Vato wrote on Jan 16, 2007 12:34 PM:Que???

Roberto wrote on Jan 16, 2007 1:40 PM:Just amazing that students attending a High School in the United States can't speak English. So how do they maintain their grades in their other courses to be able to play sports? They do need to be segregated...English speakers here and Spanish speakers in Mexico.

We speak ENGLISH wrote on Jan 16, 2007 2:09 PM:in America. Learn it or leave.

Barbara wrote on Jan 16, 2007 4:27 PM:HELLO~~this is California, United States of America and it speaks very poorly of our schools English Departments if these boys who have been to 10,11 or 12 years of school cannot understand enough English to be coached in OUR language. These two men are doing these boys a great disservice. Send them all south of the border and let them play and coach FUTBOL!!!!

What a joke! wrote on Jan 16, 2007 5:16 PM:I've got an idea for those students that speak English as a "second" language: to heck with playing school sports - use this extra time to sharpen your language skills. But wait a minute, I just realized that these same students have no need to speak better English since our schools and government systems will do whatever is needed to accomodate them in their native language! I'd bet that the soccer coaches noted above could have requested assistant's be added to the athletic department payroll's to speak to these "shy and reserved" students if they would have just made the effort. After all, we've got to do everything we can to maintain "diversity" in our schools!

Steve wrote on Jan 16, 2007 9:16 PM:One country= one language= ENGLISH!!!!!!!!

A spanish teacher wrote on Jan 16, 2007 10:52 PM:From a fellow educator, It is very clear to me that there is high level of ignorance among you so called blog writers. How dare you write such comments? Plain and simple you really show your prejudice, your true colors and your close mindedness to accept diversity. I think you are afraid of becoming the minority. This article was not about speaking Spanish as an alternative; Spanish is actually mentioned as an asset. Many of our students are fully bilingual and that is a good thing, it gives them the opportunity to succeed in highly competitive world. In Europe people usually speak more than 3 languages and that helps them become more successful and marketable. It sounds to me you ignorant people are nothing but a bunch of haters and sour grapes; you really need to open your mind and heart to other cultures and diversity. Best of luck Se habla Español!!! Learn some Spanish JS

SM Grandma wrote on Jan 16, 2007 11:23 PM:Can't believe we are thinking this is a plus for California High School education!! If a student gets to high school without understanding English (the language of our State and Country), maybe the Coach could help a specific player in his/her native language. But as a retired educator, our job is to get the students FLUENT in English if they are to be successful in life in the US! These soccer coaches are NOT helping obtain this goal by coaching in Spanish. If the kids want to play, they certainly will learn what the coach is saying in English. I have observed the OG coach and was shocked at the excessive use of a language other than English. I am disappointed that the school districts allow coaches to continue practice!

Mike wrote on Jan 17, 2007 8:10 PM:To spanish teacher, I don't think it's so much ignorance from the bloggers as you point out, as it is frustration. Why can't hispanics learn our language, value our culture and put America first? Other immigrants assimilated, why can't certain hispanics? You talk about diversity. America is a diverse nation, but there are common threads that hold it together. And the English language is one of them. Nice try on your European example of them speaking sometimes 3 languages. They might learn those to compete in the marketplace, but we are being invaded by hordes of people unwilling to learn our native tongue. Why is it American values and practices have to take a back seat? Besides, English is the universal language.

David wrote on Jan 18, 2007 6:17 AM:To Spanish teacher...Mike stated it in a way that you as an educated person should understand. Language is a key component in the binding of a culture. This is the United States and that language is English. Being bilingual is nice and bully for those in Europe but English is the language of the United States. Is speaking Spanish around here really being bilingual or is it a product of families like those mentioned here where the parents do not speak English? Do you put the same emphasis on being bilingual to these people who are in the United States and do not speak English? Do you put the same emphasis on these people to assimilate to the culture of the United States as you do for the citizens of our country to "open our hearts to other cultures and diversity." Well Spanish teacher this is the United States and here we we speak English. Better learn some.

Figure it out wrote on Jan 18, 2007 7:49 AM:As a coach, Domingo is doing an injustice to his athletes. he should set an example and show his team that English is the language of America. These athletes get enough spanish at home from their parent who don't know the English language. As a teacher Domingo should know that for his student-athlets to get ahead in America they will need to learn English. Once they are out of the California school system the world will noo longer let them slide by not understanding the English Language. Domingo, figure it out and be a role model not a model of failure.

