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Introduction
Many foreigners do not become “Americanized” or assimilate into US
culture. They do not learn our language or history.
Scope
I hear this complaint often. How are they supposed to learn? Which
school should they attend in your neighborhood? If a new immigrant
asked you how to learn American heritage where would you tell them
to go to learn? Would you be able to teach US history or heritage?
How much preparation would you have to do?
There are some aids on some US history for immigrants to study
before their naturalization hearing. Should there be more? What
could we do to help the Americanization process?
Most people want to learn about their new surroundings. They know
they are not in their home countries, and unlike most Americans,
they made a conscious decision to become an American. For most of us
it was much easier. Many of these people are ripe for learning, but,
how? Most linguists will tell you that learning the language without
learning the culture provides inadequate learning. Defense Language
Institute teaches culture during language training.
Proposed Action(s)
Idea
#1 (Cost not an issue.)
Create centers to hold English and heritage classes. Often
churches and civic organizations may hold English classes. Let’s
combine Americanization in that class. In an ideal world this would
be free to immigrants. Ideally, the top students, based on the
results of a written test would receive a $100 bill in honor of the
high score. If possible number two runner up would also win a
prize. This would give the immigrant an enticement to attend.
Drawing students to this class, could increase Americanization, or
assist in immigrants assimilating into US culture
Idea #2 (Real world, holding cost to a minimum.)
Use American Legion, DAV, and VFW Post Homes for holding these
classes. These organizations might act as the sponsor. These
organizations also have retirees who could teach both English and
American Heritage. This would cheaply solve the problem of location
and instructors. These organizations are looking for ways to
participate in community service. These are ways to help America
grow.
Most of these organizations with post homes know (or are) community
leaders in local government, local business and local press. Some
local government leaders would probably also assist as volunteers
and publicizing this program and the post activities. Local
businesses, if approached would volunteer personnel as both
instructors and attendees while also seeing a potential marketing
bonanza of gaining brand loyalty for new consumers. The post
normally has a publicity chairman and connections with the local
news media. The media is always looking for a good human interest
stories.
Reach out to the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America)
organization. This organization is composed or retired teachers,
business leaders and others that could be another resource pool for
use in this process.
Somewhere we/US have people who can create professional course
material. If I win the big lottery I would fully fund this complete
idea. When I fully retire, I would like to pursue this idea, but
before then, I hope others may take this and make it a success.
I will provide web posting and help coordinate some of this with
use of American Legion China Post #1 website. Please contact me at
jrl-idea@chinapost1.org with any portions of our task list. We
can share and push this information out to others to improve and
develop.
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