Better learn to speak and write in English

Frank Phillips
Published: August 31, 2008

I hope that in addition to the great Olympic sports event hosted in the capital of China, notice was taken of a massive crash course in the English language that was conducted in China. 

Thousands of Chinese citizens in all walks of life from cab drivers, healthcare, tourist guides, transportation, etc… were given courses in basic English. Major stores and streets had their signs written in
Chinese and English. 

Far from the constant haggling in the United States over what languages students in particular should be taught, the Chinese realize “when money talks, it speaks English” in the present world, whether
you like it or not. Liberal thinkers praise a multitude of languages spoken in a country as diversity. 

However, lack of a common language for everyday activities such as education, business, healthcare, law and so forth is divisive. In ages past to recent history, the great military conquerors realized that
unity is the goal to nation building and they imposed their religion, monetary system, laws and language upon those they vanquished. 

The Greeks, Romans, Spanish, English, French, Germans, Turks and Russians are some examples.  Even these countries were generally unified by force and became great powers themselves before
their expansionist desires. 

In time the conquered colonies lost their simple tribal cultures including their languages in mainstream activities and adopted the language of the imperialist ruling them. 

In modern time, English is evolving into a world-wide language not being imposed by a conqueror but rather a common sense realization that a common language is good for conducting business and
advancing science and technology. Future population projections indicate that minority groups will outnumber today’s majority and the need for a common official language will be a necessity. If China can
teach thousands of people some English in a short time there is no excuse for the educational system to continue pandering to minority languages.  The school classes titled “English as a Second
Language” should be called “English as the Primary Language.” You will learn a language faster by being immersed in it in a school.

For the foreseeable future if a person wants to have a productive, interesting, decent paying job he or she better learn to read, speak and write English.

FRANK PHILLIPS

Woodbridge