refering to Obama's statement of "it's embarassing that they come here and speak french...etc...but when we go over there we can only say merci..."

What do you feel about our country, english, and being bilingual, etc.

*************

I, personally, have never had a problem with someone visiting the US - or anywhere - and not knowing the language of that country. That expectation is petty and ridiculous and, well, impossible for a lot to adhere to.

However - if I was going to move to another country bet your butt I'd learn their language! I would never want to move somewhere and live not knowing what people are saying and how to get from point A to point B. People, also, shouldn't have to struggle to communicate with and understand me.
Likewise - if someone's moving to the US, etc, I would expect them to have the same courtesy.

I think Obama fails to realize that a lot of people in a lot of country's have this view. Vacationing: doesn't matter. Moving: make an effort.

Hmm..

Well when I was in France they spoke English to me. Lol they didn't even bother to speak French, and I'm not sure whether that was them being polite, or if it was an insult. I do know a little French, enough to get me around half comfortably, but I never had to say any more than........"merci". :sigh

I think you should learn the basics when you visit a foreign country. Not only to be polite, but also for your own safety & wellbeing. If there was an emergency or something, you would want to know enough of their language to get help. So I think it's a good idea, but not a requirement.

However, if you're going to move to that country- you should atleast have the decency to TRY to learn something. I think it's extremely rude not to. You don't have to be fluent, but you should atleast make the attempt to learn, especially if you're going to have to communicate with the citizens. And that really goes for any country, and any language. If you're in their country- you should speak the way the country does.

Well im German myself and i honestly would be lost here if i wouldn't know any English, for sure you meet German ppl here somewhere around but still.
I think you should kno a language if you move somewhere, the funny part i experienced non English speaking ppl my self in the visa process.

Well or where i live, and most likely they are Spanish and don't know any English and i think honestly that no visa should be issued if you don't at least be able to speak a lil bit of the language you want to immigrate. ( well maybe in Emergencies)

Well but honestly y should they learn English, around here in every office its english and spanish. Even if you call your phone company or what ever its always pls press 2 for spanish????

WEll I know that mexico is pretty close here but i still dont think its fair, where is if you german pls press 5 button...............i think all should be treated equal if i go somewhere i cant just think there will be a german person who will translate for me, ive gone through rough times bc i hate that i dont speak that good and nobody was able to help me but ive gone through it. And i think its not good and not fair to treat some other ppl not equally than other.................



I think its easier to learn a language if you dont have all this, and most of them just dont learn it bc why bother at all ill get through like this.

But if Obama says something like that then i think he also should educate the soldiers more, bc he sends them to countries all over the world and the dont freaking know any other language than English, and i think thats ignorant.

But here the same, since im from Germany i know that less than 25% percent of the soldiers where i lived could speak german, and y everybody can speak english.

Also my husband who lived there for 6 yrs...well but he still has tooooo......

I think if you live somewhere or intent to move somewhere you should at least try to learn the language b4......even if its just the basics but i think its just ignorant if you dont even try or dont know anything...............

I've tried three times to write this in a way that won't get me attacked, but I can't. I'm not ignorant on this topic, but preggo brain has gotten to me in a major way today. So I am just going to agree with those that have said for vacation it would be nice to know some of the basics of the language of the country you are visiting and that if you are moving, you should attempt to learn much more than the basics and continue your learning while you are there. Languages are hard to learn - especially english with a million words for one thing or a million meanings for one word - but our country (as diverse and wonderful as it is) shouldn't have to slowly be changing its national language because so many people don't speak the one we already have established.

I think the main problem with this lies in the assumption that if you can't speak english well, you must not be trying to learn.

especially for older people who have emigrated to America, English is HARD to learn. It can take a few years. Some people, for whatever reason, didn't have the time to learn very well before they came to America and are therefor continuing to learn here.

I am all for people speaking what I speak (although spanish is a HUGE language in America so I always wonder why people don't freak about learning spanish...) but I think it is sad when people don't take into account how hard it can be to learn.

