--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you do not learn English in this…" description: "\"If you do not learn English in this country, you cannot get anywhere. We are in America. We are not in Mexico, we are not in China, we are not in Saudi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/rafael-cruz-12239_america_if-you-do-not-learn-english-in-this-coun_231519.jpg" --- # If you do not learn English in this country, you cannot… ![“If you do not learn English in this country, you cannot get anywhere. We are in America. We are not in Mexico, we are not in China, we are not in Saudi Arabia - we speak English in this country! And what bilingual education does, is keep them from learning English, so they are doomed to be…” quote by Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/rafael-cruz-12239_america_if-you-do-not-learn-english-in-this-coun_231519.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/rafael-cruz-12239_america_if-you-do-not-learn-english-in-this-coun_231519.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/rafael-cruz-12239_america_if-you-do-not-learn-english-in-this-coun_231519.jpg) > “If you do not learn English in this country, you cannot get anywhere. We are in America. We are not in Mexico, we are not in China, we are not in Saudi Arabia - we speak English in this country! And what bilingual education does, is keep them from learning English, so they are doomed to be second-class citizens.” [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. English proficiency is presented as essential for success in the U.S., implying bilingual education hinders integration. **In simple terms:** English is necessary for success here. Key Takeaway Prioritize English learning. Themes education language immigration identity politics Mood defensive assertive Type political opinion When to use this quote - school curricula - immigrant families - job market - civic participation Key Concepts assimilation cultural hegemony social mobility Questions to Reflect On - How does language affect social inclusion? - What are the benefits of bilingualism? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on English can marginalize multilingual benefits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Arabia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arabia/) [Bilingual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bilingual/) [China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Learning english](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning-english/) [Mexico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mexico/) [Saudis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saudis/) [Second class citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-class-citizens/) ## Related quotes > [We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/we-should-replace-bilingual-education-with-immersion-in-english-so/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [Bilingual-education advocates say it's important to teach a child in his or her family's language. I say you can't use family language in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/bilingual-education-advocates-say-it-s-important-to-teach-a-child-in/) [Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/) > [I grew up bilingual, I grew up speaking Chinese in the home, Mandarin Chinese with my parents, and I learned English because I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/i-grew-up-bilingual-i-grew-up-speaking-chinese-in-the-home-mandarin/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [I'm not exactly an example of how to learn English; I just can't get it into my head. I'm learning hardly anything, truth be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-tevez/i-m-not-exactly-an-example-of-how-to-learn-english-i-just-can-t-get/) [Carlos Tevez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-tevez/) > [Fatherhood is helping your children learn English as a foreign language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/fatherhood-is-helping-your-children-learn-english-as-a-foreign/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [I started to learn English when I was 10-years-old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogo-jota/i-started-to-learn-english-when-i-was-10-years-old/) [Diogo Jota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogo-jota/) > [I refused to learn English for two years when we moved to London, hoping to send my family back home. It was tough, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anya-taylor-joy/i-refused-to-learn-english-for-two-years-when-we-moved-to-london/) [Anya Taylor-Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anya-taylor-joy/) > [I moved to Oklahoma to learn English when I was 16 years old from Colombia for six months; then I moved to New York.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-balvin/i-moved-to-oklahoma-to-learn-english-when-i-was-16-years-old-from/) [J Balvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-balvin/) > [What I said was: We want everybody to learn English because we don't want - I didn't use the word 'Spanish.