Well Comrade B. Hussein Obama, got news for ya…

I speak several foreign languages and that, in and of itself, will get you a collective yawn from American employers.

What is going on is several things and it is instructive not to conflate them.

1) This massive cohort of invasive illegal immigrants are very different from those who came before them in that, they don’t particularly want to be Americans, as much as they want to be Mexicans in America.

The steaming, teeming masses waiving Mexican and flags from other nations South O’ Dee Border, coupled with chants of si se puede and Reconquista was stark testimony to this.

Also, having lived in the foreign enclave of Miami-Dade, I found that not only is there a general disinterest in learning English, there is contempt for it and for those natives who speak it. In many ways, this is truly an invasion, aided and abetted by government officials who, for some ungodly reason, want this invasion to continue unabated.

2) Yes, learning a second language is invaluable to the individual, if only for the greater worldview it affords, particularly if learning that language is accompanied by living in that country for awhile, eating the food, drinking the wine and generally getting to know the people. The world instantly becomes both a larger and smaller place. (ask me to explain it sometime)

3) American employers, to include those who employ skilled professionals, are in many ways like the employers of illegals in the foodpacking industry, hospitality, construction and other areas where Americans have been displaced from the workplace.

Using the H1B visa program, they are letting go American medical and technical professionals and hiring in their places, comparatively dirt-cheap professionals.

So, while it is good to be international in outlook, and Americans will always be better-served by gaining knowledge, be it of foreign languages and the hard sciences, American corporations need to play along and quit screwing Americans out of jobs by hiring dirt-cheap foreign labor.

At the bottom of it all is this: the American corporation is really a misnomer.

US-based corporations, for some time now, have instead considered themselves MNCs or Multinational Corporations and whatever is best for the corporation is the plan of the day. By and large, they have lost all loyalty to the country which shelters, protects and nurtures them.

R108,

There is a little more to it than that.

Once, while overseas, I was discussing this issue with one of the natives. Having seen a bit of the situation in Europe, I explained to him the reason for the American failure to learn foreign languages:

A European usually lives in a country about the size of an American state. A fair proportion of their film and music entertainment is still transmitted or shown in theaters in English. That same European will often live quite close to the border of one or more foreign countries and will encounter foreigners from all over Europe and even the world on a daily basis.

In education, they will often learn their own language, plus English and perhaps even a third foreign language. Kids will often be found traveling by train, accompanied by teachers, through many countries throughout Europe. These younger kids will oftentimes consider themselves to be more European than whatever nationality they are. That has been the plan and design of the European Community and now the European Union. By thinning the individual nationalisms of each state, wars like WWI and WWII would be much less likely.

Key to it all is that English is necessary and will be encountered by them in their daily lives. The knowledge of English and other foreign languages is not only useful to them, in many ways it is imperative that they can speak English for a myriad of reasons.

Now, for the average American, they can travel from sea to shining sea and hear and speak only English.

They might venture overseas once in awhile, and while it is always better that they communicate with the natives in their own language, more often than not, you can stand on any given street corner in the world and locate someone who speaks English.

The average American does not travel that much outside their own home town, much less overseas. What then is the utility of learning a foreign language when it is only rarely used?

The exception might be areas where Americans are being swamped by invasive illegal immigration. Here the American will have to learn the language of the invader to understand what they are saying about the gringo before they surprise you.

Rob,

As a computer science major I couldn’t agree more about the math and science issue. Once again though, I think we should just raise the standards across the board. In my opinion, no student should graduate high school without at least having Algebra II and Geometry. In addition, students should have to have at least three non-remedial science courses, two with labs, from at least two different disciplines (e.g. chemistry & physics or biology & geology).

So, if I ever have kids I’ll most likely be sending them to private schools with tough standards (I wouldn’t rule out a Catholic school). If I had my way, this would be the required curriculum of high schools:

English- 4 years of writing intensive courses to include grammar, sytax and sentence diagrams.

Math- 3 years of courses emphasizing logic and critical thinking and must at least accomplish the level of Algebra II

Science – (see above)

Foregin Language – 2 years of the same language

Social Studies – 1 year of American history, 1 year of American Government/Civics and either Economics or World Geography

Physical education- 1 year of P.E. and one semester of health

Electives – to include at least one semester in public speaking/debate

Basically, we should remove the fluff (like requiring a fine arts class) and focus in on science, math, English and history. If a student wants to take a fine arts class they can but if you force a student to do so who is not interested they’re not going to learn anything anyways. Sorry for being so wordy.

