondergirl
    Even excon likes me, so I must be okay.

    And I'm a Republican at heart, but one who votes with her head. Obama might just surprise you and end up making you proud, progunr. I will pray that will happen.
    All right, Wondergirl, that's enough. What is it about the Republican Party that you like most and dislike most? What is it about the Democrat Party you like most, and dislike most? If you are an elitist Republican, I can see why Obama's comments about children learning a second language wouldn't matter: "You need to make sure your child can speak Spanish. You should be thinking about how can your child become bilingual. We should have every child speaking more than one language. It's embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German." That's a crock. Our kids better be learning English, history, math, and science.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #90

    Jul 12, 2008, 11:16 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by George_1950
    Our kids better be learning English, history, math, and science.
    I was a humble schoolteacher and believe languages should be first taught in the early grades when it is much easier for children to learn them (and not waiting until high school). Phonics and handwriting and geography should return to the curriculum, along with the regular classes in science, math, English, and history, as you mentioned. Art and music would be excellent additions. All of those were taught in my grade school and high school curricula. Has the school day gotten shorter since the 1950s, that those are missing from today's education?
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #91

    Jul 12, 2008, 11:19 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by SkyGem
    Incredible! Obama wants children to be bilingual and learn Spanish, yet he has admitted not being bilingual himself! It's a clear-cut case of do as I say not as I do. YOU Do it, but not I! Why should I?!
    You say Obama wants CHILDREN to be bilingual. Nothing wrong with that! So he's not doing it?? --he's forbidding his daughters to be bilingual and learn another language like Spanish? Please post proof of that.
    thisnthatshoppe's Avatar
    thisnthatshoppe Posts: 17, Reputation: 4
    New Member
     
    #92

    Jul 12, 2008, 11:20 PM
    Nothing wrong with be bi-lingual, if it is by choice. No one should be forced to learn another language. It may help if the culture you are liiving in speaks a certain language, but force is never the answer. And I don't personally agree with anything Obama says.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #93

    Jul 12, 2008, 11:23 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by thisnthatshoppe
    Nothing wrong with be bi-lingual, if it is by choice. No one should be forced to learn another language.
    As far as know, taking a language in high school has always been a choice. If kindergarteners are taught German for fifteen minutes a day, is that considered forced?
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #94

    Jul 12, 2008, 11:30 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by thisnthatshoppe
    Nothing wrong with be bi-lingual, if it is by choice. No one should be forced to learn another language. It may help if the culture you are liiving in speaks a certain language, but force is never the answer. And I don't personally agree with anything Obama says.
    Um, I think there are children in school against their will. They don't want to get up in the morning or do homework or sit still in class. Is that forced education? Should we let them run loose on the streets instead?
    bushg's Avatar
    bushg Posts: 3,433, Reputation: 596
    Ultra Member
     
    #95

    Jul 13, 2008, 04:11 AM
    My children in high school are required to take 3 years of a foreign language. They also were taught Spanish in the middle school. They may be teaching it in the elementary school now.
    George_1950's Avatar
    George_1950 Posts: 3,099, Reputation: 236
    Ultra Member
     
    #96

    Jul 13, 2008, 06:24 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Wondergirl
    Um, I think there are children in school against their will. They don't want to get up in the morning or do homework or sit still in class. Is that forced education? Should we let them run loose on the streets instead?
    Now, there's an idea. At the beginning of class each morning, remove those that are not prepared or don't want to be there and let them dig-up dandelions, cut grass, and rake the school yard in fair weather; and make the floors and walls spotless in bad weather.
    George_1950's Avatar
    George_1950 Posts: 3,099, Reputation: 236
    Ultra Member
     
    #97

    Jul 13, 2008, 06:33 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Wondergirl
    Has the school day gotten shorter since the 1950s, that those are missing from today's education?
    What is missing in today's education from the 1950s is, in a word, discipline. This HBO movie is definitely worth the time to watch: HBO Documentaries: Documentary Films Series: Hard Times: Synopsis
    Of course, I love it when the libs try to place blame for poor performance of schools on George Bush and "No Child Left Behind".
    NeedKarma's Avatar
    NeedKarma Posts: 10,635, Reputation: 1706
    Uber Member
     
    #98

    Jul 13, 2008, 07:38 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by George_1950
    What is missing in todays education for the 1950s is, in a word, discipline.
    Discipline begins with the parents and US parents these days don't give a crap about their kids, they are too busy trying to appear wealthy. In my opinion it is not up to the teachers to raise my child.
    bushg's Avatar
    bushg Posts: 3,433, Reputation: 596
    Ultra Member
     
    #99

    Jul 13, 2008, 07:44 AM
    Needkarma. Maybe some U.S. parents don't give a crap about their children but I do and I take offense to a blanket statement like that.
    George_1950's Avatar
    George_1950 Posts: 3,099, Reputation: 236
    Ultra Member
     
    #100

    Jul 13, 2008, 07:54 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by NeedKarma
    Discipline begins with the parents and US parents these days don't give a crap about their kids, they are too busy trying to appear wealthy. In my opinion it is not up to the teachers to raise my child.
    I couldn't disagree more. US parents have given a blank check to education, which gets poorer and poorer. The education establishment is run by elitists, like the Obama crowd (and maybe McCain as well, who knows?); elitism has replaced pragmatism. I've been in a 6th grade classroom recently; the students have no fear of their teachers because corporal punishment has been banned in that county. When I was in 6th grade, a teacher would take a misbehaving student into the hallway and wear them out for all to hear. The effect was dramatic; we need that back.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search


Check out some similar questions!

Brother is unmarried and his kids mother want to take kids away [ 5 Answers ]

Can his live in girlfriend or EX now take away his kids from him if there in a stable environment and she is leaving my brother for another man in another city and a sex offender at that? My brother has them in his care as we speak can she go to his house and walk out of there with them. They are...

Puppet kids show on discovery kids [ 3 Answers ]

This show came on discovery kids in the morning in the 90's it was kind of weird a women And kids say they want to get silly something and they would take a spoon and eat Something out of puppet flowers mouths, the puppets would open there mouths and other silly stuff was like this on the...

80"s kids movie with a dinasour and kids [ 3 Answers ]

I remember watching this movie when I was little. It was a about kids that I believe found a dinasour that's all I can remember and it's driving me nuts! Help!

Why Didn't Obama Tell Us This Before? [ 11 Answers ]

Now, this news article IS truly revealing and speaks volumes about Obama! Obamaites, here, take a good look at your superhero and read all about it! Why hadn't Obama revealed this little gem of a conversation he had with Wright, umm? Why did Wright bring it out finally at this time? What do you...

So what has Obama done ? [ 49 Answers ]

A new bill that is co-sponsored by Barak Obama and Democrat Senators Maria Cantwell, Dianne Feinstein, Richard Lugar, Richard Durbin, Chuck Hagel and Robert Menendez will increase foreign aid by the United States to a level that the UN dictates . Sugar coating it with a name no one could object to...


View more questions Search