Thread: Latinos say Spanish speakers want to learn but often can't

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Many left tongue-tied Debate on how to encourage English. Latinos say Spanish speakers want to learn but often can't.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
By KRISTEN ZIEGLER
The Allentown Times
No segment of the region's population has grown more systematically and dramatically in a 20-year period beginning in 1980 than the Latino community, but officials and community leaders disagree about whether English-only legislation makes sense.

"What unites us other than our humanity, our common government and our common language?" asked U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Lehigh Valley.

The congressman said he would support any amendment to make English the national language of the United States and to promote the patriotic integration of prospective U.S. citizens.

Some members of the Valley's Latino community say the will to learn English is there, but the resources aren't.

"If you ask any Spanish-speaking person if they should learn English, they will say 'yes' because if you learn English you get a good job and make money," said Pastor Nelson Quinones of Allentown's St. John's Lutheran Church, who was born in Puerto Rico and speaks both English and Spanish fluently.

And Mildred Claudia of the Allentown-based Hispanic American Organization confirmed the strong desire for Latinos to learn English. Though her organization runs classes that teach 100 people per session, she always maintains waiting lists for the English as a Second Language courses.

Quinones sees only one answer to this problem. "If politicians are concerned about people speaking English, they should appropriate money to the school districts," he said.

But Sis-Obed Torrez-Cordero, executive director of the Council for Spanish Speaking Organizations in the Lehigh Valley, disagreed with Quinones' sentiments.

While education provides exposure to a language, Torrez-Cordero said that simply funding the classes will not allow anyone to learn English faster.

"The problem is that education is political and politicians want to speed up the learning curve," said Torrez-Cordero. Even with immersion into language-based learning, Torrez-Cordero said it takes at least three years to learn a language and five to be fluent.

Although Latinos have served and lost their lives in the United States Army, with 27 Latinos earning Medals of Honor, the community's loyalty is still questioned, Torrez-Cordero contends. And one of the primary challenges of that contention is through English-only legislation.

In July the city of Hazleton approved one of the toughest measures of its kind against illegal immigration in the United States. Its English-only ordinance stated that city paperwork and street signs would only be produced in one language.

Torrez-Cordero said Hazleton's legislation could foster prejudice. "English-only can be exclusionary and can be used in a racist manner --it depends on the intentions," he said.

But the trend of more Latinos learning English is encouraging, Torrez-Cordero said.

"In the Western Hemisphere, there are more people who speak English than Spanish," he said. "If there is no cohesiveness and partnerships that are strengthened in the Western Hemisphere, where are we going to be in 20 years?"

Torrez-Cordero said Hazleton's legislation could foster prejudice. "English-only can be exclusionary and can be used in a racist manner --it depends on the intentions," he said.

Shut up with the lame racist crap...that card has been so over played...Its simple go home if English is a problem..If I went to another country I wouldn't expect people to coddle me! Stop it!

I learned German on my dime. They can learn English on theirs. That is a bunch of crap. I'm not paying for their English classes. If they need to learn English, then money is no object. NO I DON'T WANT TO PAY ANY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dixie

Although Latinos have served and lost their lives in the United States Army, with 27 Latinos earning Medals of Honor, the community's loyalty is still questioned, Torrez-Cordero contends.

Geez, there they go again, making this a Latino issue again. For the 100th time, this is about illegal immigrants, not Latinos. Exactly how many of these Medal of Honor awardees were illegal immigrants? I'm betting they were all United States citizens.

The root of the problem is that so many illegals have come into this country recently especially during Presidente Bush's terms. We're overwhelmed with so many non-English speaking people that should not even be here. So now we're suppose to put out more money to teach these people at the taxpayers expense? On top of medical, food stamps, etc.? I knew my great-grandmother from Norway who learned English with the help of a local church. I'm sick and tired of hearing about taxpayers having to take care of people for every little thing.

They have tons of churches and libraries and such teaching English for free. Many say they pick up the language by watching TV. Funny how they don't ask for community involvement or volunteers etc. Just more government money.