Just because they don't speak as well as you does NOT mean they ARENT trying.
and I'm sick of hearing people assume that.

ETA:
I'd also like to add that learning a language is BEST done when you are fully submerged in it. IE learning German? live in germany for a year. Those who choose to learn it better in America are smart because they know that if English is ALL they hear... they will learn it faster than just an hour a day class.

Well im German myself and i honestly would be lost here if i wouldn't know any English, for sure you meet German ppl here somewhere around but still.
I think you should kno a language if you move somewhere, the funny part i experienced non English speaking ppl my self in the visa process.

Well or where i live, and most likely they are Spanish and don't know any English and i think honestly that no visa should be issued if you don't at least be able to speak a lil bit of the language you want to immigrate. ( well maybe in Emergencies)

Well but honestly y should they learn English, around here in every office its english and spanish. Even if you call your phone company or what ever its always pls press 2 for spanish????

WEll I know that mexico is pretty close here but i still dont think its fair, where is if you german pls press 5 button...............i think all should be treated equal if i go somewhere i cant just think there will be a german person who will translate for me, ive gone through rough times bc i hate that i dont speak that good and nobody was able to help me but ive gone through it. And i think its not good and not fair to treat some other ppl not equally than other.................



I think its easier to learn a language if you dont have all this, and most of them just dont learn it bc why bother at all ill get through like this.

But if Obama says something like that then i think he also should educate the soldiers more, bc he sends them to countries all over the world and the dont freaking know any other language than English, and i think thats ignorant.

But here the same, since im from Germany i know that less than 25% percent of the soldiers where i lived could speak german, and y everybody can speak english.

Also my husband who lived there for 6 yrs...well but he still has tooooo......

I think if you live somewhere or intent to move somewhere you should at least try to learn the language b4......even if its just the basics but i think its just ignorant if you dont even try or dont know anything...............

actually, the military does provide rosetta stone to soldiers. We are using it. Not just for one language, but for anything you can think of. It is wonderful

I've tried three times to write this in a way that won't get me attacked, but I can't. I'm not ignorant on this topic, but preggo brain has gotten to me in a major way today. So I am just going to agree with those that have said for vacation it would be nice to know some of the basics of the language of the country you are visiting and that if you are moving, you should attempt to learn much more than the basics and continue your learning while you are there. Languages are hard to learn - especially english with a million words for one thing or a million meanings for one word - but our country (as diverse and wonderful as it is) shouldn't have to slowly be changing its national language because so many people don't speak the one we already have established.

There is no official language in the U.S. right now



I can say first hand: when we got orders to Italy, I started trying to learn Italian. It is hard!! I am still not fluent, but I know enough to communicate when I need to. Again, the military offeres Rosetta Stone to its soldiers, you dont have to be on orders either and you can learn any language. I am planning to learn Spanish after I finish Italian.

I think it is important to learn enough to get around. Vacation or not.

Just because they don't speak as well as you does NOT mean they ARENT trying.
and I'm sick of hearing people assume that.

Thank you!! Plus until you become fluent, sometimes you are scared you are going to mix words up or say them wrong. ITs not easy at all!

And again the U.S. does not have an official language.

Languages are hard to learn - especially english with a million words for one thing or a million meanings for one word

Haha, German has about nine words for 'the' & 'a' (each), English isn't as hard to learn as you'd first think.

I think if you are going to move to a country, you should attempt to learn the language. I know that we have no "official" language, it just seems English is pretty much the most spoken here. I don't know the facts I could be wrong on that. If you want to move here, you should attempt to learn English. I don't think it's fair to make people here learn more languages to make others comfortable.

Vacations are temporary . I agree some language familiarity should be had for your safety and ease but to visit and expect to be fluent? Obama will be visiting many countries if he is elected I hope he is ready to study and practice what he preaches heh.

If I were to live in a country heck yeah ...learn the language . It bothers me that I live here and my tax dollars go to write things in 50 languages when people live here . I know English is hard to learn , but if you live here to expect others to know YOUR language for your ease is ridiculous .

