Why Don't They Just Learn English?

Language Ministries: Georges Boujakly
Saturday, July 1, 2006

Has anyone expressed his or her frustration to you with the reality that some immigrants never learn to speak English sufficiently or integrate fully into American culture?

When I emigrated out of Lebanon to North America, I was fortunate in that I lived with a North American family. Therefore, I went from zero English to managing fairly well in a brief time. The secret of this success was total immersion. I had to learn to speak English to survive.

This is not the case today with large numbers of immigrants coming into the United States. As new immigrants settle here, their environment remains identical to their original language and culture. Many find employment in companies that hire large numbers of immigrants. The need to learn to speak English is not urgent.

So why don't they just learn English? Because they don't have to.

  1. Since most immigrants are here to work and work is possible without mastering English, the motivation to learn English is minimal.
  2. Some will never learn another language. Second language learning is ranked among one of the hardest activities to do. It demands time, diligence, discipline and ability. Not everyone has these! There aren't enough organizations offering English learning.

Perhaps as the people of God we can contribute to the solution for this dilemma. I propose the following:

We need a host of churches teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Southern Baptist church members are blessed by God to be living in a country which is host to the world. Have you noticed the number of ethnic shops that have opened in the last five years between Hillside and Rock on 21st street?

Why don't they just learn English? Perhaps they await an invitation by a God-loving people eager to share the blessing.

For more help with preparing to start an ESL ministry or tutoring children and youth in your church, contact Georges Boujakly at (800) 984-9092 or e-mail: gboujakly@kncsb.org. Or contact Joyce Drydale who is the literacy missions director for HOKSBA at (316) 529-2028.