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From: "ttweeton" <ttweeton@comcast.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9355] Re: Accept English Only donation?
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I constantly
> try to reinforce the idea that an 'American' can speak any
language, be
> any color, practice any religion. Having lived in monolithic
societies,
> vive la diference (or somethin' like that)!
Martin, Your case examples are very true. However, consider this fact,
don't you think that the natives of these country develop resentment
towards the immigrant , who from their point of reference, refuses to learn
the language? Isn't this the problem? Resentment towards the immigrant??
I am not sure that it is a wise idea to reinforce the fact that it is ok to
live in ANY country and not find it expedient to learn the language of that
country. How can these immigrants better themselves without knowing the
native language well?? They can't. And you are encouraging them by your
statements, to continue to live in their " ghettos" as Joe calls them and
never advance.
Is the objective of an immigrant to better his lot or is the objective to
continue to live marginally? Think about what you are saying to them and
the consequences of their feeling that English is not so important,
since their teacher "said so" and think about the consequences FOR OUR
SOCIETY with this attitude. The object is not for them to "feel good"
about their situation. IIt should be to WANT to better thems selves.
Encourage and praise those that do. Continually reinforce the advantages
of learning English. This is how I handle it with my students. I ALWAYS
also add that being bi-lingual is very advantageous for those who are and
live our society. And I enumerate just what those advantages are!
Tanya Tweeton
Adult Esol
Lauderhill Community School
Fort Lauderdale ,Florida
----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin E. Senger" <MESenger@netbox.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list" <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2003 3:01 AM
Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9353] Re: Accept English Only donation?
> Living within a different language/culture is by now means a sure way to
> learn a language. The desire has to be there also.
>
> I am an ESL teacher at a local plastics factory, and several of my
> Mexican students have been in this country a decade or more. They have
> avoided learning English by remaining within their own language and
> culture group and limiting their outside (English) experience.
>
> I also know many Bosnians, and it was very common for them to live and
> work in Germany for decades and never learn German, since their ethnic
> community had reached such a critical mass that it could offer any
> support services they might need. I might add that the Bosnians I had
> talked to said a primary reason they never learned German was that they
> often felt unwelcome there.
>
> As for forcing someone to learn a language, I often surprise my students
> by asking them what is the 'official' language of the US. I constantly
> try to reinforce the idea that an 'American' can speak any language, be
> any color, practice any religion. Having lived in monolithic societies,
> vive la diference (or somethin' like that)!
>
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