Originally Posted by Gadgetory

When have you come across anyone who was staying here for some extended stay that couldn't string a sentence together in English. I live in Los Angeles where people who speak English as a first language are a minority and I rarely come across it and when I do its a tourist. Your assumption that these people don't want to learn English is sadly mistaken of course they do. Neither do I assume that because I here Spanish speaking people speaking spanish to each other they cannot speak English as well. And lets not pretend you are not talking about Spanish speaking people. As they DO NOT come from the worlds wealthiest nation they learn English when they get here. Clearly you misunderstand actual and real poverty, they don't have money before they leave for classes or CD's in many instances un like you. Being unable to place yourself in another persons position shows a lack of empathy IMO. I think giving them some leeway to learn English upon arrival is just plain decent and it'd be rude to think otherwise. I think America is bigger then this and the suggestion that we are otherwise (that is that small minded we cannot give people leeway) is the product of way too much conservative talkback radio leaking out into the mainstream until it has become the mainstream.