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You need to learn the language to be a citizen
The Gazette Opinion Staff
Feb. 22, 2014 12:41 pm
Watching the Olympics, I was amazed at the number of the Olympians from other countries interviewed who have learned to speak English. It makes one wonder why the very people that want to become citizens here do not speak English or do they appear to even want to.
Have you called a company only to have to hear them repeat what they say in English also repeated in Spanish? Many stores have Spanish along with English. Schools have to hire more Spanish-speaking teachers, Congress is even giving free Spanish lessons to those who want them. Why? This is America, we speak English here. If they want to become citizens, have all our privileges, then they should learn the language.
Norma Stasi
Iowa City
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