Should spanish be required?

Question

I am a health care worker.

At work the other day we were looking at the requirements to get into the masters degree level programs at several colleges in Texas. Many, if not most, have recently added a requirement that the applicants first take 2 semesters of non-credit classes on "Medical Spanish."

I understand the value of being able to speak spanish. On my job I deal with non-english speaking patients every day. Many who have been here for many years. And many times I wish I could speak spanish.

But I question the correctness of requiring applicants to speak spanish in order to continue their education, and the ethics of requiring them to take 2 non-credit classes.

What do you think? Is it right?

I ask this here because these are all state run colleges. I wonder just how much politics have influenced this. Do you think it has?

Me? I will probably do just what several of my co-workers did-apply out of state where it is not required.

Answer 1

i do not believe they should force people in colledges but im in england and the compulsory secondary (high) schools make students take spanish for the first 3 yrs, and then get a choice in yr 10 when we start gcses. As i took spanish in gcse, i find it very useful, and believe u will aswell, but itshould be a choice of taking spanish for the first to semestas or not at all.

Answer 2

wow, good question, I feel somewhat split about this...I am Latina and I dont think it should be required, I think that it should be offered BUT I also feel that maybe employers should pay for this...and the classes can be provided via company at the employees convenience....and then on the other hand, I sometimes feel like I have the upper hand when applying....not really the "upperhand" but I feel it's a bonus on my side when I put it down on my resume...

No they should not require you to do that....they should also appreciate that you do speak a second language....it shouldn't have to be Spanish

Answer 3

It seems that the classes that are being required are very specific.  MEDICAL SPANISH   The vocabulary and terminology in these courses would be useful in dealing with patients.  This would not be your usual tourist or travel phrases.

You may need this vocabulary and terminology to deal with patients in the future.

Even though someone maybe here for years, when it comes to certain situations they revert or feel more comfortable using their native language.  

My mom was a prime example of this.  Every time we went to the doctor, she had me to her in Spanish what the doctor had said.  She

understood, she had been here 20 years before I was born--but she felt more at ease with Spanish when it came to difficult or uncomfortable situations.

Answer 4

The thing is that Spanish is a "de facto" second language in America whether we like it or not now and being able to speak it is clearly an advantage and a necessity nowadays...me myself i already started taking lessons and my son stays with his mexican nanny many hours everyday and he speaks it now with no problem and i am fine with that cuz I know thats gonna make a difference for him ....about what u say that if its RIGHT??? Well theres no really answer to that, depends on how u wanna see it, i guess that if they require it it must be because it is absolutely necessary and important for your job i mean if u live in new mexico or california where 50% is hispanic i can understand why they require it...