U.S. English Supports Broadening National Language Strategy

Efforts must also include policy for English Learning for Immigrants

regarding the National Security Language Initiative.

On Thursday, President Bush announced a proposal to spend $114 to increase the teaching of several foreign languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Farsi. The project is designed to increase the foreign language ability of American high school students, contributing to greater national security and cultural understanding.

“As an immigrant who speaks four languages, I agree wholeheartedly with the President’s emphasis on foreign language learning. Our image as a nation, our ability to function in diplomacy and business, is dependent on the citizens of America learning the languages of the world. But our continued unity as a nation will depend on the ability of immigrants to America learning our common language, English.

“The president’s proposal is based on a correct premise that has implications for the Official Language debate: language learning is important, but it will not happen at adequate levels without harnessing the formidable power of the government to actualize it. If it is appropriate for us to have a national policy on one side of the coin, it is appropriate for a national policy on the other.

“In 1999, President Clinton said in his State of the Union speech, ‘We have a responsibility to make immigrants welcome here and they have a responsibility to enter the mainstream of American life. That means learning English and learning about our democratic system of government.’ Seven years later, this challenge remains unaddressed by federal policy.

“Today, more than 11 million people living in the United States, including more than two million who were born here, speak little or no English. Without a grasp of our common language, they cannot provide for their own personal and financial security, let alone contribute to our national goals. Any attempt to improve the foreign language abilities of Americans must be coupled with efforts to improve the English speaking ability of immigrants to our nation.”