We live in a large Hispanic populated state and we are told my kids have to learn Spanish, yet this is America and we speak English, we were born English/ German/ Indian/ Hungarian/ basically. I am a Heinz 57 (which means many nationalities) honestly none in Spanish. We teach our kids sign language because of family and German because I lived there at one time and have German aunt. But we are told we have to teach them Spanish. We are also followers of Christ and teach them Hebrew, yet none of what we teach them is considered a 2nd language that can be used in the work place. Where is that right either. i shouldn't have to learn Spanish either just to understand what my children are learning in school and speaking with their Spanish- English speaking friends in my presents, where is that fair for the parents either. When I lived in Germany in the military we had to learn German. Why should we as Americans have to learn Spanish to live in our own state?
That word bilingual, my kids speak other languages. To the state being bilingual is Spanish-and English. But they speak Hebrew and German too, but that’s not bilingual by the states definition. I called that being selective to what they claim as bilingual. I call that racist to only claim Spanish as the only bilingual language for a job. Where is that fair either. I have Spanish friends who agree with me. I also have an Italian friend who was forced to learn English to even get any help from the state, so why should that be any different from the Spanish issue. Schools don’t offer as many language classes as they used too. My brother, a teacher doesn't think its fair to only have limited language classes to offer. My oldest speaks and understands some Spanish by choice, but I have a younger child who is mentally handicap where communication is a hard thing to do. She is also the reason we had to learn sign language. Spanish makes it harder on her own mind.

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Spanish is one of the most popular languages used in this country, alongside English (as the first) and A.S.L. The U.S. doesn't have an 'official language', although some states do as their official language of the state. The U.S. Census predicts that by the year 2050, people of hispanic origin will become a majority in this country. Anyways, it is just a good idea to learn another language that is rapidly growing and popular in your region, so you will understand many of those who don't know how to speak English and vice-versa. People who speak just Spanish, should also learn English, so this point also applies to them as well. Everyone should become or at least attempt at being bilingual, especially in the most popular languages of their region.