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Students may be required to take Spanish
NBC News ^ | 11/10/05 | David Karsh

Posted on 11/10/2005 9:51:24 AM PST by Millee

A proposal in Tallahassee is causing a stir in schools in Southwest Florida. The state's top democrat is supporting a plan to make Spanish classes mandatory for all students in kindergarten through second grade, just like English or Math.

The youngest students in Southwest Florida's public school system could soon be saying hola to a new language. A proposed law would make Spanish mandatory for students in kindergarten through second grade.

"I frankly believe, the earlier you teach someone, the better it is," said George Muentes, an English as a second language teacher.

The law would make Spanish a core class like math and science. It would also force school officials to shuffle an already crowded schedule."

The length of the school day won't change, but the Spanish would have to be squeezed in somewhere, which means a few popular classes may have to be cut to make room.

"The options would be the specials, the arts, music and PE. But here in Charlotte County those are very important to us," said Mike Riley of the Charlotte County school district.

If the bill passes, it won't take effect till 2007. But the thought of mandatory Spanish classes is already a controversial subject with some parents.

"I've heard it the other way that English was the language here and that's the way it's going to be. On the other hand, there is a lot of Spanish people here. No, it doesn't surprise me. I just don't like it," said parent Ed Barrick.

Senate Bill 522 is making its way through the legislature. But one top decision maker says creating the new law is unnecessary.

"It's a good idea to offer Spanish. I don't know that we need to mandate it, frankly," said Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist.

The idea may be controversial, but it may not be too long before bi-lingual books become standard for local students.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Florida
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Oh I don't know, how about making ENGLISH mandatory for everyone.
1 posted on 11/10/2005 9:51:24 AM PST by Millee
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To: Millee

The enemy within BUMP!


2 posted on 11/10/2005 9:52:12 AM PST by conservativecorner
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To: Millee

I agree whol heartedly!


3 posted on 11/10/2005 9:53:08 AM PST by Sunshine Sister
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To: Millee

Couldn't they just teach the Mexican kids English?


4 posted on 11/10/2005 9:53:35 AM PST by MarineBrat (When it rains, New Orleans makes its own gravy.)
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To: Millee

I thought English was a mandatory subject in all grades, at least it used to be.


5 posted on 11/10/2005 9:54:40 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: MarineBrat

Pretty soon it may be Arabic. Gotta prepare the Dhimmis while they're young.


6 posted on 11/10/2005 9:54:43 AM PST by Sterm26 (Indict....no, HANG Joe Wilson!)
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To: MarineBrat

RACIST!! /heavy sarc (but you get my point)


7 posted on 11/10/2005 9:55:05 AM PST by L98Fiero
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To: Millee

Just another State attempting to aid illegals.


8 posted on 11/10/2005 9:55:20 AM PST by CodeToad
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To: Millee

1. Start with English make it mandatory for everyone in the whole country.
2. Spanish or any other language besides English should be voluntary.
That being said it is cool to learn a second language. I took Latin, Italian and French and had a ball learning them. Speaking a second language also gives one an advantage as well. If i had to do it all again though i would take Cantonese and Mandarin for a few reasons the least of which is so i can understand my wife if she makes fun of me in her native tongue ;)


9 posted on 11/10/2005 9:55:24 AM PST by DM1
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To: Millee

Que?


10 posted on 11/10/2005 9:55:33 AM PST by LIConFem (A fronte praecipitium, a tergo lupi.)
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To: Millee

"George Muentes"


Wanna bet an illegal sympathizer and maybe an illegal himself?


11 posted on 11/10/2005 9:56:02 AM PST by CodeToad
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To: Millee

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this idea IF English is mandatory.


12 posted on 11/10/2005 9:56:32 AM PST by TeenagedConservative
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To: Sterm26

Actually the CIA and FBI are always looking for Arabic speakers. Great idea - at least we could have Americans as translators.


13 posted on 11/10/2005 9:56:38 AM PST by mlc9852
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To: Millee

At least it's not sex ed.


14 posted on 11/10/2005 9:56:41 AM PST by bobjam
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To: MarineBrat
Couldn't they just teach the Mexican kids English?
You racist bigot. </sarcasm>
15 posted on 11/10/2005 9:56:44 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: Millee

Oh, well. Guess we should have learned Spanish, being Americans and all. Seemed like a good idea at the time.


16 posted on 11/10/2005 9:58:28 AM PST by manwiththehands
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To: gubamyster; HiJinx

Bienvenidos a Amexica. Oprima el numero dos para Ingles.


17 posted on 11/10/2005 9:59:51 AM PST by Travis McGee (--- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com ---)
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To: Millee
I'm all for

A - Making learning a 2nd language mandatory

and

B - Making English the national language

I don't see why the two are mutually exclusive goals. Americans could profoundly benefit from being bilingual, both in the simple utility of knowing multiple languages, and in having their horizons broadened by doing so. I also think that anyone that comes to this country should adopt English as their primary language, and expect to use it for all official or business related affairs.

18 posted on 11/10/2005 10:00:08 AM PST by Steel Wolf (* No sleep till Baghdad! *)
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To: TeenagedConservative

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with this idea IF English is mandatory."

Madating a foriegn language in the curriculum would be fine. Mandating a specific one is wrong, IMO.


19 posted on 11/10/2005 10:00:13 AM PST by L98Fiero
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To: Millee
""I frankly believe, the earlier you teach someone, the better it is," said George Muentes, an English as a second language teacher."

Yep, that's how brainwashing works; start on them at a young age and the message takes a deep root.

20 posted on 11/10/2005 10:00:43 AM PST by TheCrusader ("The frenzy of the Mohammedans has devastated the churches of God" -Pope Urban II, 1097AD)
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