Speaking English Won't Guarantee You a Job in America
In America today it seems more and more bilingual job openings are hogging the classifieds, bulletins, and career websites. If a person can speak both Spanish and English, no matter how qualified they are for the job in which they are applying, a spot is almost certainly guaranteed for them.
Here in Idaho, following almost every ad in the paper for employment are the words "bilingual preferred" or "Spanish-speaking necessary". I'm lucky I have myself a J-O-B as I can't even say J-O-B in Spanish. If I would have known speaking Spanish would be such a key factor in my finding quality employment in America I would have paid more attention to the 2 years I took Espanol in High School.
As it is, I don't even remember how to count to 20 in Spanish.
Oops.
When the ads say "Bilingual preferred" what they mean is "Must speak Spanish to even be considered for this job." I know this because in my periods between employment (I am quite the job hopper, I admit) I have been interviewed at quite a few Establishments who "prefer" Spanish/English speakers who abruptly ended my interviews when I freely admitted I know no Spanish whatsoever.
Nada.
In America today there are more and more people coming into our country, increasing its greatness as a melting pot society, accepting all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. However, in order to be American it would be nice if everyone would speak English so those who speak our language can get decent jobs.
We don't have to be Chinese/English speaking to get a job, Russian/English speaking to get a job, German/English speaking to get a job in America..you get the drift.
Those people learn English and get English-speaking jobs.
But if you speak Spanish? You can enable other Spanish speakers who refuse to learn English by getting a better job than us English-only speakers who are fuming right behind you.
What's Spanish for pissed off?
Uhh...I am muy mad, or whatever. That's bilingual right?
I am all for Spanish in America. I just don't believe one should have to speak a language not primarily spoken in America to get a job in America. I know, I know, Spanish is quickly climbing the popularity ladder as the language of choice here, second only to ENGLISH, but that's only because those of us who only speak English HAVE to learn Spanish to get those better jobs.
Comprende? Is that right?
Anyhow, looks like I'm going to have to break out my Spanish/English dictionary in order to get a decent job around here.
Published by Abby Willow
See my blog: thehomemadeplace.blogspot.com :) I LOVE to make life easier either via laughter, new ways of doing things, or sharing knowledge I just stumble into (and trust me, it's STUMBLING, y'all...) View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentIt is very hard to find a job in California if you do not speak Spanish. Spanish only....no OTHER language. Spanish REQUIRED.I am a born and raised US cit. and I do not speak Spanish or any other language.Can I go to Mexico and get a job by being able to speak English????
I was raised bilingual in the UK, but I was not taught Spanish. We were taught French as a second language in school, as we were so much closer to France than we were Spain. I've actually had a lot of people ask me why I don't speak Spanish (I am often mistaken for Hispanic). I have learned a few pleasantries and phrases since moving to America, but I do not know enough to call myself fluent.
Sophie
OMG! Just found the perfert job request in The Las Vegas Journal. I was prepared to apply when "low and behold" I see"MUST BE BILINGUAL IN SPANISH" written at the bottom of the ad. This does it. I will send letters to congressmen regarding the alienation and elementation of American jobs in our own country due to employers specifically seeking non spanish speaking applicatns. Damn,,,, What good is my B.A. Degree !!!!
I am born, bred and raised in America and speak English. I am too pi$$ed. While employed I was forced to pay taxes for illegal immigrants to have priveliges that I made too much money to receive. Now I find that I take a backseat to employment because I do not speak "THEIR LANGUAGE"??? bull^%*t,, there is something really wrong with this country. Send their a$$es back where they came from so we can take our country back....
Also, not allowing major companies to outsource jobs to other countries! Another way for American Business Owners to show support for the American people is to stop with the Bilingual Only job offers! Unless your company only/primarily deals with a Spanish speaking country then Americans should not have to speak Spanish to get a job! Another untrue fact that I perceive as offensive to the American people is the saying that the reason jobs are given to illegals is because Americans are too lazy to accept these jobs - that is just offensive! Americans want to get paid fairly, yes, that to me is not lazy but ascerting your right as a human being to get a fair wage for the job you are doing. Granted illegals will perform these jobs for less but does that mean the American business owner should betray his own country by hiring these individuals in favor of giving a fair wage to an American worker?
What are we going to do? We Americans have withstood so much in the face of adversity but now seem to be getting defeated. Simply because we as a nation are feeling defeated and letting the powers that be keep us prisoners of that feeling. We need to fight, politically and personally. God (or however you perceive God-Protector, Overseer)!!!! Gave us the right as human beings to live decently and with honor and HAPPILY. We Americans have been sluggish and counted on those with agenda's of their own to protect our rights and without our full knowledge (they, I am certain feel we are too stupid to see THEIR bigger picture). We as a united front of the American way of life need to grow up now! We have to speak our minds! Life without jobs and without any type security will be like living in a third world country. We cannot let that happen, we Americans have to fight for the REAL assistance we need from those WE put into power positions. If we do not get that assistance, we will h
I am of mexican descent. My parents both learned english as a second language because they knew it was important. If we stop catering to people who want to live here but don't bother to learn english it will encourage them to do what the right thing and stop being ignorant.
speaking English is very necessary for doing a job in private sector or also in government sector.Who have all the skills have guaranteed job
http://find.com/jobs
jobs
This story made me sad. It also made me think less of the author! Xenophobia is never good, especially when mixed with healthy doses of poorly disguised anti-Hispanic sentiment.
I'm a college student in Southern California trying to pay my way though college and I am having so much trouble finding a second job. I can read and speak English but heavens forbid that I cannot speak Spanish! I'm Latina but I was raised speaking English. One would believe that in an English speaking country knowing English would help, but sadly that is not the case. Some jobs have told me they would rather hire someone that speaks ONLY Spanish. What the heck?! Just because someone also speaks Spanish doesn't always make them a better worker. Damn it I'm mad. GRRRR!