Quoting SpaceCowgirl:" I don't know about that. I have 4 brothers who all speak 2nd languages, which they learned by moving to those countries and just immersing themselves in it."

I don't have a knack for languages. I grew up in a German and English speaking household and I can't speak German. I mean, I know certain phrases/words, but am certainly not fluent. I would need an actual teacher, every day.

Quoting bbbt:" Well, I guess in some public schools the kids are "forced." In my county, there is a Spanish immersion elementary school where half days are taught in English, and the other half taught in Spanish. "

My husband wants our kids to go to a local Spanish immersion school. But my husband speaks Spanish so I want him to just teach our kids Spanish.

Quoting SpaceCowgirl:" I don't know about that. I have 4 brothers who all speak 2nd languages, which they learned by moving to those countries and just immersing themselves in it."

Yeah, this is how most do it. I don't think it's the governments responsibility to teach immigrants english, that has to be their responsibility.

Quoting Spencer Pratt:" Yeah, this is how most do it. I don't think it's the governments responsibility to teach immigrants english, that has to be their responsibility. "

Adults, or kids too? Because we teach child immigrants English in school.

Quoting bbbt:" Well, I guess in some public schools the kids are "forced." In my county, there is a Spanish immersion elementary school where half days are taught in English, and the other half taught in Spanish. "

That's what we do here in most private schools... I think it's wonderful!!

Quoting Rumpelstiltskin:" That's what we do here in most private schools... I think it's wonderful!! "

From what I've heard, it's a huge success.

Quoting SpaceCowgirl:" My husband wants our kids to go to a local Spanish immersion school. But my husband speaks Spanish so I want him to just teach our kids Spanish."

Kids need more than just one parent teaching or even two parents.... if your SO has cousins, aunts and uncles constantly around the kid, he will pick it up.

Kids need a high dose of the language to really pick it up unless they have that gift for languages.

Quoting bbbt:" From what I've heard, it's a huge success. "

It's great here... people who are bilingual have better chances of getting a job.

There is no official language in US. So that jacket is not only ignorant, it is pretty inaccurate. English isn't the official language.

Quoting bbbt:" Adults, or kids too? Because we teach child immigrants English in school. "

I'm speaking mostly of adults. Children legally in school in the US such as children of illegal immigrants who are US born or first generation children who did not learn English in the home should be taught English in school. I don't think they should have separate classes, immersion is the most successful method IMO.

When I was in Jr there were cousins who moved here from Mexico and a girl from Sudan, she spoke very little english and the cousins spoke next to no english. Within a year they were pretty fluent, within in two you could hardly tell they weren't native speakers.

IMO... If you are going to be here (USA) at least make an attempt to learn english.

Quoting ** A.J's Mommy**:" IMO... If you are going to be here (USA) at least make an attempt to learn english."

Even if they attempt to learn, they might not learn. English is hard, especially when you think of how fast the average American speaks and the amount of slang you use in one hour!!  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Rumpelstiltskin:</b>" Even if they attempt to learn, they might not learn. English is hard, especially when you think of how fast the average American speaks and the amount of slang you use in one hour!!  "</blockquote>




No excuse... Sometimes you have to work for what you want. There are adult education classes to take advantage of to at least learn the bare basics.

Quoting ** A.J's Mommy**:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Rumpelstiltskin:</b>" Even if they attempt to learn, they might ... [snip!] ... you have to work for what you want. There are adult education classes to take advantage of to at least learn the bare basics."

My parents have lived in Guatemala for 11 years and still cannot speak Spanish. My mom pretty much gave up but my dad still tries.... and fails.

And English is a lot harder than Spanish.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Rumpelstiltskin:</b>" My parents have lived in Guatemala for 11 years and still cannot speak Spanish. My mom pretty much gave up but my dad still tries.... and fails. And English is a lot harder than Spanish. "</blockquote>




Keep trying...