In the medieval city of Fes, Morocco, thousands of tiny shops throng the dark, narrow alleys of the medina (the old city). People, pushcarts and overburdened donkeys haul a multitude of trade goods through steep, crowded streets, while the smells of spices, manure and humanity hang in the air. It is a noisy, exciting, lively place where commerce has brought opportunity and hope to its citizens for over a thousand years.

As my husband and I jostled our way through the streets, we were struck by the language capabilities of the merchants. All spoke Arabic and French. The more enterprising and successful also spoke English (used for enthusiastic sales pitches for their carpets, bronze trays, spices and innumerable other products).

In Morocco, the law requires all children to attend school, where they learn Arabic and French and, sometimes, English. In the cities, many families heed the law, sending both boys and girls to school. These children learn the skills they need to succeed.

The story in the countryside is different, however. There, despite the law, we saw tiny children herding sheep and goats on steep, rocky mountainsides or selling vegetables, fossils and olive oil along the sides of the roads. These children don't and won't go to school. They won't learn to speak Arabic and French, much less English. Their labor is essential for the survival of their families. Thus, they will always be poor and their lack of education will ensure that the opportunity to better their existence passes them by.

Watching these kids, I kept thinking about how important knowledge and language ability are to opening the doors of opportunity. Because of America's great wealth, English has become the language of worldwide commerce. Knowledge of English clearly is an advantage to ambitious people around the world. But, it isn't the only important language and it isn't the only one American children should learn. Too many of us Americans are illiterate in other languages and cultures and find ourselves at a distinct disadvantage when engaged in business dealings with people from other countries who often speak several languages, including English.

While I strongly believe that every child should learn English in school and that every American will benefit by speaking English, I am also ardently opposed to such initiatives as "English-only" amendments. They are insulting and unnecessary. Anyone limited to menial jobs by being unable to speak English understands how important it is. That's why generations of immigrants have worked so hard to send their children to school to learn the language that will improve their job potential.

Thinking about all this, it seems to me that the debate over English and bilingual education has taken the wrong turn. We have become so focused on how many years kids should have to become fluent in English-and on limiting those years. We fret so much about making sure English determines who's a real American. We seem to be forgetting that along with learning English, non-English speaking children also need to be getting an education-learning math, science, history-and gaining the skills they need-like reading, problem-solving and writing--to be productive Americans. We need to give them both. We all know that children learn to read at different times and we work hard to give them the help they need to become good readers. That may take 3 or 4 or 5 years or more, depending on the child. Why, then, are we so intent on making children fluent in a second language, English, in a fixed period of time, a time when they also need to be learning broader subjects? And, why aren't we more insistent that English-speaking children learn a second language, which would be a great advantage to them?

If America is to continue to be the land of opportunity for people from all socio-economic levels, from all parts of the world, it's time to have a more productive debate over language and learning. If our children are to be successful in an increasingly competitive world economy, they need both language and learning. Let's make sure they have it.