| Las Vegas is truly a melting pot city, with people | | | | and maybe they haven’t yet for the same |
| living, working and visiting here from all corners of | | | | reasons/excuses. |
| the globe. While walking on the strip or watching | | | | The benefits of learning more than one language - |
| the Bellagio fountains, it is common to hear | | | | especially in business - are numerous. Whether |
| Spanish, English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, | | | | between clients, staff, supervisors, or vendors; |
| German, and any number of other languages | | | | miscommunication can lead to poor customer |
| within any given 5-minute period. This always | | | | service, unhappy employees, and lost profits. This |
| vibrant mix of people and languages keeps Las | | | | fact helps point out that in today's |
| Vegas an interesting, dynamic place. | | | | business world; language training is a necessity, |
| Outside of the strip, the dramatic increase in | | | | not a luxury. |
| Spanish speakers especially has led to language | | | | One of the realities of why so many Spanish |
| barriers in all facets of life and business. According | | | | speakers have remained in limbo, not yet fully |
| to the Las Vegas Review-Journal; nearly 90% of | | | | committed to improving their English skills, may be |
| Nevadans favor making English the national | | | | the fact that we still do not have a national policy |
| language. Now, we may debate the merits of that | | | | regarding the legal status of the minimum 12 |
| idea, but the reality is that just by decree | | | | million illegal immigrants here in the U.S. Once |
| everyone is not going to instantly speak better | | | | Congress and the President agree on a rational |
| English. It will take a concerted effort. | | | | policy to document these people and bring them |
| Every one of the Spanish speakers I have talked | | | | into the legal world, changes may begin to occur |
| to very much wants to speak better English and | | | | more rapidly. One requirement for legality certain |
| is willing to work at it. Whatever their reasons for | | | | to be included is to demonstrate proficiency in the |
| wanting to learn English - work, family, friends, | | | | English language. Suddenly, there will be a |
| travel, legal status – but the fact is, many of | | | | right-now incentive to learn English. |
| the options for learning do not quite meet their | | | | Obviously nothing will be resolved in this area until |
| wants and/or needs. The classes are too long, | | | | after we elect a new President later this year. |
| too expensive, too far, too difficult, they | | | | Both candidates have expressed interest in helping |
| don’t feel they have enough time, etc… Of | | | | resolve our untenable illegal immigrant issues. A |
| course many English speakers here want to learn | | | | marked increase in the need for English training |
| Spanish as well, for many of the same reasons - | | | | should be a by-product of any proposed solutions. |