Dear Editor,

Mandatory Spanish for eighth graders? Why? You don't suppose it's because all the immigrants are refusing to learn our language do you?Stop in any store on any given day any you will hear the constant chatter in the background in the background somewhere that says you are among immigrants.I can go back in time because I am 81 years old and I remember growing up in the Pennsylvania Dutch country where everyone spoke "Dutch." However, they also spoke American, which to most of us is English.A few Mennonite kids had to learn English when they came to first grade; but they did it speedily. Here in the coal regions there were all nationalities working in the minefields. They all learned American. They may have spoken their language at home, but also spoke fluent English elsewhere.So what is the problem? The problem with me is that my ancestors excelled in the field of art and photography; hence this letter. Art is a means of self expression. Believe me; eighth graders today need that avenue.Some may say, heck, I can't even draw a straight line, or, I don't like painting or drawing. Give that person a ball of clay and in a half-hour they will use their hidden talent and create something. Art is a way of easing tension and quieting the mind to a point that a person may sit in an art room completely unaware of their surroundings.With technology changing so rapidly today it is only a matter of time when you will speak into a device and it will come out Spanish, German, Russian or whatever you choose to program in!Oh, sorry, I'd like to make one more point if I may; how many more specialists and counselors will be needed in our schools to accommodate that person who just can't get the hang of Spanish?RICHARD GROSSLEHIGHTON