Local leader says change must include right 'tools'

WORCESTER—The new executive director of Centro Las Americas agrees with state Board of Education Chairman John R. Silber about the importance of speaking English.

But without a greater commitment to education, Elmer Eubanks said last night, Silber’s words ring hollow.

“I think it all depends on the need of the student and what resources are available,” Eubanks said during a reception at Centro’s 11 Sycamore St. offices. He assumed the executive director’s post in March.

“I do think that learning a second language is not that easy. I think we need to develop more resources to help people learn the English language,” he said.

Growing up in Costa Rica, the 32-year-old Eubanks primarily spoke English. He learned Spanish later in life.

“I’m not sure how long is too long,” he said, referring to Silber’s call for a limit on the amount of time a student should spend in a bilingual setting. “My sense is that at the younger ages you learn it a little bit faster.

“A lot of foreigners who come here have an easier time learning the English language because they speak English in their schools,” he said.

“People who don’t have that in their country of origin will have a little bit harder time. “

SUPPORT NEEDED

Eubanks said it is important to support agencies, such as Centro Las Americas, that provide assistance in learning English. “If you want people to assimilate faster, there’s going to be a cost to it,” he said. “… How do you want us to learn the language if you don’t give us the tools to work with? “

Eubanks said it seems logical that everyone who lives in the United States should learn to speak English.

“It’s a matter of competitive advantage,” he said. “The more languages you speak, the more of an advantage you have. I think a lot of our community wants to learn English. I think some of us who have been here should learn Spanish as well. It’s important for all of us to learn more than one language. “



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