Dana wrote on Jan 18, 2007 9:25 AM:Did you all miss this part of the article - "Riccitelli has a diverse team, so he conducts all practices in English -- the language that everyone speaks to some degree. But if he has to get technical with an athlete without a firm grasp of the language, Riccitelli will switch to Spanish to ensure that nothing is lost in translation." For those who are old enough or paid attention during their history classes - the assimilation of our past immigrants wasn't such smooth sailing either -the Irish, the Italians, the Koreans, the Japanese and on and on. I know for certainty that Mr. Riccitelli is a dedicated coach and Spanish teacher at Carlsbad High School. He is a sensitive and caring teacher, concerned about the welfare of and learning opportunities for ALL of his students. Most of these students have not been in our school system for 10, 11 or 12 years and they are working to assimilate and to learn English well enough to exist in our society. They are learning to coexist with other students and adults who have had the advantage of speaking English their entire lives. These are students, for goodness sakes! Mr Riccitelli and the other coaches in this article might be the only teachers who actually have the time to reach out and let the soccer players understand that our community is not comprised entirely of people with hatred towards those who don't speak English as their primary language. They are making a difference in a positive way! Thanks, Mr. Riccitelli, we appreciate you!

Danny B wrote on Jan 18, 2007 10:05 AM:I love my mexican friends. They helped me pass my spanish class which i needed for college. I don't understand why you people make such a big deal on this issue.

Figure it out wrote on Jan 18, 2007 10:10 AM:These students don't need to be treated with sensitivity, that is the problem with California, you are afraid to hurt someones feelings instead of doing what is right. The truth is that after high school the work force does not care, you better speak English if you want to get ahead. Oh Yeah, Also, I am positive that when the Irish,Italians and Koreans came over they did not have a coach or a teacher coddling them in their native tongue, they were forced to ASSIMILATE into the American way in order to make it and be successful.

A soccer Coach wrote on Jan 18, 2007 10:13 AM:I have worked with coach Domingo for a couple years. 95% of the time he speaks spanish at practice and games. Why are you taking so many attacks on him. Are you perhaps Jealous? He teaches AP Spanish and also has taught English for ELD students. He is a great example on cultural diversity in California. He values both languages equally and all cultures. ST

To figure it out wrote on Jan 18, 2007 10:17 AM:Hey dude! You need to learn how to spell!! In English!! Ha Ha - What a joke!

Jessica wrote on Jan 18, 2007 11:12 AM:First of all, I would like to say that I am appalled at the lack of respect some people have for others. Whether you like it or not, the U.S. is a very diverse country and has been for many many years. Why is everybody hating on the coaches and players of these soccer teams? For the most part, I know that Coach Domingo conducts practices in English, but even if he does speak spanish, what's the big deal? Does it really distract you in your life and in what you do? It really doesn't make a difference what language they speak on the field, whether it's English or Spanish, the game is being played and the players are having fun. If they want to speak English, let them speak English, if they want to speak Spanish, let them speak Spanish, just let them be. I applaud Mr. Riccitelli and Mr. Domingo on their coaching methods! -JC

Mike S. wrote on Jan 18, 2007 11:39 AM:I don't care which language Domingo coaches in. He could coach in Chinese, Japanese or Gaelic. So long as he is winning with his players why does it matter? If he is teaching them to be productive young men in society, why does it matter if he uses Spanish during practice? His job as a soccer coach is to win with these kids and teach them sportsmanship values. It is the English teachers' job to teach these young men English. Not Domingo's. You wouldn't want him teaching them English anyways, believe me.

Roberto wrote on Jan 18, 2007 1:25 PM:Well Jessica because this is the United States and this a team sponsored by a public school. Believe it or the language in our public school system is English. It makes a very big deal and does detract when my children are being held back because the teachers have to teach once in English and then again in Spanish. And you should care Mike S. This is bigger than winning soccer games. This about the one more thing being pushed on to the English speaking students by the intrusive ESL students in their own country. To: To figure it out. You may think this is a joke. I feel sorry for you.

student wrote on Jan 18, 2007 1:35 PM:I am a student as well as an English-Spanish bilingual athlete. On my vacations I typically visit countries where the primary language is Spanish. Once I even played volleyball with a few Spanish-speaking athletes. The sport is the same in every country but the terms are much different. I had to learn the terms in Spanish in order to play the game properly but I was still unaware of some terms and positions names. It was very difficult to have to start over with the game I loved. I would have been so greatful if someone had been able to help assimilate me into the game. It is a wonderful idea to be able to further communicate the goal to the athletes in the language they are most comfortable with.

