Spanish speakers should learn English

I find it mind-boggling that Latino activists are pushing for increased hiring of bilingual police officers in Hempstead ["Latino residents want police to be able to speak their language," News, June 10]. Their time would be better spent teaching Spanish speakers English, which would enable them to communicate with the majority of our citizenry.

You quote Salvadoran immigrant Reynaldo López in Spanish and say that he is a 21-year resident of the village. How can you live here 21 years and not have learned English?

Jeffery Liuzzi, Shirley
 

I applaud the concern of the Long Island Civic Participation Project for fair treatment of Hispanics who do not speak English, but the organization does indeed need a reality check. My parents came from Poland, and we spoke Polish in the house and English outside of the home. Learning English was possible only in night classes, but they made sure they went two nights a week, successfully passed the citizenship exam and raised three children, all of whom are college graduates.

In an effort to give back, I've taught classes in English as a second language. These classes provide students with skills to get jobs with a future. Those who neglect to learn English are hurting themselves and their families. Classes are everywhere -- in schools, churches and community groups.

Part of the problem is the reluctance to learn English on the part of Spanish immigrants. We are a country rich in cultures of many different nations, but we are shortchanging ourselves if we do not learn the language of the country we are living in. There are bilingual signs in stores, schools, government offices, etc., but they do not substitute for a knowledge of English.

Genevieve K. Millon, Huntington