1978: Maury Perilli on Multi-Lingual Education

As one who spends hours going through old press articles, I have found countless stories of immigrants coming from Italy, Germany, Hungary, and other foreign countries who are eager to learn the English language and become assimilated into our society. Early 20th century newspapers reveal many stories of night school classes being avidly sought by the newcomers. There was never a suggestion that America adopt Spanish, or Italian, or German "as a second language."

1919: "THERE WAS A TIME..."

IN THE LATTER PART OF THE 19th CENTURY THE EARLY DECADES OF THE 20TH CENTURY, AMERICA EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN IMMIGRANTS, ALL OF WHOM WERE COMING TO AMERICA TO BETTER THEIR LIVES. MOST WERE INTERESTED IN LEARNING THE CULTURE AND VALUES OF THEIR NEW COUNTRY, AND EAGER TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE. THERE WERE NO ATTEMPTS TO "MAKE ITALIAN, GERMAN, HUNGARIAN, GREEK, OR HEBREW THE SECOND LANGUAGE IN AMERICA.

1918:NIGHT SCHOOL

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE; HOW QUAINT!

1938: Jewish Naturalization Classes

How refreshing is this? Can you imagine immigrants coming into America LEGALLY and actually taking the time to learn the English language and our American customs? How old fashioned is that? I wonder if anyone back in 1938 requested Hebrew as a second language, or German, or Italian? Like the millions of immigrants who came to America before them, these newcomers to America are taking the positive steps necessary to become citizens of the greatest country in the world. One must wonder when, and more importantly, why we lost the spirit of folks like these.