marlem wrote on Jan 18, 2007 4:35 PM:NO ENTIENDO WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY THAT WE LATINOS ARENT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE IN THIS COUNTRY CAUSE IF IT IS PUES NIMODO MR. DOMINGO IS A VERRY NICE TEACHER AND I DONT THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE HE SPEAKS SPANISH SOMETIMES TO HIS SOCCER PLAYERS THAT DOESNT MEAN HE TALKS IT 90 PERCENT OF THE TIME AND AMYWAYS COME ON WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES Y YO NO SE PERO YO NO PIENSO QUE RICCITELLI MEANT THAT ITS NOT ALLOWED FOR COACHES TO SPEAK SPANISH TO THEIR HISPANIC PLAYERS OK Y SI NO SABEN LEER THEN NO SE PONGAN OK BECAUSE DOMINGO ES UN BUEN MAESTRO DE EPANOL AP AND ALSO A GREAT SOCCER COACH:)

Roberto wrote on Jan 18, 2007 4:46 PM:student: If we were talking about private sports groups or sand lot games then I would absolutely agree with you. In this case we are talking about the public school system. The language for the public school system in the United States is English and nothing else.

Henry L. wrote on Jan 18, 2007 7:38 PM:Wow...i cant belive the type of things they write on here.Mr.Domingo is my AP Spanish teacher and wants whats best not just for the soccer players but his student to. i thought racism was long gone but according to what im reading i GUESS NOT!!.....but is all good ORA DOMINGO KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!!

Cindy wrote on Jan 18, 2007 7:43 PM:As an English professor at Merced College, and of full Mexican descent, I am appalled to read such comments as "Roberto" stated in his "blog": "They do need to be segregated...English speakers here and Spanish speakers in Mexico". As I recall...did not Martin Luther King day just pass...and have we forgotten what he fought against..SEGREGATION! As one would have to say about Roberto's response...we all were immigrants at one time or another...the name Roberto itself sounds rather...hum...what's the word, ETHNIC to me. Unless Roberto is of Aztec decent...his family too had to cross not only a river...but an ocean...so wait...Roberto states "English speakers here", but why? This is not a Country that derived from the English language, it was FORCED into the English language...do your homework Roberto, before you write. As for "We speak ENGLISH"..."it" states..."in America"...America is a Continent, not a Country...America includes Canada, United States (of America...not the America), Mexico, Argentina and many other Countries, which are also a part of America...maybe Geography isn't your specialty Ms/Mr.We speak English? As for "Barbara"...what is "OUR" language...not sure if English is yours since I found several faux pas in your writing. Ya'll Yankee-Doodles should really truly try to learn your own language before you force onto others. You seriously losing sleep because kids are plaking "futbol" in Spanish? As for "what a joke"...about the government system helping "us" in whatever we need to accommodate "us" with "our" language...I don't reckon ever getting a handout from the government as an undergraduate student, or graduate student...the kids that did get assistance from the government, from my experience, were yes...Anglo-Saxons and Anglo-Saxons are also the ones who are mostly on welfare. So about the government handouts, or "accommodations", I do think that is factually incorrect, better yet, I know that's factually incorrect. So maybe you're forcing us to learn English, how about I teach you how to work...tired of supporting all you racist Anglos, but, that is neither here nor there. Furthermore, as I continued to read the rest of the blogs, I was utterly pissed off on how many ignorant people are still around. No one had anything serious to say, let alone worth getting mad about, but the usual "I hate Mexican" rubbish/cliches. I can go on and on with my "ghetto-Mexican-come-backs", but I'll spare these fellow-Americans embarrassment since they too should learn their own language. They too should sit down and draw they're family tree and see what injustice they are doing to their immigrant family members...because, surprisingly, they too are immigrants...and the funny thing is all the foregoing people who state they "hate" Mexicans need to realize not everyone who speaks Spanish is Mexican...not every Spanish speaking high school kid who wants to play their sport is "stupid" or "pathetic", it is their right and all these so-called-Americans should really look at their constitution...we all die and bleed the same. So next time you buy strawberries try to consider this..."Can I wake up at 3 a.m. and pick my own strawberries for $3.75 an hour"...or better yet, why not just be quiet and keep your corn-fed-okie comments to yourself...or at least have some credibilty behind it...after all, aren't you an American?

