I have noticed an increasing number of jobs in the metro Atlanta newspapers that prefer or require the ability to speak Spanish.

Currently, the majority of the positions are clerical but I’m afraid that soon all job categories will require the same.

My niece took Spanish four semesters in high school and is not fluent. It takes years to become fluent in this language.

Employers need to realize that most working-class Americans, ages 18-65, are only able to speak English fluently and should not be penalized because of this.

It takes money that most of us don’t have and precious time away from our families to learn to speak another language. I believe it is wrong for Americans to be discriminated against for speaking their own language.

Michael Phillips

Fayetteville, Ga.