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/what-i-said-was-we-want-everybody-to-learn-english-because-we-don-t/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [“You can learn English online”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-daniel/you-can-learn-english-online/) Brian Daniel > [To learn English you must begin by thrusting the jaw forward, almost clenching the teeth, and practically immbilizing the lips. In this way the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ortega-y-gasset/to-learn-english-you-must-begin-by-thrusting-the-jaw-forward-almost/) [Jose Ortega y Gasset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ortega-y-gasset/) > [Everything has changed. When I was at school and was told I had better learn English, I said: What for? The English are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-manuel-fangio/everything-has-changed-when-i-was-at-school-and-was-told-i-had-better/) [Juan Manuel Fangio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-manuel-fangio/) > [I moved to New Jersey when I was five, and I lived there for about six years. My dad was allocated to the New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-kim/i-moved-to-new-jersey-when-i-was-five-and-i-lived-there-for-about-six/) [Claudia Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-kim/) > [Always have a book to read, instead of indulging in vain conversation. Strive to learn English…Remember this, that you cannot commit some loved sin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christmas-evans/always-have-a-book-to-read-instead-of-indulging-in-vain-conversation/) [Christmas Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christmas-evans/) > [Why should I learn English? I'm never going to England. Shah, pffff, ur, doy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-titus/why-should-i-learn-english-i-m-never-going-to-england-shah-pffff-ur/) [Christopher Titus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-titus/) ## More by Rafael Cruz > [As a matter of fact, if we could communicate the truth, not only to the Hispanics but to the black population, all blacks should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/as-a-matter-of-fact-if-we-could-communicate-the-truth-not-only-to-the/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [Obamacare is going to destroy the elderly by denying care, by even perhaps denying treatment to people who are in catastrophic circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/obamacare-is-going-to-destroy-the-elderly-by-denying-care-by-even/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [In 1962 and 1963, there were two abominable decisions out of the Supreme Court, and that was taking prayer out of school, and taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/in-1962-and-1963-there-were-two-abominable-decisions-out-of-the/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [I think we don't need to be talking about hyphenated Americans, because we are all Americans, and we all want the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/i-think-we-don-t-need-to-be-talking-about-hyphenated-americans/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [Everybody goes down to a least common denominator, and as a result, productivity goes down to zero. And we've seen that in every communist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/everybody-goes-down-to-a-least-common-denominator-and-as-a-result/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [ I came to the country \[U.S\] without speaking a word of English, without a penny, worked full time, 40 hours a week, went to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/i-came-to-the-country-u-s-without-speaking-a-word-of-english-without/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [I grew up in Cuba under a strong, military, oppressive dictatorship. So as a teenager, I found myself involved in a revolution. I remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/i-grew-up-in-cuba-under-a-strong-military-oppressive-dictatorship-so/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [As God commands us men to teach your wife, to teach your children - to be the spiritual leader of your family - you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/as-god-commands-us-men-to-teach-your-wife-to-teach-your-children-to/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [When you hear all these things about homosexual marriage, this has nothing to do with homosexual rights. The whole objective is the destruction of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/when-you-hear-all-these-things-about-homosexual-marriage-this-has/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [The Democrat is the party that's gonna keep you poor!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/the-democrat-is-the-party-that-s-gonna-keep-you-poor/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [Social justice is a cancer. Social justice means you are ruled by whatever the mob does. What social justice does is destroy individual responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/social-justice-is-a-cancer-social-justice-means-you-are-ruled-by/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [ How many times did we hear \[Barack\] Obama say, 'You didn't build that. You didn't build that - no, you need government.' We even… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/how-many-times-did-we-hear-barack-obama-say-you-didn-t-build-that-you/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [There is a reason why you see such an antagonism to religion. Because communism necessitates the destruction of religion for one reason. Communism needs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/there-is-a-reason-why-you-see-such-an-antagonism-to-religion-because/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [Who was the founder of American education? John Dewey - you know that very well - card-carrying Communist. The American education system, in America…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/who-was-the-founder-of-american-education-john-dewey-you-know-that/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) > [Except for the Bible, the two greatest documents ever written are the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-cruz/except-for-the-bible-the-two-greatest-documents-ever-written-are-the/) [Rafael Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) [Explore all 55 Rafael Cruz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-cruz/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you do not learn English in this country, you cannot get anywhere. We are in America. We are not in Mexico, we are not in China, we are not in Saudi Arabia - we speak English in this country! 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