What? wrote on Jan 18, 2007 9:38 PM:are you serios? most of you don't know what you're talking about. i'm a mexican-american born in california that plays soccer in this area and most of you don't know what you are writing. i speak fluent spanish and english and i get offended when people tell us to go back to mexico because you don't know how it feels to be segregated. maybe you can remeber where you came from and how we came to be this country.....DIFFERENT CULTURES COMING TOGETHER for freedom and the pursuit of happiness. stay up todos los hispanohablantes y nomas continuen con la vida que solamente dios nos va quitar. and for you others who think we should go back to mexico.....keep quiet on topics you obviously don't know much about

????? wrote on Jan 18, 2007 9:41 PM:STOP RACISM

WOW she gets paid wrote on Jan 19, 2007 7:40 AM:I can't Beleive that Cindy is paid to teach at the college level. she is not up to speed with the blog. let me refresh her, it not the fact that these "mexicans" are learning English, they don't have to learn English. As a non-English speaker in a California high school you are able to graduate with out ever learning any English, that is wrong, these students are not assimilating into the culture of our country, the United States of America. I have no problem with mexicans, Koreans, or any other immigrant who enters this country leagally and learns how to speak the language and becomes part of the American way. The problem lies with those who refuse to accept the culture of this country that they invade, refuse to learn English, and expect us, the english speaking, american citizens to adapt our culture to them. That is what is happening in our schools, they are are adapting the system to the Spanish speaking kids instead of the students learning the language and having to adapt to the American public school system. So Cindy keep your "ghetto-Mexican-come-backs" to yourself and continue to pamper these people who expect the world to adapt for them. Feel free to make personal attacks on me and call me all of your racist terms for white people, the joke is on you, I am not even white, but my family and my ancestor di come to this country and adapted to the culture and learned to be Americans, something you should teach your classes. Also please correct any typos you see, thanks.

WOW wrote on Jan 19, 2007 8:01 AM:I can't believe that Cindy is paid to teach at the college level. She is not up to speed with the blog. Let me refresh her, it not the fact that these "Mexicans" are learning English, they don't have to learn English. As a non-English speaker in a California high school you are able to graduate with out ever learning any English, that is wrong, these students are not assimilating into the culture of our country, the United States of America. I have no problem with Mexicans, Koreans, or any other immigrant who enters this country legally and learns how to speak the language and becomes part of the American way. The problem lies with those who refuse to accept the culture of this country that they invade refuse to learn English, and expect us, the English speaking, American citizens to adapt our culture to them. That is what is happening in our schools, they are adapting the system to the Spanish speaking kids instead of the students learning the language and having to adapt to the American public school system. So Cindy keep your "ghetto-Mexican-come-backs" to yourself and continue to pamper these people who expect the world to adapt for them. Feel free to make personal attacks on me and call me all of your racist terms for white people, the joke is on you, I am not even white, but my family and my ancestor did come to this country and adapted to the culture and learned to be Americans, something you should teach your classes. Also please correct any typos you see, thanks.

To What wrote on Jan 19, 2007 10:24 AM:"keep quiet on topics you obviously don't know much about" go advice for you to follow.

gringo wrote on Jan 19, 2007 12:20 PM:Actually, all comments are a waiste of time because soccer, or futbol as the Latins like to say, is a stupid sport. No one cares about high school soccer so coach it in whatever language you Mestizo clowns want to coach it in. In America we play football,or futbol, even if David Beckham is coming to America.

Mexican Hector wrote on Jan 19, 2007 2:20 PM:Hey Gringo, I bet that you were one of those no talent kids from high school that tried out for soccer, even better any spot and failed to make the team!!! If it's such a stupid sport whys it on the newspaper or known all over the world? Gringo, did you ever make the newspaper or even the high school bulletin?

soccer blows wrote on Jan 19, 2007 2:32 PM:Gringo, I agree that soccer is not fun to watch at all. I can get more enjoyment from watching ants run around chasing a cheeseball

