Schwarzenegger Advises Latinos to Avoid Spanish Media to Learn English

[The Straight Story]

Gov Schwarzenegger told a group of Latino journalists Wednesday that if Latino students want to do better in school, they should shut themselves off from Spanish-language newspapers, TV and radio.

Schwarzenegger was speaking at the 25th annual National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention. In responding to a question about improving Latino academic performance, Schwarzenegger acknowledged that tutoring and after-school programs are important but said students needed to immerse themselves in English. Listen to the governor's remarks here.

The governor pointed to his own experience as an immigrant from Austria. "I know this sounds odd and this is politically not the correct thing to say and I'm going to get myself in trouble," Schwarzenegger said. "But I know that when I came to this country, I very rarely spoke German to anyone."

Schwarzenegger said that key to learning a new language quickly is immersion. "It's a drastic way of going about it, but it's the only way that I can think -- that you yourself can help, the school has to help and the parents have to help," the governor said.

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