Languages are hard to learn - especially english with a million words for one thing or a million meanings for one word - but our country (as diverse and wonderful as it is) shouldn't have to slowly be changing its national language because so many people don't speak the one we already have established.

I think that that is a common misconception (especially by those who don't know a foreign language) that English is one of the most difficult or even the most difficult language to learn. As someone who has learned English as a foreign language as well as other languages I truly believe that there many other languages much more difficult to learn than English (French, Japanese/Chinese/Korean to name just a few). Also interestingly even people who believe that it is so difficult to learn seem to forget that when they complain about people not speaking English.

Nobody is talking about changing the national (albeit unofficial) language in the US. BUT what should happen is the change in mentality from 'Everyone here and everywhere we go needs to speak English' to a mentality that is more productive to learning a foreign language in school. I have seen and heard many people say (and an off SOS) that their child shouldn't be 'forced' to learn a foreign language. I just don't see what is wrong with learning another language early on. It is proven that children learn a second (and third and fourth...) language a lot better the earlier they start.

Making it mandatory to learn a second language does not mean that the first language will be forgotten and banned. It just extends ones horizon and what is wrong with that? By learning another language kids will also have a better understanding of the difficulties in learning and using another language.
Which would be very helpful considering many people here in the US seem to think that everyone must speak English up to their standard. And they seem to think that just because someone's English isn't well enough that they aren't learning. Depending on one's age and what one's first language it is it more difficult to learn and to speak.

I think when you go somewhere, even just to visit, you should familiarize yourself...

I think overall it is embarassing that the majority of Americans only speak English (myself included).

I have taken 5 years of Spanish but I never really bothered to become fluent and that is a HUGE regret. I wish that I had been forced to learn another language from much younger than High School.

There is no reason for Americans to not know another language when most other countries have their citizens learning the native language AND English.

the old joke "what do you call someone who speaks two languages? - bilingual. what do you call someone who speaks one language? -- American." it is true and so sad.

I think if you live in a country, you need to learn to speak the language. That goes for any country. I don't think it's okay to expect the country to cater to you.

I feel like America is the only country that bends over backwards to please everyone that comes to this country, and frankly it pisses me off sometimes.

Languages are hard to learn - especially english with a million words for one thing or a million meanings for one word - but our country (as diverse and wonderful as it is) shouldn't have to slowly be changing its national language because so many people don't speak the one we already have established.

The US doesn't have a national language.



This is about the extent of my opinion on this subject. I think that people getting so riled up and angry and even abusive over LANGUAGE is ridiculous. I live in Arizona and seeing people treat each other so badly and even HATE each other over it... Yeah, THAT is what's wrong with the world. Not the gays or the abortionists or the Atheists. Not the Republicans or the Democrats or the immigrants. It's the assholes that will treat you like a worthless piece of shit because you don't look, act, or speak the way that THEY want you to. :rolleyes

Haha, German has about nine words for 'the' & 'a' (each), English isn't as hard to learn as you'd first think.
it is when we use words in ways other languages don't. we say things like your such a ham, in spanish they don't use phrases like that. English is hard to learn much like any other language.

I feel like America is the only country that bends over backwards to please everyone that comes to this country, and frankly it pisses me off sometimes.

How do you figure?

it is when we use words in ways other languages don't. we say things like your such a ham, in spanish they don't use phrases like that. English is hard to learn much like any other language.

On the flip side Spanish (or any other language) has sentences/words not used in English. If I said 'You have a jump in your dish' you would have most likely no idea what I'm saying. If I said it in German it would make perfect sense to people who speak German. Every single languages has expressions and words not found in other languages.

I think overall it is embarassing that the majority of Americans only speak English (myself included).

I have taken 5 years of Spanish but I never really bothered to become fluent and that is a HUGE regret. I wish that I had been forced to learn another language from much younger than High School.

There is no reason for Americans to not know another language when most other countries have their citizens learning the native language AND English.

the old joke "what do you call someone who speaks two languages? - bilingual. what do you call someone who speaks one language? -- American." it is true and so sad.

I fully agree.

