Remember when English was the common language spoken here in the United States? Back then, whether the English being spoken was classic King’s English, the broken English spoken by legal immigrants, or something in-between. It’s time to go “Go Back FOR Our Future.” It’s time for English Only!

Making English our official national language would strengthen the bonds of what it is and means to be a U.S. citizen. “English only” would send a clear signal of our commitment to each other to be one nation. The diverse heritage of Americans is welcome; it always should be. However, to favor the language of one group of naturalized Americans over another is not diversity, it is divisiveness.

It doesn’t matter whether the agenda is diversity by gender, color, ethnicity, et al; what does matter is the divisiveness (whether or not it is consciously intended) that inexorably follows. These things are our Maker’s decision, or, if you don’t believe in the Maker, the vagaries of birth. Language is simultaneously the same, yet very different.

Language is the same because as newborns, we typically learn the language spoken by those in the environment into which we are born, and perhaps may never leave.

Language is also different because if our parents relocate while we are children, or as adults, we choose to relocate to a place where a different language is spoken, that presents us with, at the least, a challenge, and often a barrier. However, if we along the way effectively learn the new language, then language barriers are much less likely to present much of a challenge.

That’s just one of many reasons why it makes sense for the United States to establish a policy that requires every legal immigrant and authorized visa registrant 5 years and older to speak English in order to be approved for entry into this country. This requirement would apply to all non-citizens otherwise eligible to come to the United States.

For example, English speaking and reading standards would be required of those wishing to attend college here as well as for employees (and dependents) selected for sponsorship by any company or organization for temporary work here.

To help individuals prepare for the transition, there would be a period of time between initial visa approval and the actual departure date from the individual’s country of origin (for example nine to 12 months), when they would take additional courses in English, at personal expense, while still in their home country.

Requiring English language proficiency for authorized entry into the U.S. would help committed individuals of all ages make an easier transition into American society, and enable each person to better interact with U.S. citizens while here. It would also demonstrate that newcomers respect the United States by speaking our common English language fluently.

Upon arrival, in addition to working or taking college courses, and interacting with work colleagues or other students speaking English, each temporary “guest” would be expected to help themselves further by taking English courses at night and/or on the weekend.

While free and moderately priced English-as-a-second-language courses are offered around the U.S. at community colleges, K-12 school locations and public libraries, all such classes, directly and indirectly, add to the burden on citizen taxpayers and, as such, are inappropriate.

A better approach, and indeed a requirement of U.S. policy, would be that since all employers and colleges here are able to provide the delivery resources to further strengthen English language skills, those employers would fund the delivery system costs for non-citizen workers and dependents, while sponsoring colleges bundle all direct and indirect delivery costs into each non-citizen students’ personal costs to attend that college.

This approach helps those who want to come to our country on a temporary basis to prepare and strengthen their English language skills. It also serves as a reference model for individuals legally here or eligible to apply for entry who are willing to earn U.S. citizenship. It also evolves courses currently known as ESL (English as a Second Language) into EFL: English as a First Language.

This is the way it should be for the good of our country, and for the good of all of us. It’s time for English only!

Richard Olivastro is president of People Dynamics, an executive leadership development company, is a professional member of the National Speakers Association and founder of Citizens For Change. He can be reached at Rich@Olivastro.net.