Is the "English only policy" good?

In the United States, only a few states have actually passed “English only” educational laws, including California, Florida and Iowa etc. Many people still call on stopping providing bilingual education programs in the U.S. education system. As we discussed this topic a little in class, although English-only education is not that strict in higher education like colleges. I think this is a important aspect of learning and it has both positive and negative affects and here are some of my views.

Positive sides:
Language is not just a tool of communication, it’s the soul of a nation. Everyone want their nation to be united and cohesive, and the language is a necessary bond to make it easier.  

 Learning English is important for immigrations and foreigners to fit in U.S. society, and the English-only policy will push those people out of their comfort zone, which is staying with their own culture group. For those people, bilingual education affect their ability and willingness to learn English by allowing them to rely on their native languages in class. While it’s true that good English level doesn’t necessarily mean to be adopted but if someone’s English ability is poor, I’m sure he has zero chance to be adopted.  

 “English only” policy may reduce students’ burdens. For now English is the global lingua franca, so it’s enough for student who has no interests on other foreign language. If I’m a native English speaker I would like to think that’s enough for today’s world as long as there’s no specific demand for foreign language is related to my future. Like many people complained about learning a foreign language, in terms of time and effort, is difficult. 

Negative sides:  

“English only” policy may weaken students’ multilingual ability, which becomes more and more important in today’s world. I’m talking about the frustration when you know that you have to learn a new language and you do have an earlier chance but you didn’t grab it. We all know that learning a new language will be more and more difficult as people grow up, so they’d better start as young as possible instead of sinking in frustration in the college or workplace. Actually I believe my English ability should be much better if I started earlier, well, but I’m already here in college and English freaked me out.  

 Especially for the United States, as a immigration country, learning foreign language is not that hard. So when you do have the chance to learn something well others don’t, why not? Regardless of those effort and time you have to put in, they will all come back to you at some point in the future, that’s my aphorism of learning. High-quality foreign language institute is very expensive in China and some Asian countries, but I think it is a lot more accessible here in the U.S.

Thanks for reading and let me know your opinions on the “English only policy” in the United States down below!