I try to make an effort to learn the language if I am visiting or moving somewhere, which I expect the same when people come here. I do not believe that ballots, etc should be provided in anything but English. As a citizen you should know enough to vote in English.

On the flip side Spanish (or any other language) has sentences/words not used in English. If I said 'You have a jump in your dish' you would have most likely no idea what I'm saying. If I said it in German it would make perfect sense to people who speak German. Every single languages has expressions and words not found in other languages.
that is what i was saying. language in general is hard. when people say things like well English isn't that hard. Yeah when you have been speaking it all your life its pretty freaking easy.
We can't expect someone to come here and learn english in seconds. just like i don't expect to go to x country and be fluent right away.
Americans have the least amount of tolerance for those learning a language. We expect you to know it before you get here. Like 90% can just take time off to learn a language. its rather ridiculous to think that.

I think if you live in a country, you need to learn to speak the language. That goes for any country. I don't think it's okay to expect the country to cater to you.

I feel like America is the only country that bends over backwards to please everyone that comes to this country, and frankly it pisses me off sometimes.

Have you been out of the U.S.? There are several other countries that have things written in the countries language and english and spanish...ect depends on where you go.

Have you been out of the U.S.? There are several other countries that have things written in the countries language and english and spanish...ect depends on where you go.

Actually, YES, I have. I know other countries put things in different languages. My comment wasn't directed towards the language issue alone. It was just a general statement.

side bar: This reminds me of a British guy in one of my Political Science classes last semester who said something, (I forget what word it was ) and another student said "wtf language is that? british?" and hte guy was like "no mate, sorry, it's called English" :lmao

pretty much off topic, but this made me think of it. okay, carry on.

IMHO, it's all about respect. You got to a country, you make an effort to speak their language regardless if it's vacation or not. Honestly people tend to help you more when you make an effort to speak their language even if you can't speak it well. However, that does not happen all the time because people assume that everyone must speak their language regardless if they know it or not. i.e English or American.

I travel alot and I always try to use the little words from those country to communicate even to say thank you or to say hello or even good bye. It's courtesy. It will not kill you to make an effort to learn when you are planning to visit another country. I have however experience some rudeness especially from Americans who live here in Germany who do not even make an effort about learning German. These are the same people who bitch and moan how people who come to America must learn the language, but yet it's ok for them not to learn because they are just there temporary and it's not their choice to be in Germany. But ofcourse these bad seeds are replace by the good seeds of those who love to learn new culture and language and makes an effort to even order food in German.

But age do play a major role in learning a language. The younger you are, the better you are able to absorb the language faster. I actually like the idea of dual language school. I had that in Malaysia when I was growing up where we learn both Malay and English. And I know in some parts of California, they have Spanish and English. I am going to encourage DS to learn more than 2 languages when he is growing up.

English is not easy but it is easier to learn than other languages like Chinese or Russian.

But age do play a major role in learning a language. The younger you are, the better you are able to absorb the language faster. I actually like the idea of dual language school. I had that in Malaysia when I was growing up where we learn both Malay and English. And I know in some parts of California, they have Spanish and English. I am going to encourage DS to learn more than 2 languages when he is growing up.



I would love to send Miss K to an International/2 language School but those are very rare here in the US. :yes

I think if you live in a country, you need to learn to speak the language. That goes for any country. I don't think it's okay to expect the country to cater to you.

I feel like America is the only country that bends over backwards to please everyone that comes to this country, and frankly it pisses me off sometimes.

You are very wrong in saying that America is the only country that bends over backwards to cater to foreigners. Every country that we currently have bases on goes out of their way to ensure our soldiers and their families can communicate quite well actually. Their people learn our language, watch our news and stay up to date on most American issues.

We are living in South Korea and most people do not realize that next to their native tongue, English is taking a front seat in their classrooms. Their children are taught every single day in English and in their native tongue.

It is difficult to learn a new language, and very intimidating to move to a foreign country, then to deal with hateful people who are rude because you might not use their language is very frustrating. I will never look at foreigners again in our wonderful country with such hate or aggrivation over something as simple as a language barrier. But instead know that I myself was in their shoes. It would take years, and I mean YEARS to completely be able to speak to the Korean people and not butcher their language.

