“If you speak to a man in a language he understands, it goes to his head. If you speak to him in his own language, it touches his heart. This quote was once uttered by the late great South African leader Nelson Mandela. He learned the Afrikaans language while in prison in order to communicate with the white Afrikaner guards. Mandela was imprisoned for speaking out against the apartheid government which was committing human rights violations against black South Africans. The fellow prisoners were deeply offended when they heard Mandela speaking the language of their oppressors, but in Mandela's mind the Afrikaners are still Africans, he believes they are still inhabitants of his country and he really wanted understand them. Learning the language played an important role in Mandela's march to freedom. It is obvious in his case that learning other languages ​​can be very beneficial and very enriching. Today, knowing how to speak, read and write in languages ​​other than one's native tongue gives that person an advantage over those who do not. The United States of America has always been called the “melting pot of the world.” known for welcoming people from different countries, customs, religions and beliefs. Immigrants come to the United States to find new opportunities and a better way of life. Different races mean diversity of cultures and languages. For non-English speakers, this poses a big problem. Not being able to communicate in English prevents immigrants from finding better-paying jobs, which is one of the reasons they moved to the United States in the first place. Additionally, children who have not yet mastered English fall behind in school. This is where the bilingual and English immersion program... middle of paper ... I thought bilingual education was the best... until the kids proved to me that I had wrong. " Washington Post September 3, 2000. Opposition Views in Context. Web, April 6, 2014. Bale, Jeff. “Bilingual education is the best approach for English language learners.” The Latino Community Ed. “The Struggle for Bilingual Education,” International Socialist Review (January-February 2010). Opposing Viewpoints in Context, April 6, 2014. “Bilingual Education is a Failure.” Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2000. Opposing Views from "Is Bilingual Education Failing to Help America's Schoolchildren Yes: Latino Activists' Agenda Shuts Door to Many Hispanic Children" Insight (. June 3, 1996). Opposing viewpoints in context. Web. April 8. 2014.