language requirement

I mean no offense to any particular individual, race, group, or ethnicity. I was just curious how the rest of you feel regarding the language requirement when applying for jobs (i.e. Spanish/English, Chinese/English, etc. is required or must).

Isn't this some sort of discrimination in a way? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I know not all can speak or are comfortable speaking in English, but aren't they suppose to adapt instead of us feeling the need to learn another language. I am bilingual myself, and I honestly feel very uncomfortable speaking in English when I know that I am speaking to someone who share the language as mine -it's a cultural thing. I think the job requirement should be English is a must since this is the majority language of the nation, and Spanish/Chinese/etc. are a plus but NOT a requirement when applying for jobs.

Anyway, just a thought I wanna share and would like to hear opinions from others as well. Thanks!

P.S.
I mean no offense to ANYONE, or try to stir up an issue.
1) There is no official language in the US. Until that happens, there will be no requirement for all people to speak or adapt to a specific language2) The requirement or strong preference for staff to speak a certain language is out of cultural sensitivity to the clientele. It's only a GOOD thing if we can actually deliver healthcare and teaching to our pts in the language they understand.

Thank you klone, I wish we could clone you. You have said it all, maybe we should close the discussion now!!!!!!

Quote from brownbookThank you klone, I wish we could clone you. You have said it all, maybe we should close the discussion now!!!!!!

We have a translator service that helps. You call the service and can put the pt/parent/client whatever on speaker phone. The interpretation is done for you. We have a lot of Spanish speaking people in our area as well as others due to a University. I'm just too old to pick up a second language. I'm lucky to speak a few words of Spanish. A lot of people, including physicians think it's a hassle to use the service, but when I want to get my point across or my teaching I do it.

I'm learning Spanish right now, as I feel I need it. I speak a couple of languages, but nothing useful in my area (other than English). I guess I don't look at is as "whether they should learn the language or not" sort of situation. It's a *fact* that a lot of people in my area are Spanish speakers who don't speak adequate English for whatever reason. Just like it's a *fact* that a lot of my patients are chronic COPDers who smoke. Or are diabetics who don't manage their sugars well. *shrug* I continue to provide care for those people, who don't do some very simple modifications to alleviate or avoid their health problems, their choice. Why should I be angry about the Spanish speakers who, for whatever reason (choice or no) don't speak English?

The predominant language spoken by patient need, determines the predominant language requirement of the staff.This is true worldwide.What we are seeing here with this issue in the U.S., is a struggle of ethnic identity disguised as a communication issue.

Quote from klone1) There is no official language in the US. Until that happens, there will be no requirement for all people to speak or adapt to a specific language.

Deleted, as the previous post was in error

From my experience, with someone who speaks the language who works in the medical field, it also build trust with client. Clients are able to ask questions so they can fully understand what is going on, etc.

See post # 7

Quote from kloneSo you're arguing that English is, in fact, the official language of the US? It is not. There *is* no official language, regardless of whatever language the citizenship exam is in.

To me it seems like facilities do this to limit confusion or deliver the most effective care. It is often so much safer and easier to communicate to someone in their native language. I am on my way to being bilingual. I am a little bit more than an intermediate Spanish student, but not neccessarily fluent yet. I think it is nice extra for a staff member to be bilingual, but I don't feel it should required, right now at least. Some places desire the bilingual trait more than others.Many people feel that since foreigners are in our country they should learn our language. While that would be in their best interest it's not going to happen with all of them. Also some may take longer to come to an efficient understanding of enlgish. I enjoy taking the time to learn a different language myself. MY personal thought is that learning to speak another language is a way of me reachin out to my patient/client. Not that not knowing another language means you don't care, because it doesn't. I think it would be a good Idea for all healthcare professionals to learn a basic intro in one or two foreign languages taht are predominate in their area. Just showing a client you took the time to do that can reassure them if their is a langauge barrier and they are scared and confused.