I found it.

Obama speaks passable Bahasa, the language spoken in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Well, I doubt that it will help him in Europe but at least he avioded that landmine.

dirl 126:

I spent a winter in western Wyoming back in the 80′s (Rock Springs, Green River area). I would strongly advise anyopne who wants to visit – do it in the summer.

Damn, it was cold! And windy. And desolate.

When you’re driving up there and a sign says, “last gas for x number of miles”, take it seriously. It’s NOT a PR gimmick.

Beautiful country with great trout fishing, though.

No, but it is more often than not a solid indicator of intelligence.

False.

We need to learn Spanish is he nuts!? Give me a break.
We do not need to learn Spanish. If you come to the United States – you should learn the language here.
No compromise on that – as far as I am concerned.

Further, it is sort of embarrassing that most citizens from foreign countries speak at least two languages thoroughly.

It’s only “embarrassing” to America haters like you. The reality is that it’s a symbol of our success and power that people wishing to move upward in life seek to do business with us, and in so doing, learn English.
You have it backwards, as usual.

Hell, Hannitized! Speaking English more than casually would benefit you tremendously! I suggest remedial classes, STAT!

Want to compare W2s and job responsibilities?? I would be careful what you say before you go about spouting your immature mouth off.

I speak several foreign languages and that, in and of itself, will get you a collective yawn from American employers.

That is pure BS. Talk to Cisco, SUN, HP, NetApp, IBM, Foundry Networks any tech company that is doing business world wide. They need reps who are bilingual and usually, those rare folks who have the talent and the ability to speak two languages generally hold their positions longer, because there are few people who can replace them.

You do a much better job representing your company on a global scale if you can speak the local language of the countries you do business in.

Or even if you live in an HubZone you would recognize the importance of this.

Your ignorance of the facts is not a powerful argument.

Form W2 (Federal Wage and Tax Statement), while a reasonable indicator of wages earned, is in no way an indicator of proficiency in written or spoken English.

No, but it is more often than not a solid indicator of intelligence. Especially when compared to another who is claiming that English skills represent intelligence, when the argument suits them. Not to mention that the very same person would flip-flop on that same argument when needed. That is an indicator of ethics and standards, that the particularly sorry person happens to lack.

Likewise, employment status and responsibilities are in no way an indicator of proficiency in written or spoken English.

No, but they are when considering intelligence.

You guys like to focus on trivial matters that don’t have any relevance to the bottom line.

Actually, the intelligent people avoid withholding taxes by making their money by investing; they may not have any W2 income at all.

So Bush is more intelligent than most of his liberal critics, because his W-2 is bigger? Awesome! That’s settled! Heh.

Your idiot logic sets aside reason and rational thought. The specific example you cling to is of course beyond an exception to the rule.

Everyday Americans who are not the president of the United States, pretty much are held accountable to performance evaluations and maintain their employment, salaries and raises having gone through the process.

Having your income based upon your ability to influence others and to trust you help them make substantial changes to their enterprise infrastructure requires a bit more than average intelligence.

Stop pretending that you are either smarter than others because your punctuation is fantastic. You look like an idiot constantly making that argument.

Hussein doesn’t even speak Spanish himself! What a cabron!

Spanish is the preferred second (first) language because it’s root is so close to many other languages & it’s use-able in more places.
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But, just for ellinas, here’s a little Chinese….John Wayne style:
I’ll take the poo-poo platter, Hop Sing.
Now….CHOP CHOP!
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Lord, I ‘pologize….

So, if I ever have kids I’ll most likely be sending them to private schools with tough standards (I wouldn’t rule out a Catholic school). If I had my way, this would be the required curriculum of high schools:

If those are your standards, just move to PA. The standards at the public school in my district are:

English- 4 years. Though I have to admit that the writing and grammar should have had a larger focus.

Math and Science: 3 years in one and 4 years in the other (students could choose how they wanted the years distributed among the two subjects. Required to at least have geometry and Algebra 2 (exceptions for developmentally handicapped individuals), though most students achieve higher levels of math. Students were required to take biology and chem (both with labs) and one other science course. Most students also took physics with a lab.

