‘Across the country, 21.3 million people were classified as “limited English proficient” by the 2000 census – eight percent of the population. Almost a quarter of them, five million, were born in the United States.’ (Brice) Of the 314 million people residing in America, 21.3 million people are less than proficient when it comes to the English language. Meaning, of those millions of people, they are potentially missing out on great opportunities that America holds.
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I understand that the government does not push its citizens who have immigrated into America to learn the English language at an extensive amount. In a USA TODAY article written by Adrienne Lu, she speaks of Common Core State Standards. Common Core State Standards are basically standards in Math and English that each state believes its students should accomplish at a certain grade level. ‘…some states are striving for a common definition of an English-language learner. The task likely will take years, given the political and policy thickets that need to be cleared.’ This again, ties into unity of state and nation under one common element among it’s citizens – being one common language. It is known that if students exceed the standard or are average, states will get more funding. As it stands, America’s unemployment has raised over the years as a controversial fact, however without speaking English, immigrants who want to possess a stable job in this economy will have little chance because more than likely the city they will inhabit will have only a majority of English speakers who will receive those jobs before them. Also the fate of missing important information in their state and federal government can come apparent.
US Unemployment Rate. 2012. http://media.ycharts.com. 2013. JPEG FILE
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