Quoting Bangtail:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:</b>" Totally. And gawd-smurfing-forbid ... [snip!] ... there's criminals in the mix, but most are just trying to better themselves and their families and I can't fault them for that."

Our neighborhood is heavily Armenian, and our state is very Spanish-heavy.

I've got my kids learning both, and frankly, they love it, and know more than I do. It will absolutely benefit them now and in the long run.

We take them to any kind of cultural event that we can, I think it's super important to do so because we do live in such a diverse area.

Seems to me like people like to wave their little American flags around and shout about learning English--when, we're a melting pot---nobody has to know English to live here, nor should they.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Tarynosaurus Rex:</b>" I just noticed you live in Katy. You're not far from me at all. We didn't learn vosotros in high school cuz my teacher said it was mostly used in Spain."</blockquote>



My teacher taught us the vosotros form. I actually learned Spanish when I lived in Alaska, from a teacher who could speak Spanish, English, French, German, and Japanese. She was pretty amazing.

Quoting Dr. Paradigm Shift:" Our neighborhood is heavily Armenian, and our state is very Spanish-heavy. I've got my kids learning ... [snip!] ... around and shout about learning English--when, we're a melting pot---nobody has to know English to live here, nor should they. "

I think most people here forget that their ancestors were immigrants. But oh it's different to them since they've been here a while. America should not just cater to white Anglo-Saxon people. This is America. This is a very diverse country. I hate the general mindset of America. I think it's great that you show your kids other cultures. Part of why other countries hate us is because we act like everyone else should cater to us but we don't want to do smurf to learn about other countries.

Quoting Bangtail:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Tarynosaurus Rex:</b>" I just noticed you live in Katy. You're ... [snip!] ... when I lived in Alaska, from a teacher who could speak Spanish, English, French, German, and Japanese. She was pretty amazing."

I lived in Alaska for 7 years and wasn't taught Spanish lol.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Tarynosaurus Rex:</b>" I lived in Alaska for 7 years and wasn't taught Spanish lol."</blockquote>



Really? Where? I went to Service High School. I looooooved it there. I'm taking my husband up next summer for my best friend's wedding and I'm hoping I can give him the Ak bug.

Quoting Bangtail:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Tarynosaurus Rex:</b>" I lived in Alaska for 7 years and wasn't ... [snip!] ... it there. I'm taking my husband up next summer for my best friend's wedding and I'm hoping I can give him the Ak bug."

I was born in Anchorage. Went to kindergarten and first grade at Chester Valley Elementary School.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Tarynosaurus Rex:</b>" I was born in Anchorage. Went to kindergarten and first grade at Chester Valley Elementary School."</blockquote>



Do you remember the tattoo shop on Northern Lights with the big light-up tattoo needle? My best friend whose wedding I'm in is the daughter of the owner and she works there now. I was born down here but my dad got transferred there when I was 12. I'm an oil brat  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Tarynosaurus Rex:</b>" I was born in Anchorage. Went to kindergarten and first grade at Chester Valley Elementary School."</blockquote>




Oh, if you like to read, there's actually a zombie series that's set in anchorage and its fun to read. It's not stellar writing, but it's fun because he describes places in the book like the captain cook and 5th ave.

Quoting Tarynosaurus Rex:" I just noticed you live in Katy. You're not far from me at all. We didn't learn vosotros in high school cuz my teacher said it was mostly used in Spain."

I was born in Katy. Grew up in Cypress  

Quoting Bangtail:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Tarynosaurus Rex:</b>" I was born in Anchorage. Went to kindergarten ... [snip!] ... fun to read. It's not stellar writing, but it's fun because he describes places in the book like the captain cook and 5th ave."

I was only 7 when I left so I don't really remember much.

Quoting FroggysMommy:" I was born in Katy. Grew up in Cypress  "

They're both not far from Houston at all.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Tarynosaurus Rex:</b>" They're both not far from Houston at all."</blockquote>




They basically are houston. For both its hard to tell where one city limit ends and the other begins. Days like today, though, make me hate Katy. I-10 is such a beast.

Quoting Mama J♡:" You can't expect an older person to instantly learn a new language!, Remember with kids its a different ... [snip!] ... with kids its a different situation, They learn very quick! as an older person maybe 40+ years old, It's not going to be easy."

It will take time. But they can do it. My grandpa came here from Greece without knowing a word of english and he did it. He still had a strong accent ofcourse.. but he could speak english. My mom also taught ESL classes teaching adults english and helping them (the classes were free too!). So adults do try.. it may not be right away and a fast thing, which is fine. But I think if you come here you should try. I have a greek aunt who has been here years and hardly speaks ANY english. She hasn't tried and has no desire to speak it either. Everyone has told her she should.. she never knows how to ask for help if she's out and neeeds directions or anything she always wants someone to go with her. She's also very weird about Americans she thinks greeks are tons better and blah blah blah. Although she wants to live here in America and not in Greece.

i totally undestand your point. My mom at her 48 years old she's going to english classes every tuesday and thursday.
My dad in the other hand, he can speak english at a 85%.

I have opinions from both sides of this argument.

On one hand, i think anyone should at least try their best to become skilled (maybe not fluent, but at least conversational) in the language of the country they are moving to.

However, I urge some of you to take a step back and realize how pompous and arrogant Americans are lol. I mean, most countries around the world have at least portions of the population that speak English. When Americans visit other countries, they often get frustrated when people don't speak English, but then will turn around and have a "SPEAK ENGLISH OR GET OUT" attitude about immigrants to America.