Ethnically Speaking by Larry Meeks

Dear Larry: I'd like to hear your thoughts on a situation my husband and I have been debating. This concerns our 2-year-old daughter.

When it comes time for her to start kindergarten, we will have to make a decision whether to send her to the elementary school next door or drive her a few miles away to another school. Both schools are outstanding, however, the one farther away offers a Spanish immersion school.

I am in favor of the Spanish immersion school because in this day Spanish is becoming more and more prominent. I am concerned that without knowing Spanish, she will have trouble getting the better jobs, because job seekers need to be bi-lingual. Here in California, more and more jobs require English and Spanish.

I don't think this is right. My daughter is a native Californian, and she should be able to get a job based on her competency, without being required to make up for someone else's inability to speak English. Regardless of how I feel, I realize that my personal feelings will not get her the right job. I understand that it is up to employers as to what kind of employees they need and what they believe is necessary for them to do business.

I have reached the conclusion that, as unfair as it is, we have an obligation to give our daughter every possible advantage, including an opportunity to grow up bilingual.

My husband, as I am sure you guessed, does not agree with me. He does not want to give in to this trend on moral and political grounds. I understand why he feels this way. I admit it feels like we're surrendering to a hostile takeover.

What would you do in this situation? — Sha

Dear Sha: I believe your decision to send your daughter to a Spanish immersion school is wise.

I know you feel like you are being forced into a decision that does not feel right to you. What you are feeling is what the rest of the world feels with the encroachment of English into their languages. This world, not just California, is changing into a multi-cultural globe.

I think it is smart to teach a child a second language regardless of our changing social environment. Learning a second language will give your child an increased appreciation for other cultures and it will improve her communication skills. An immersion school is an excellent way to teach a child a second language without much effort.

If you do not give your child this opportunity, it will be like me stopping piano lessons for my daughter. My daughter was taking piano lessons, but she soon got tired of all the practicing. I tried to persuade her to continue, but she cried every practice time. In the end I allowed her to quit.

Today my daughter is an elementary school teacher and she, obviously, cannot play the piano. I was in her class when she blamed me for her inability to play. I was aghast and I told her it was her decision. She told me "Daddy, you should have made me practice. You knew how important it is to know music."

Sha, you know how important it is to know a second language, especially Spanish.

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