How do you feel about employers requiring you to speak english and spanish?

Question

I am encouraging my children to learn spanish because so many jobs now require you to speak both!

How do you feel should the US continue to have 2 languages? Canada does and other countries....

IT costs alot to teach the spanish kids entering the public school system english and alot of schools dont offer the english kids spanish! but it keeps them from getting jobs.

If Mcdonalds can hire a bilingual teen over one that speaks only english you know who will get hired.

Answer 1

Spanish is too complicated and one can express them self better in English because it's breif and to the point.

Answer 2

objectivelly: yes its a good idea bc bein bilingual means america will become more tolerant to foreigners and be like many other countries in the world who have more than one language.

subjectivelly: no its a bad idea bc roughly only 10 percent of the US speaks spanish. thats no where even near the majority of english speakers of roughly 82 percent. i dont have anythin against hispanic people or illegal immigrants, but those people should have known that most people in the US speak only english and that they should be the ones to change. unless the percentage rises to 25-30 percent, i dont think we should make people teach spanish

Answer 3

Well, I don't think we should have two official languages, but it always helps to learn another language, if only for the experience.

I wouldn't say not knowing spanish necessarily keeps people from getting jobs the same way not knowing english would, but it's definitely a plus in the employers eyes.  In a customer-related job, the more people you can communicate with the better.  In some jobs, like food service, a lot of customers and other workers speak spanish, so a bilingual employee would be helpful.  

But, you have to think about the kind of jobs that "require" bilingualism:

Some are low paying jobs where other employees may not speak english (housekeeping/food service like McDonald's)

Some are human-service related where you'll be dealing with spanish speaking populations (like social work and nursing)

Some are customer-service and sales jobs, where the aim is to accommodate the customer. This includes speaking their language if possible. (like customer-service telephone lines and help desks)

Other jobs will not deal with spanish-speaking populations as much, so employers may not see bilingualism to be as much of a necessity.  Things like executive positions where you'll deal only with those working under you and commercial truck driving, where you basically work under yourself.  

I don't think we should change the official language.  I know a lot of people get upset by the fact that everything is turning bilingual, but things change.  I think if we were to discourage our children from learning spanish or other languages we'd only be doing them a disservice.  I'd hate for my child to potentially miss out on opportunities because of my pride.

So, I think it's a good thing that you recognize the need for your children to be learning spanish, whether or not it's the direction you would want for this country.

Edit: I wrote more here, but it got deleted. But, the point was mostly for the other responders:

1. English is a very difficult language to learn.  There are inconsistent rules.  

2. The only reason English is our national language is because of the people who came here.  It is no more deserving a language than Spanish, Greek, or Mandarin.  It just is our language.

3. It's not unconstitutional to speak other languages.  If a person comes to the US legally and wants to find money and work for their family and is fine having to use their 10 year-old as an interpreter, I say okay.  Life, liberty,and the pursuit of happiness right guys?

4.  Spanish is more useful in the real world than, say, physics.  Be glad you can go to school and learn both.

I understand that people resent the change, because they fear that they will be left the minority.  But, trust me, though it seems like everything is Spanish, english is not going anywhere. My father gets mad that everything is "going spanish".  After all, he says, "our family came from italy and no one changed for us".  But, we too struggled, and I think it's the right thing to do to try to accommodate whenever possible. So, if I have to press 1 for english, okay.  I won't let it ruin my life.  

Finally, Millenium, I don't know if you've been to another country before, but they make a lot of effort to speak english to visitors.  Even people on the street will try for the most part.  At least in Italy.  We're all people.  We all learned languages to communicate. They're supposed to bring us together for all kinds of reasons: to help and learn from each other, to do business and trade, etc.  