The people here are wonderful in helping us to learn to communicate and seemingly change their own language so that we may understand it better. They are beautiful and very kind to us. They dont sigh or get upset, for the most part. It is rare for a language barrier to cause an issue. And talking with them, or asking them for help seems to please them and show them the respect as a human being, and that I am willing to learn to live with them. They dont treat people the same as they do back home, they are not rude or act frustrated when you are trying to understand them.

Just try putting yourself in their shoes. They are coming to our country to gain a better life for their families, or to be with family already here. I think that in itself should make us proud as a nation. And sometimes Americans really dont understand just how badly somethings are in another country.

I think our children need to oppourtunity to learn a different way to communicate. My kids are already picking up small things in Korean here. Its really a neat experience. :)

I dont think its embarassing , what is more embarassing is that we are so behind in math and science . Lets get some basics down pat and on par with the rest of the world and then bother about teaching a second language.

The US doesn't have a national language.



This is about the extent of my opinion on this subject. I think that people getting so riled up and angry and even abusive over LANGUAGE is ridiculous. I live in Arizona and seeing people treat each other so badly and even HATE each other over it... Yeah, THAT is what's wrong with the world. Not the gays or the abortionists or the Atheists. Not the Republicans or the Democrats or the immigrants. It's the assholes that will treat you like a worthless piece of shit because you don't look, act, or speak the way that THEY want you to. :rolleyes

I agree this is a hot button topic in Arizona (and other border states I would imagine) Racism AND classism run rampant in the AZ.

In defense of the unilingual nature of Americans, I think that it’s important to take into account the geography of the United States and our educational system.

The size of the United States makes it such that we can drive for literally days without leaving our country, let alone without leaving the security of an English-speaking nation. Many Americans have never even left their state, let alone crossed international borders. The easy travel and small, diverse range of countries within Europe, for example, provides a natural environment for picking up other languages, if not a necessity to do so. The global culture is also very different than in the United States, news most often encompasses intercontinental affairs, as they also happen to be inextricably linked through the EU.

The American educational system is also understaffed and underfunded, with very little emphasis on world history or current events. We're struggling to teach our kids even basic math, so foreign language simply doesn't register on the list of priorities. When language issues are brought, the current concerns surround bilingual classes - integrating Spanish-speaking and other students into the general classroom. We have a strong internal struggle right now in simply seeing that students are getting the most fundamental aspects of their education covered that it turns foreign languages into almost a luxury in many schools. And quite frankly, hearing some kids speak these days, I'm a little worried that they don't even have their first language down pat.

“It’s embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe and all we can say is merci beaucoup, right?”

That's the actual Obama quote, and I understand his point. I wouldn't have used the word "embarrassing," maybe "unfortunate?" I agree that it's a little sad that so few Americans, with bordering countries who speak Spanish and French, speak only English.

Half the time we don't even speak English that well.

Of course, with such a geographically large country, it's more difficult to expect us to speak the languages of every bordering country. When you live in Germany, it takes only a few hours or less to get to a country with a different native language, whereas it would take me at least 12 hours' drive. Although, if I want to hear Spanish primarily I can just drive into the neighbouring town.

I'm not sure what the point I'm trying to make is. I just wanted to clarify the actual quote from Obama, because he was misquoted in the OP. My opinion on it is that Americans need better education overall. Educational overhaul in this country could solve a TON of our problems.

Haha, German has about nine words for 'the' & 'a' (each), English isn't as hard to learn as you'd first think.

I think English is VERY hard to learn, because it's based in so many different types of languages. There can be a dozen or more different ways to pronounce a given letter, depending on the word it's used in. The pronounciation of "a" in Spanish is always "ah," but in English it can be all kinds of ways (go back and look at how many different ways ' was pronounced just in this paragraph).

This is my favorite example of how difficult English can be to learn, and this is what I show my students:

I'm going to start with a word, then change one letter, and I want you to say the new word out loud.