Foreign Language: minimum 2 years of same language. Most students had 4-5 years (foreign language program starts in 8th grade).

Social Studies: 4 years- 9th Grade- American History, 10th Grade- World Cultures (including world geography), 11th Grade- World History, 12th Grade- American Government and Economics. Many students also took honors and AP courses that covered each topic further in-depth. There was also a current events elective.

Physical education- P.E. every other day all 4 years. Health every other day for two semesters.

Electives: Public Speaking mandatory for one semester.

Basically, we should remove the fluff (like requiring a fine arts class) and focus in on science, math, English and history. If a student wants to take a fine arts class they can but if you force a student to do so who is not interested they’re not going to learn anything anyways.

In the district, students do not have to take any art-related classes in high school. But there was a good art program for those that did choose to do so.

There are good public schools out there, but they’re harder to find then should they be. If possible, I would also like to send my kid’s to private schools.

Being bilingual does not mean just english and spanish.

Tell that to Obama; he’s the one pimping for Spanish.

Just one question: Does anyone know how many languages Obama speaks? For his sake, it better be more than 1.

An vociferous argument from a solid position of ignorance I see.

That may be true for technical trades, but for non-technical professions, it is a different story.

If one wants to be a legally licensed Private Pilot, he/she MUST be proficient in speaking English.
It’s the international recognized radio traffic language.

I live in Hawaii and speaking Japanese more than casually, which I do, would benefit me tremendously, especially if my territory included Japan.

Hell, Hannitized! Speaking English more than casually would benefit you tremendously! I suggest remedial classes, STAT!

If the shoe fits, wear it.

Heh.

You are a total idiot if you think those example (sic) has changed anything.

That’s right, kiddies! Han-job just doesn’t know how to quit when he’s behind! (And some people think he’s a BIG behind!)
Tell him what he’s won: A chance to fit this into your “rule”: If, as you say:

No, but it is more often than not a solid indicator of intelligence.

More often than not?
Then, compare the W-2′s of professional athletes to teachers!
Please explain how ALL these exceptions to your rule apply, and how all professional athletes are more intelligent than their high school teachers and college faculty.

Buy extra popcorn for this one, folks! If he shows up (and that’s a big if! Han-job has a tendency to slink away after he’s had his ass handed to him!) it will be entertaining to watch the pretzel like logic involved to defend the same lame premise that was on its last legs before anyone even challenged it.

Speaking of “challenged”, take it away, Han-job!

You guys like to focus on trivial matters…

You’re right! We do pay more attention to you than you’re worth!

Spanish/English/whatever; the POINT is the Obamadable is a liberal elitist Euro-phile who thinks most of us unwashed American voters need someone SMART LIKE HIM to lead us out of darkness. Hussein, besa mis nalgas! How about dat Hussein for some Spanish?

I figured the example would be too difficult for you, Han-job. Paris is like Einstein compared to you!

pay you to be entrusted.

English not first language, Han-job? Maybe someone could draw you a picture?

BTW, It’s just so darned cute when you try to insult me! The little misspellings and grammatical errors remind me of the last time one of my kids was two. (Only he was a lot brighter than you even then!)

….cranking out engineers and scientists…who are bilingual and highly sought by american bussiness.

As usual you have no idea what you are posting. Speaking from experience, bilingualism has nothing to do with the hiring of foreign technical people, however proficiency in english does i.e. they have to be able to communicate with American engineers, duh. Thanks to years of British domination, all educated Indians can speak english fluently.

That may be true for technical trades, but for non-technical professions, it is a different story.

Then your statement that “American employers give a collective yawn” for English speaking employees is horribly inaccurate.

eunichized,

The only “idiot logic” here is someone who brings in Form W2 and Job Description/Responsibilities as measures of literacy (subsequently changed to measures of intelligence) while writing:

I would be careful what you say [sic] before you go about spouting your immature[ sic] mouth off.

which would be embarrassing if written by a high school drop out.

I also think that American high school students should have to take at least two years of one foreign language.

That’s already a requirement in the public schools I went to up here in North Dakota, but personally I’d be a lot happier if we put more emphasis on the maths and sciences than on foreign languages.

Speaking Spanish is great, but right now countries like India are handing us our asses when it comes to cranking out engineers and scientists.