Roberto wrote on Jan 19, 2007 3:45 PM:Dear Ms. Cindy, English professor at Merced College and of full Mexican decent which explains everything. I too am appalled to read your comments. Martin Luther King Day did just pass and I’m sorry it just doesn’t matter what he fought against. He, Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton and all the others from that era were only interested in one thing, black people. Their only concern for anyone else was to the extent that the black people got what they wanted. Nothing else and no one else mattered. Racism is definitely alive and it will always be. The antics of May 1st and groups like La Raza, MeCha, the KKK, and the NAACP will always ensure that it is. I can’t believe that you as an educated professor do not understand that. Yes we are all decedents of immigrants. We all have descendents who crossed oceans, a river, a mountain range, a border or even a land bridge. Even you as a highly educated teacher of English should know that science seems to think that humanity got its start on the African continent. So I guess that makes everyone an immigrant including the “Native” Americans and your beloved Aztecs. But you know what…that was then and this is now. Yes the Europeans immigrated here three or four hundred years ago. They acquired land through the years from the previous immigrants through barter, through agreements, and through force and those same immigrants also the ones who turned this land into the present day United States. Those same immigrants fought off invasion, suffered through hardship, developed a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. In that day that meant white, male, land owners. But those same immigrants and their decedents are the ones who have adapted and adopted the laws that built this nation to include all others besides white, male, land owners. In short they built the culture of the United States. It wasn’t the Mexicans, not the Canadians, not any other country. So yes Ms. Cindy this country was derived on the English language. Even you as a highly educated teacher of English should understand that one of the primary instruments of a culture is the language. The United States was built on the English language. Central America, including Mexico, may use Spanish as the language of their culture and that is fine, who cares. But it is not the language of the culture of the United States. The United States is a diverse nation primarily because of the ideals of those early European immigrants who settled this land and developed the government of this nation. Maybe you need to do your homework.

Roberto wrote on Jan 19, 2007 3:49 PM:Your right Ms. Cindy; the Samoan, Hispanic, and other ethnic group's cultures and their different celebrations are all very nice. But they are just that; celebrations of those cultures, not of the United States culture. You’re right, the United States does not have a lot of traditions or celebrations like the older cultures, but after only a couple of hundred years we have enough; especially considering that those 200 hundred years were during a period of sophistication, diversity, and the ACLU unlike some of the older cultures that whose traditions date back to when people worshiped Sun Gods, believed the world was flat, and lawyers weren’t a dime a dozen. I will have to check on the "in America" quote. If it is there it was an error on my part. I do not consider myself or the legal citizens of the United States as “Americans” because as you say “America is a Continent, not a Country” and I fully agree with that. The United States is a sovereign country and I have no desire to share our rights and fortunes with Canada, Mexico, Argentina and any other countries we share this land mass with. They are all, for the most part, older countries and still haven’t gotten right and quite frankly I do not believe it is the responsibility or the fault of the United States for their incompetence. Ok, so maybe Geography isn't my specialty but evidently U.S. history and culture isn’t yours.

Roberto wrote on Jan 19, 2007 3:51 PM:Ok Ms. Cindy let’s talk about your “next time you buy strawberries try to consider this” statement. Having been born and raised on a farm in the corn-fed-okie parts I can say that getting up at 3 a.m. and working the feed lots, the fields, and the dairies is hard work. But I can also say that if you pay a United States citizen a fair wage that allows for them to pursue their ideals of the United States dream then they will do the work and we will not need the illegal immigrant worker. Maybe the only reason these people come here is to earn some money to care for their families in Mexico or where ever, I don’t care. It is because they are willing to pick strawberries for $3.75 an hour, live in a canyon, and send the money back to their own countries that we are in the position we are in. No, a United States citizen is not going to work for those wages. Why should they when they can live off welfare at $4.25 an hour. Why should the agri-business spend the money to develop technology that could produce a more efficient and less labor intensive harvest? They did it in the wheat and corn fields, they did it in nut farms and the livestock yards, why not the vegetable fields and the orchards? Because it is cheaper to hire an illegal immigrant at a wage a United States citizen can’t afford to work for with no benefits, and no workman’s comp than it is to spend the money to develop the technology. The incentives for United States citizens to work the so called “jobs we won’t do” do not exist. United States citizens will do the jobs, but they have to be paid a fair wage just like professors. So yes Ms. Cindy I can wake up at 3 a.m. and I could pick my own strawberries for $3.75 an hour but I can’t afford it because I am a United States citizen. Maybe that is why there are so many “Anglo Saxon’s” in line with everyone else at the welfare office. You speak about “I don't reckon ever getting a handout from the government as an undergraduate student, or graduate student...the kids that did get assistance from the government, from my experience, were yes...Anglo-Saxons.” Well I know for a fact that when I went to apply for federal help at on of the local two year colleges that the only people who were getting any help seemed to be of Hispanic descent or were unwed mothers so maybe you just didn’t fill out your form correctly. One other thing you suggested is that we Yankee-doodles learn our own language. As English professor at Merced College why do you think that we are passed through the education system if we can’t speak our own language and if it is such a problem then why aren’t we concentrating on English rather than Spanish? Maybe it is time for you Ms. Cindy to do your homework and start being a United States citizen.