tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682036990627515116.post1292335462628167483..comments2024-03-21T18:41:05.522-04:00Comments on Brigid Brockway is Technically a Writer: Press one for grousingBrigid Daull Brockwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06808132338148865533noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682036990627515116.post-59707715740858572532011-05-16T15:38:33.202-04:002011-05-16T15:38:33.202-04:00I find that people in every English speaking count...I find that people in every English speaking country, are TERRIBLE in general at learning other languages. Lazy. Expect everyone else to speak English. A giant proportion of them, should they find themselves living in a foreign country, would rely on their English to get by instead of attempting to learn the local language. I think we're incredibly lazy with language. In a country like the US that HAS a sizeable Hispanic population, it would make sense to teach Spanish more aggressively in school to give kids more of a bi lingual slant. It can only help in a world that will become more and more integrated eventually. It's a valuable skill for ANYONE to have and the ability of many foreign countries' kids to speak English is not only impressive, but totally embarrassing compared with English speaking children's abilities in language. I know this isn't really what your entry was about but I had to chime in as I can't help myself. :) <br /><br />Immigrants should have a certain period of time (a couple years maybe) to learn basic English. Nothing elaborate, just enough to function. And the same should apply to English speakers in other countries. TO live in any foreign speaking land, you should be required to have a basic communication in the local lingo. I mean they shouldn't throw you out if you don't, but classes should be mandatory until you pass that basic level of communication.VEGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07704685920354554043noreply@blogger.com