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In the non-English speaking nations, including France, which is the originating country of the native Quebecois, the necessity of gaining literary in the Anglo-Saxon language is so palpable that people has become to be crazy about it. Meanwhile, in the English-speaking countries, the ubiquity of highly developed proficiency in the language seems to make immigrants numb about or weary of the urgency of honing their own tongues, for the most part. And that has been my impression.
Here is an article from The NYT in January 2005: Proficiency in English Decreases Over a Decade. And here follows some well put excerpt:
For generations of immigrants to New York, learning English has been the passport to a better life, whether it turned a busboy into a waiter, bridged the distance between an ethnic enclave and the Ivy League, or was just used to persuade the landlord to turn on the heat.
"English literacy supports self-sufficiency, supports the ability to get a raise, to get a promotion, and it fosters children's academic success," said Jeanne B. Mullgrav, commissioner of the city Department of Youth and Community Development, citing research that underscores the importance of parental involvement. "To the extent that parents improve their skills, children succeed."