If you choose to hate, you're only hurting yourself.  I've never seen a Mexican person get angry at me when my spanish isn't good enough. Though I think bank tellers, waiters, customer service people should be able to speak english well so that the majority of the population can communicate, you have no reason to dislike the factory worker or the landscaper in your neighborhood because he can't speak english at your level.  He probably doesn't want to talk to you anyway. :)

P.S. Mamie--my sentiments exactly.  I don't think Spanish should be our official language like English.  I agree with other posters there, but I can't stand the hatred that comes along with other people's thoughts.  It's one thing to hate the change or even the language (though it is a beautiful language if you get to know it- all the romance languages are), it's a totally different (and dangerous) thing to hate the people who speak it.

Answer 4

I thank that if a foreigner come to OUR country they should learn OUR languages (ENGLISH).

It is not rigth that they are trying CHANGE our ways, language, religion are any other part of OUR COUNTRY for them.  

To me that would be like me moving to Mexico and saying "NOW THAT I'M HERE ALL MEXICAN CITIZENS HAVE TO LEARN ENGLISH. YOU ARE NO LONGER ALOUD TO SPEAK SPANISH. YOU HAVE TO CHANGE JUST FOR ME." If I moved to Mexico I would be expected to speak there languish.



Don't I have rigth to be a American Citizen and speak the American Languish (English)? Are did I lost my American Citizenship when they moved here?

And about the employers requiring you to speak english & spanish...

I'm working on being self-employed and doing jobs that don't require me to talk to the general public.

If they don't like the American (Languish, Ways, Religion, Laws etc...) then I say

"Bueno Adiós. No deje a la puerta golpearle donde el ¡Dios mío! hendidura usted."

(Good Bye. Don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you.)

Edit:

I agree with every one that is saying learning a foreign language & education is good. I am learning German & Tagalog becouse I'm planeing on going over thair to ther counties and I don't expect them to change there langlishs (or ways) just for me are anyone else no matter there race or home country.

To Montana....

It's not unconstitutional to speak other languages......What is unconstitutional is being FORCED speak other language. Don't we have freedom to ONLY speak our native language if we choose to do so? (I agree with learning other languages but by choose NOT by force.) I don't hate haspaic or the spanish langlish I know about 20 to 30 words of it.

Answer 5

and that is based on the job.. people get furious when they see when they dont get hired.. its in great demand.. its profits! if you dont get hired dont go on crying about not having a job.. theres millions of ways to get one that doesnt specifically ask you to know spanish.. its just a requirement like anything else you would need.. background , experience.., etc..

You Guys are taking all this out of context... if the spanish speaking people werent here.. there would not be a great demand for spanish plus this isnt just a fact but were ever theres a certain language and it grows..think about why its growing ..... if you guys really wanted to get a job you will at least learn the basics ... dont complain when your watching your favorite latin actresses....

Answer 6

What is wrong with our kids being smarter?

I know education is expensive....imagine how much ignorance costs.

Answer 7

This is a great question.  One of the important aspects of a united country is a single language.  You mention that French and English are both spoken in Canada, but there are divisions in Canada that follow linguistic lines.  There are 2 languages spoken in Belgium, and there are divisions in that country, too.  In fact, the only country I am aware of that speaks several languages without noticeable division is Switzerland.

Throughout the history of the USA, one language (English) has always been used for government, education and business.  There had to be one only language or the country would have become a hodge-podge of languages because of the many countries of origin of foreign-born Americans.

In past years, immigrants to America were only too eager to learn English to become a part of the country.  Only recently, with easy international transportation and communication, has immigrants' desire to use their native language become an issue.  

I strongly disagree that Spanish (or any language other than English) be used for official, educational or business purposes in the US.  I know many new arrivals have difficulty with English, but that has always been the case.  People learned English because it was necessary to get ahead, and that is needed to maintain a united country.

This does not mean that one should not learn other languages.  Of course, everyone should.  But knowing several languages is not the same as having to use it in everyday life in this country.

Answer 8

I hate learning spanish in school.  It's a waste of time.  I could be learning something else more useful.  

