Bilingualism: A Key to Success in the U.S.A
As I’m writing this article I’m slowly typing my thoughts and translating the words in my head from my native dialect of Waray to my National language Tagalog and into English. As a Filipino immigrant I have a unique perspective on why it is important for immigrants to learn to read and speak English. It is significant for us immigrants to learn English when we move to America. Learning English is very important because it improves one’s opportunity of getting a good job. Learning English helps communicate with Americans and other non-English speakers. Finally, it also enriches and broadens one’s social life. For these reasons, I believe it is important to learn and clearly speak English in this country in order to make a living, for better communications with others, and to have a more meaningful social life, but that it is also important for native English speakers to learn another language fluently.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Professional Advancement and Employment Opportunities
3. Communication and Social Integration
4. Cultural Enrichment and Mutual Responsibility
Objectives and Topics
This article explores the critical importance of immigrants learning English to achieve professional success, improve communication, and integrate into American society, while simultaneously arguing for the value of native speakers learning a second language to foster mutual understanding.
- The impact of English proficiency on job prospects and career advancement.
- The role of language in overcoming social barriers and community isolation.
- Personal perspectives on the challenges of language acquisition and integration.
- The necessity of mutual effort between immigrants and native-born Americans.
- The importance of linguistic diversity in the context of the American experience.
Excerpt from the Book
Bilingualism: A Key to Success in the U.S.A
As I’m writing this article I’m slowly typing my thoughts and translating the words in my head from my native dialect of Waray to my National language Tagalog and into English. As a Filipino immigrant I have a unique perspective on why it is important for immigrants to learn to read and speak English. It is significant for us immigrants to learn English when we move to America. Learning English is very important because it improves one’s opportunity of getting a good job. Learning English helps communicate with Americans and other non-English speakers. Finally, it also enriches and broadens one’s social life. For these reasons, I believe it is important to learn and clearly speak English in this country in order to make a living, for better communications with others, and to have a more meaningful social life, but that it is also important for native English speakers to learn another language fluently.
First, learning English is very important because it improves one’s opportunities for getting a good job. For a person to get a job he or she must first meet the requirements of the employer. The ability to read and write English enables them to communicate with a far larger group of customers that an American business would probably work with. Otherwise, “when immigrants don’t learn English, they are doomed to remain second class citizens (or never become citizens). They are forced to take low paying jobs, their children are raised in poverty, often don’t finish school, take low paying jobs themselves, raise their own children in poverty and remain in this cycle.” (Poisl). Therefore, the ability to speak English is significant for an immigrant to enhance their chance of getting a better job, and providing a higher quality of education and life to their family, which are two of the things that so many coming to America seek.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author introduces her personal background as a Filipino immigrant and outlines the fundamental necessity of English proficiency for newcomers in America.
2. Professional Advancement and Employment Opportunities: This section discusses how English language skills are essential for meeting employer requirements and breaking the cycle of poverty associated with limited job prospects.
3. Communication and Social Integration: The chapter focuses on how language acts as a bridge for community involvement, reducing the isolation and misunderstandings faced by immigrants.
4. Cultural Enrichment and Mutual Responsibility: The final part argues that the burden of language learning should be shared, encouraging native English speakers to learn a second language to foster a more inclusive society.
Keywords
Bilingualism, Immigration, English Proficiency, Employment, Communication, Social Integration, Cultural Diversity, Language Acquisition, American Dream, Community, Second Language, Mutual Understanding, Linguistic Barriers, Career Success, Assimilation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this article?
The article focuses on the necessity for immigrants to learn English as a means of achieving professional success, improving social interactions, and fully integrating into American society.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the economic benefits of language proficiency, the emotional impact of language barriers, the role of immigrants in the American cultural landscape, and the call for reciprocity in language learning.
What is the author's main research question or objective?
The objective is to demonstrate why English proficiency is essential for the immigrant experience and to advocate for a two-way street where native speakers also engage in learning other languages.
Which scientific or analytical methods are used?
The author employs a personal narrative approach combined with cited research and evidence from experts like Donna Poisl and personal anecdotes related to Amy Tan's work.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the direct correlation between English skills and job opportunities, the challenges of overcoming accents and social anxiety, and the necessity of building empathy between different cultural groups.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Keywords such as Bilingualism, Immigration, English Proficiency, and Cultural Diversity best summarize the scope of the discussion.
How does the author relate personal experience to the broader topic?
The author uses her own struggle as a Filipino immigrant, including her hesitation to use the phone, to illustrate the common emotional and practical challenges of adapting to a new language.
What does the author suggest about the responsibility of native English speakers?
The author contends that native speakers should also learn a second language, not only for economic advantages but to become more sympathetic and effective in interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Quote paper
- Beth McKnight (Author), 2010, Bilingualism: A Key to Success in the U.S.A, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/167879
