Absolutely! If they are going to live there, they should know the language.

Yes I think they should, it would demonstrate a certain degree of dedication to their new country.

Yes, yes, yes. Nothing wrong with preserving the language of their heritage, but if they love this country enough to want to live here then they should embrace learning the language. I know if I were to want to immigrate somewhere else learning the language is something I would want to do and plus it's good manners.

Here is a very interesting discussion about this topic: "Why Won't Immigrants Living In America Learn to speak English?" http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/SuperSerge76/4440

I don't think they should be required by law to learn the language, but none of the business establishments or government agencies which would normally do business in their countries native language shouldn't be obligated to do anything differently to accommodate people who refuse to adjust and learn to communicate. If nations and societies didn't go out their way to enable immigrants who won't assimilate and learn to be a functional member of their new home's society, then they (The immigrants) would be forced by simple necessity to do so. And if things get to the point where businesses can't function and be profitable without becoming bi-lingual, that's probably a sign that there's an excess of immigrants propping up the place's economy who don't even respect cultural customs and courtesy enough to learn the native language. And frankly, I find the implications of that kind of scenario very troubling.

...Well, local will come eventually because of slang, etc. If you mean nationally, yes. It'll be like the Chinese in New York again, they'll get forced into one place, by the natural-born citizens in the US and eventually the other immigrants because they feel they have to stay there, or have nowhere else to go. They need to learn the language, anyone who lives in a different country. Livia

Nope... The locals aren't.

If they want their transition to be successful and less stressful it would be a good idea. I don't know why so mnay come here, won't learn the language, get annoyed that we won't learn theirs...

I don't think it should be a requirement, but it should be a requirement in order to work- at least if they work with the public. IF they are in a position where they have to interact with the general public verbally (waitress, call center, anything that has them talking to customers) they should be required to at least know the words that are essential to the business. For example, if they work at McDonald's, they should know WTH a Big Mac is, and should be able to understand it without much problem. Otherwise, it shouldn't be required. People can choose their own interaction with the rest of the world.

Definitely.

No, however the locals should not be expected to provide service in the foreign language either... and the immigrants should expect to need a translator, or to learn enough to get by for what they need. Also, their CHILDREN should be learning the local language at school, and should not be educated in their parents' language.

YES! If they are going to live and work and send their kids to our schools then they should be required (by law) the official local language which happens to be English (not Spanish).

Yes, for everyones benefit including their own. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to succeed and assimilate without speaking the language in a new country.

Yes no matter what country or language, immigrants should be required to learn the primary language of the country.

1) Not required, but strongly encouraged and helped to do it. 2) Here are the countries where the primary language is English: "English is the primary language in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia (Australian English), the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, the British Indian Ocean Territory, the British Virgin Islands, Canada (Canadian English), the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey (Guernsey English), Guyana, Ireland (Hiberno-English), Isle of Man (Manx English), Jamaica (Jamaican English), Jersey, Montserrat, Nauru, New Zealand (New Zealand English), Northern Mariana Islands, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the United Kingdom, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United States (various forms of American English)." 3) However, this should not apply entirely to Canada: "Quebec (pronounced /kwɨˈbÉ›k/ or /kəˈbÉ›k/), in French, Québec (pronounced [kebÉ›k]) is a province in Canada, and the only province that is the homeland of a people recognized as a nation by the House of Commons." "The official language of Quebec is French; it is the sole Canadian province whose population is mainly francophone, and where English is not an official language at the provincial level except in the legislature and the courts, where it is co-official." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec 4) We must also make the difference between immigrants, who want to have a new life in a new country, and migrant workers or refugees.

Not as a precondition. But as the time goes by they themselves will learn the language out of necessity.

Si.

no speeker engeesh.

Yes

Absolutely. I hate it when you dial somewhere in the US (English is the language) and are prompted with "for English, press 1, for Spanish, press 2". It should say, press 1 for English, if you only can speak Spanish, you're shit out of luck".

Yes, definitely. You wanna live here, you learn the lingo. Whatever country I got stationed at, I did my best to learn the local.

I don't believe that there should be a legal requirement to learn the language - UNLESS the person is applying for jobs (even if the necessary language is in his home language, or another) or some kind of social/welfare benefits. In that case, I believe that it should be required that the person is proving his attempts to learn the language through tuition and emersion. Ultimately, that will mean that realistically speaking the vast majority of people will be required to learn the language.

No. Immigrants should first be required to have a green card, THEN be required to learn the local language. First things first.

Definately yes. The way i see it... If i was going to move to a country and i didn't know the language i would feel obliged to learn it, As should everyone!

i think that's actually what they want the most. to learn the new language and be able to fit in like everybody else.

Learning a new language to any usable extent is really hard. It's especially hard if you're trying to make ends meet spending most of your time working and taking care of a family. I think it's a huge ask to say that immigrants should be "REQUIRED" to learn the language. Encouraged, and helped? Absolutely.

Yes. If they love this country so much then they should have respect for it and it's people by learning the language.

Learning a new language takes years. Under most terms of USA immigration law, immigrants are already to know English. As one can see that does not always happen. Compulsory measures are nominal in value. If you ever traveled to a non-english speaking country, had limited skills in the tongue of the visited country, and really did not want to ask people to speak english for you, then you know what it is to be communication-challenged. You know how they feel, and you understand they already have motivation to improve.

I think from a practical perspective it does make sense, although I dont like the idea of it being 'law'. The 2 big problems with this that I can see are.... 1. The far right & ill educated & Sun readers would piss'n'moan saying that they're getting special treatment. 2. How could you enforce this when half the English born kids cant speak the language after 8yrs of schooling?

yes

yes.

Yes,for anywhere in the world. You move to a new country,learn the language.

yes. my family did and so should others. no matter where you move to, its a sign of respect to learn the local language AND speak it!!!!

Absolutely!

Yes. I try to learn at least some of the language if I'm just visiting - if you're going to live in another country it's the least you should do.

Well not require it but its good to learn it because it has more benefits. It benefits better to be able to comunicate with other people, in a job and easier to get around. This question made me remember when I used to work at a Seafood and Mexican Cuisine Restaurant an Anglo-American lady complained because the waitor did not speak legible english.

not by law imposed but some countries like russia and france impose language test before u become citizen and someother countries do not

Absolutely!!! The language is the main tool of communication so the immigrant should at least master it,not to mention that he should have some background and a knowledge of the culture,traditions and customs of the hosting country.

It definitely helps but I'm not going to put a gun to anyone's head.

Yes, i'm about tired of going everywhere and listening to people all around me speaking a language I don't even understand, I swear sometimes I feel like i'm in damn mexico!

South Africa has 11 official languages. Should an immigrant learn all 11? I think English should become the official language all over the world. Almost everyone can speak it already, except for a few countries. Everyone can still have their home language, but English should be a requirement for employment, etc. It would make life so much easier for everyone. An immigrant can still learn the local language, but not because he is forced to.

absolutetly.. i moved to the netherlands recently and they are actually paying for the courses.. also i come from a country where everything is in two languages and it can get frustrating, so more the reason for me to try and learn a new language, cause i know how annoying it can be