[ArmyTeach]

... and speaking one's native language was frowned on. We have a soldier who came to us speaking rudimentary English. That was three years ago. Today he has not only excelled on his Army Personnel tests, but is about to complete his AA degree. He is fluent in written and spoken English, albeit with an accent that doesn't interfere with this communication.His wife is also doing well in the nursing program at the 'U.' I heard another soldier ask our guy to say something in Romanian. All he got was 'the look.'

[metmom]

In my parents day, if you spoke a language in front of someone that you knew they didn't understand, it was considered extremely rude. They didn't want people to think that they were talking about you or telling secrets. My grandmother, who spoke broken English and only spoke Polish at home, would always speak only in English whenever my mom had one of her friends over, even though it was difficult for my grandmother. I am constantly amazed at the fluency in English that I have observed in many immigrants. My hats off to any who might be reading this post.