April 8, 2009

Here in Boston, I read in the paper that students not fluent in English have floundered ever since a law was passed six years ago requiring school districts to teach all subjects in English, rather than their native tongue.

The high school dropout rate nearly doubled for students still learning to speak and write in English.

In a liberal state like Massachusetts, we know what comes next. It will be pressure to stop teaching English and to teach these students in their first language. That would be a prescription for failure for the students, but success for those who wish to further divide us. English is the language of the United States. If you want to come to America, you should be prepared to learn it, preferably before you get here. It will make everything easier for you, including your studies.

When are we going to stop apologizing for who we are and accommodating people who want to be hyphenated Americans? If you come here you should do so legally and you should be prepared to become fully American, without the hyphen and with English as your language.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.