Proficiency Among Immigrants

The Importance of English Proficiency Among Immigrants

Hindrance in communication alone highlights the importance for immigrants to learn the dominant language in any country they move to, more specifically, the necessity of learning English in the United States. The Importance of English Proficiency Among Immigrants Among the various challenges and expectations that immigrants are faced with when moving to a new country, the importance of second language acquisition supersedes the majority of issues when dealing with cultural assimilation. Though there is no standard expectation of proficiency, immigrants should at least reach a mutual level of understanding – this of course would not prove to be most effective for advancement, but as Amy Tan mentions in “Mother Tongue,” there are many …show more content…
The parents, in most cases, are often hanging on to their traditions, values, and beliefs from their culture and do not assimilate as quickly, if at all in some cases. Since the children are speaking the dominant language, it would be beneficial for the parents to learn English so they can communicate with their children, school administrators, etc., better. As time passes, the communication gap will only grow bigger. Another reason for parents to learn English is that they will get closer to their children and communicate more easily about their traditions and be able to instill their values and beliefs into their children in a language that they can relate to. If the parents are not proficient in English, it will be difficult for the children to have a better understanding of their culture because the parents will struggle to communicate to their children – especially in cases in which the children were either born in the United States, or have spent the majority of their life in the United States. In my case, I communicate fully with my parents because I came to the United