Answer 9

I'm fine with employers requiring a second language (in this case Spanish).  They are the employer and it is their prerogative of whom they hire.  If I had children I would encourage them to learn both languages as well.

There is a difference between Canada and the USA where the languages are concerned.  Canada is officially bilingual and the USA is not.  So technically the USA doesn't have '2' languages.  If your local school doesn't offer Spanish as part of its curriculum there are always ways around this it is just a bit more difficult.  

I'd say go for it.  I am from a bilingual country and think that learning a second, third, or even more languages is a great thing.  When you learn the language you are not just learning it but you are also learning more culture and have better job aspects where ever you are.  Most Europeans can speak more than 1 language.  And some people argue it is because it is 'needed' . . .it is only needed because it is benifitial, would it not be benfitial in your country?  I personally never understood why the American schooling system generally promotes ignorance of other countries/languages anyway (and from those people I have talked to general education is harder in Europe as well, not just languages).  

Edit:

Yes the "American Languish" excellent way of putting it Mr. Hord.  

I love the "its not constitutional" the American answer to everything :)  It's the employers choice, it is a 'free' country and if the employer was looking for someone who spoke Flemish and you didn't well your out of luck.  No one is forcing you to learn Spanish even if there is certain jobs that require it.  Just look for another job . . . really, its just like getting a university education, it is a skill that the government doesn't require you to get but one that makes you a better candidate for the work force.  

All that being said I don't know why everyone is getting their knickers in a knot.  The USA doesn't have an official language . . . to at least make the argument legit about speaking your official tongue maybe that should be fixed first no?? Instead of invading other countries and being elsewhere in the world where you don't belong fix your problems at home first.

Answer 10

okay im not against learning a differnet language but to be required to is stupied. and the way i see it if the kid speaks spanish and has to learn english to go to school then thats their problem but nobody should be required to know spanish in my point of view. if their job requires it then they should learn it if they really really want the job i guess  

Answer 11

Learn english or move on, unless a second language is required to perform the job like a trans later, it should not be required, we should not enable lazy people not to learn english.

Answer 12

I encourage it.  Americans are very uneasy with languages.  learn Spanish.  We will all be speaking it in 20 years.  Learning a foreign language helps you understand your own language (English).  It expands the mind and forces you to understand the culture of other peoples.

Answer 13

It's c**p!  You shouldn't have to learn to speak anything other that English.  It should be your choice and you should not be passed over for a promotion by someone that knows both!  This is the united states no Mexico.  If people can't learn how to properly speak English then THEY need to take classes not us english speakers that were born and raised here from parents that were born and raised here.

Answer 14

It's almost necessary now with the # of Hispanic immigrant in the US. Most other countries 'require' learning/knowing English, because it's the universal language. But Spanish is not so I don't agree with the 'requirement' on our part.

I think that foreigners who choose to live & work here should also be 'required' to learn English. I would expect to do the same if I chose to live & work in their country.

As far as encouraging our kids to learn a 2nd or 3rd language? Or ourselves?? We're better for it no matter the reason.

Answer 15

To REQUIRE you to speak both would be, I believe, UNCONSTITUTIONAL.  This is AMERICA !!!!  I even resent the fact that labels now have english and spanish written on them!  Even billboards are in both languages.   AND IT'S BULLSH*T!   When I go to Mexico, or any spanish speaking country, I don't see THAT country accommodating my english. . . .so WTF !!!!!   If you LIVE IN AMERICA. .. .you need to SPEAK OUR LANGUAGE !!!!

Answer 16

I think everyone should learn a second language.  It helps you in the long run for your life and can lead you to even one day traveling for your job.

You can learn so much more if you know the language of a place you are visiting, than if you just use english.  Plus others will respect that your are trying to speak their language.

I think it should be a requirement, in europe 80% of people are bilingual, we should be able to speak another language with no problem since so many already speak spanish.

Answer 17

i think its great that you are giving your children a great education