Editorial: Literacy Council

There are lots of ways for undocumented workers to respond to potential policy changes that would make it more difficult for them to live and work in the United States. Protests, marches and work strikes have taken place all across the country in recent months. One of the largest marches took place right here in Southwest Florida, drawing more than 75,000 participants.

But a phenomenon being seen at the Literacy Council of Bonita Springs may be the most positive outfall of the immigration uproar. The number of people seeking to learn English is skyrocketing.

Orientation classes used to average about 20 students. A recent class had 37 students. Fifty have signed up to attend an orientation session that begins next week. The upward trend began in the spring when the immigration issue heated up.

When people are unable to communicate, frustration and resentment set in. When ideas can't be shared, barriers go up.

But when non-native speakers reach out to learn the language, it shows a desire to assimilate. A desire to connect.

The Literacy Council is always in need of tutors, but the demand is even greater now. A year ago, the ratio of students to tutors was 3 to 1. It's much higher than that now. This is a perfect time for those who do speak the language to teach those who want to learn. Tutors needn't be bilingual, by the way. They need only to have the desire to help.

Even if every one of the estimated 12 million undocumented workers in the United States suddenly learned to speak English, it wouldn't change the fact this nation has an immigration system that isn't just broken — it's a failure. What it would do, though, is help eliminate the unhealthy "us and them" atmosphere that surrounds the issue. Maybe then everyone could sit down together and come up with some solutions.