Why Don't Many Illegal Immigrants Take The Time To Learn English?

The answer is in the question. The time. If the person is working full time, maybe more than one job, plus trying to take care of their family... There just isn't time. There's barely even time for getting a good night's sleep. They're doing what they can to survive. And they're not all that way. Some do learn English.

The answer is in the question. The time. If the person is working full time, maybe more than one job, plus trying to take care of their family... There just isn't time. There's barely even time for getting a good night's sleep. They're doing what they can to survive. And they're not all that way. Some do learn English.

well, you can't legally go to school if you're "illegal". You can't pay a teacher if you're under the poverty-line, and you'd be too busy working long hours to get by. Besides, why would you bother to learn the language of people who won't want you around anyway...are you supposed be grateful for the anglo's treating you like dirt?

i do not believe that they laughed at you after you asked for some salsa,that is very rare to happen in a mexican restaurant. It depends what kind of attitude you had before you walked in the restaurant. Common sense if it is a mex restaurant expect that someone may not know english that's why they call it mexican restaurant.The may have the time but not the money to afford to go to a english school,specially if they work in a restaurant and people don't tip. I have been in many mex restaurant needless to say it's my favorite kind of food beside chinese food. Next time this happens to you ask your waiter/waitress if she understood what you asked for if she/he doesn't be patient aks to the manager if you can have another waiter,don't frustrated yourself try to enjoy your food.I have been in mexico many times,and encounter american people working there,yes,you are reading right,american people and they don't know one drop of english making money one example is the texan oil company Halliburton.

I'd like to know what languages do you speak? Your question has nothing to do with languages. I mean you don't have a question about a specific language that you study at this time.

You sound to me to be fairly racist. First of all, you don't know their legal status. Your whole story is against these immigrants. That said, you are right that they should at least attempt to learn English. They don't have to become linguists or anything, but should at least try to pick up enough English to get by. When my husband came to this country, he immediately signed up for English classes, watched tv in English and studied very hard. He did the best he could, and now after several years of marriage to me, of course, his English is very good, despite the fact that we speak more Spanish than English in the house. But not everyone has that opportunity.

What makes you think thwe lady behind the counter was illegal? did you ask her for her papers? Even if she is, she has more to do than learn English. Would learning English make her legal?

i do not believe that they laughed at you after you asked for some salsa,that is very rare to happen in a mexican restaurant. It depends what kind of attitude you had before you walked in the restaurant. Common sense if it is a mex restaurant expect that someone may not know english that's why they call it mexican restaurant.The may have the time but not the money to afford to go to a english school,specially if they work in a restaurant and people don't tip. I have been in many mex restaurant needless to say it's my favorite kind of food beside chinese food. Next time this happens to you ask your waiter/waitress if she understood what you asked for if she/he doesn't be patient aks to the manager if you can have another waiter,don't frustrated yourself try to enjoy your food.I have been in mexico many times,and encounter american people working there,yes,you are reading right,american people and they don't know one drop of english making money one example is the texan oil company Halliburton.

well, you can't legally go to school if you're "illegal". You can't pay a teacher if you're under the poverty-line, and you'd be too busy working long hours to get by. Besides, why would you bother to learn the language of people who won't want you around anyway...are you supposed be grateful for the anglo's treating you like dirt?