tion on immigrants but in order for them to retain almost any amount of wealth ability to speak English is essential. The question is then asked if immigrants acquire a new language and become Americanized do have to they lose their culture? From a random sample from an online employment agency, a company felt that employees should have, “...interpersonal and English language skills sufficient to interact effectively with staff, clients and vendors“ (Employersonline). This and many other examples show how important English is in obtaining non-blue collar jobs. In the Los Angeles area a majority of blue-collar workers are Hispanic, while a majority of the higher paying jobs are held by whites. These blue-collar workers can rise out of the lower paying jobs by mastering English, but the color of their skin remains a significant factor in this situation as well. By mastering English, however, the blue-collar workers or immigrants are preparing to participate in American capitalism more thoroughly than they were before. In doing so they may begin to feel that English is more important than their own language, and subsequently, American culture more important than their own. Of course this is not always the case but the English language represents a very enticing possibility of upward mobility. If they feel this sentiment, as many immigrants do, then they will want their children to become fluent in English and be a part of U.S. society. Bilingual education contends directly with this idea because it is an institutionalized American program designed to make non-English speakers into English speaking citizens. Even when immigrants decide not to learn English or aspire to upper class jobs, they see what speaking English and becoming Americanized can do for an individual. These parents want the best for their children so they do not object when their children are placed in bilingual classrooms. Opponents of bilingual e...
