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This Speakout has not been edited

By Beverly Coney Heirich, Aurora

Arnold Schwarzenegger thinks it’s important to speak English? So does a Pulitzer Prize-winner and nationally syndicated columnist for The Washington Post for four decades until he retired two years ago.

For more than 25 years William Raspberry was considered the most respected African-American voice in the public arena. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Black Journalists and received the National Press Club’s highest honor, the Fourth Estate Award.

When such a man speaks strong words about the English language, I think we should probably listen. Here is what he told Dillard University honor students in April of 1994: “Good English, well-spoken and well-written, will open more doors for you than a college degree … bad English, poorly spoken and poorly written, will slam doors you don’t even know exist.”

In the same speech, he said, “Two of the greatest lessons every student should learn are the rules and the music of language. Grammar alone isn’t enough. No matter how much they teach you about the mechanics of music, you have to hear the music in order to make the music. In just the same way, you have to hear good English in order to produce good English.”

As an adjunct college instructor for 20 years, I have lately seen a shocking surge of unprepared students slipping into required English composition classes. Some cannot be said to speak English well enough to be easily understood. Others born and raised in America cannot write or recognize a sentence. Many say they have never read a book.

All are usually likable and eager but unable to participate at a collegiate level. Their presence drains the entire class as time is spent teaching what amounts to essential third or fourth grade English skills. Each semester the problem worsens. No matter which career path they choose, inability to read and write basic English will be a lifelong obstacle.

But happily, this is a problem with a solution. Community colleges offer outstanding and inexpensive courses in basic English and in English as a Second Language (ESL). I urge students to examine whether they need one or both of these courses. And I encourage their college advisors to be vigilant in steering borderline students to consider them.

Renowned business guru Peter Drucker used to say, “Our most important tools are words and the best preparation for any career is a college course in creative writing.” I agree.

But first, as Bill Raspberry said, must come basic English, both the rules and the music.

READER COMMENTS

I learned to speak and write English at Beverly's feet. I agree that, “Good English, well-spoken and well-written, will open more doors for you than a college degree … bad English, poorly spoken and poorly written, will slam doors you don’t even know exist.”

I remember Beverly saying on more than one occasion, "Move over Mother Goose! Baby wants Shakespeare." She instructed us in correct grammar, but more importantly, she instilled in many of her students a love of language.

I hear her still, whispering, "I grow old, I grow old, I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled...."

How thankful I am that Beverly cares enough to share the thrill of the spoken and written word with others.

I learned to speak and write English at Beverly's feet. I agree that, “Good English, well-spoken and well-written, will open more doors for you than a college degree … bad English, poorly spoken and poorly written, will slam doors you don’t even know exist.”

I remember Beverly saying on more than one occasion, "Move over Mother Goose! Baby wants Shakespeare." She instructed us in correct grammar, but more importantly, she instilled in many of her students a love of language.

I hear her still, whispering, "I grow old, I grow old, I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled...."

How thankful I am that Beverly cares enough to share the thrill of the spoken and written word with others.

I learned to speak and write English at Beverly's feet. I agree that, “Good English, well-spoken and well-written, will open more doors for you than a college degree … bad English, poorly spoken and poorly written, will slam doors you don’t even know exist.”

I remember Beverly saying on more than one occasion, "Move over Mother Goose! Baby wants Shakespeare." She instructed us in correct grammar, but more importantly, she instilled in many of her students a love of language.

I hear her still, whispering, "I grow old, I grow old, I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled...."

How thankful I am that Beverly cares enough to share the thrill of the spoken and written word with others.

A few observations:
I taught ESL to foreigners in the 1970's-1980's in So Cal.
I now repent of it, for, in doing so, I ENABLED non-whites, non-Europeans, and non-Christians to take away jobs, ideas, and civilization from WHITE AMERICANS! Lord, forgive me for being a race traitor, a traitor to Christendom, and a traitor to America's white, English heritage- I didn't know! Moreover, as Joe Guzzardi at VDare (www.vdare.com) has noted, (after thirty years of doing this as a JOB!) it does NO GOOD with hispanics, who don't WANT to assimilate anyway!

Mestizos and Muslims- IF they learn English, only do so, to then speak their 'code [i.e., native] language' for the 'real communication.' Like selling drugs, planning islamic jihad against Americans, and establishing cells for their MS-13 gangs.

You who are white, you who are Christian, you who are the REAL Americans, understand this- EVERY 'pearl' given to non-white, non-Christian, non-European 'third world' individuals, is the modern-day equivalent of 'throwing those pearls before swine.' Gos is judging us for our racial, cultural, and religious apostasy! Repent, and close the borders, and rescind EVERY PIECE OF IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION since 1965- even if that means sending the "Governator" back to Austria. NO retreat- never forgive, never forget. They don't follow Christ's dictum of 'turing the other cheek', therefore, neither should you to them! Pro patria, pro familia, pro "Volk"!

The importance of learning English?
You're in "America"!!! Some people never learn english or never have the desire to become a citizen , and they're already 60-70-80 yrs.old.

It's not that important to the state legislature, since they wouldn't approve the bill that required proficiency in English as a high school graduation requirement.

I have always been a very able speaker and writer and so far it hasn't amounted to a hill of beans. Without a college degree it is tough to make a decent living in this economy. A well spoken person asking if "one wants fries with that" may be an anachronism but they do exist.

Beverly: I agree wholeheartedly. I am currently preparing to end my 4 year stint in Bursa Turkey, where the students were MORE than eager to learn English. It is, whether anyone likes it or not, the world's most dominant language. As I prepare to return to the States, I have been giving thought to teaching English to native speakers as they make more mistakes than I care to mention.

My hope is that I can secure a job teaching native speakers the correct way to speak. I'll be going to N.C. when I return, so if you know any universities or colleges looking for an experienced and well-educated ESL teacher, forward thier information my way. I'd be most appreciative.

eslfemale@yahoo.com

I would agree with the essence of Beverly's writing. Either talk intelligently or pay the price!

Unfortunately, she'll be quietly dismissed or outwardly accussed of being racist by the Ward Churchill Diversity Department at her college. Afterall, it's not FAIR for those who learn and adhere to RULES to advance while the ignorants cry about their RIGHTS to the same.

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