Don't expect all to learn English
The Shelter Island Library recently began offering ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. Credit: J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Regarding "Spanish speakers should learn English" [Letters, June 20], yes it would be great if everyone living in America spoke English. People would be able to communicate better, earn more money, have better job opportunities, read Newsday and participate in our democracy more easily.
But not everyone has the American ideal of self-improvement and community. Some people are happy living their lives in a vacuum, and we can never change that.
With the job market so tight, I encourage American students to learn another language, especially Spanish. It will double their chances of finding a job, improve their social lives and enable them to more comfortably travel about the world.
We should worry about ourselves, and let those people who don't want to learn English remain in the dark.
Gene Towba, Plainview
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