Rough
Trough
Though
Through
Thorough
Throughout

There is no reason for Americans to not know another language when most other countries have their citizens learning the native language AND English.
the old joke "what do you call someone who speaks two languages? - bilingual. what do you call someone who speaks one language? -- American." it is true and so sad.

Besides the fact that our educational system needs an overhaul, I agree. I really wish that we would teach our children a foreign language or two. Since we can't depend on the schools to do it for us, my husband and I are undertaking that ourselves.

And quite frankly, hearing some kids speak these days, I'm a little worried that they don't even have their first language down pat.


Half the time we don't even speak English that well.


Case in point:
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/LadyAnissina/spelling.jpg

Yeah... that's all I have to say about that one...

I think English is VERY hard to learn, because it's based in so many different types of languages. There can be a dozen or more different ways to pronounce a given letter, depending on the word it's used in. The pronounciation of "a" in Spanish is always "ah," but in English it can be all kinds of ways (go back and look at how many different ways ' was pronounced just in this paragraph).

This is my favorite example of how difficult English can be to learn, and this is what I show my students:

I'm going to start with a word, then change one letter, and I want you to say the new word out loud.

Rough
Trough
Though
Through
Thorough
Throughout

I totally agree with Eelo here... if you ask people who speak several languages and English is NOT their first, the majority of them will tell you that English was the hardest to learn. At least that's what I've seen in my experiences with multi-linguists, and we're at the Defense Language Institute, so I interact with them frequently.

english is extremely hard to learn. all the slang.

I believe if you go into another country (to live) you should speak the language (make an attempt at least) that is in that country. Even if there are those that speak English there, you should do your part.

I agree with everyone on here that if you are going to move somewhere--then you need to learn the language. it is just common sense.

However, when vacationing, I believe that you should at least learn some basic, courtesy phrases (please, thank you, etc). While you might not be able to get past the basics, I think it is a matter of courtesy to show that you can at least make an effort to try and speak their language even if it is just one or two words and badly spoken - they see you are at least trying and then they can proceed speaking with you in English if they know it.

I totally agree with Eelo here... if you ask people who speak several languages and English is NOT their first, the majority of them will tell you that English was the hardest to learn. At least that's what I've seen in my experiences with multi-linguists, and we're at the Defense Language Institute, so I interact with them frequently.

Not to mention, for the most part, pronounciations are relatively similar between languages; that is, a, e, i, o, u all sound the same (if not very similar) in French, Italian, Spanish, Hawaiian, Romanized Japanese, German, etc. There is an actual, physical change to the letter if the pronounciation is different (such as an accent mark or an umlaut).

When I was in elementary school in the 1960s, we learned Phonics. I remember being taught all about the different markings for regular English letters to guide in pronounciation. Does anyone else remember the schwa?

Seriously, at the bottom of the dictionary pages, there was a pronounciation guide, much like a map legend, showing people how to pronounce the words (a as in 'hat,' a as in 'hall,' a as in 'late,' etc). The only thing is, if you didn't know how to pronouce those words to begin with, the pronounciation guide was pointless.

I didn't read all the way through but...

I think if you are going to move to a country, you should attempt to learn the language. I know that we have no "official" language, it just seems English is pretty much the most spoken here. I don't know the facts I could be wrong on that. If you want to move here, you should attempt to learn English. I don't think it's fair to make people here learn more languages to make others comfortable.
:agree

The thing that I wish were different in the States is school requirements of learning another language. There are countries that begin schooling children in one language that is not the language spoken in their homes. For example, I believe Lebanon has the highest literacy rate of Middle Eastern countries (well... in 2004 they did). Children's parents choose if their child will begin school in French or English. Then, from K on to 9th grade, they learn in that language. They have 1 Arabic grammar class every year to teach them the collequial form of Arabic because written and formal Arabic are used in writing and things like public speech. Other than that, their dialect is learned at home. Once they get to 9th grade, they switch. If they had been schooled in French up to that point, they switch and spend 4 years learning English while also practicing French and Arabic. So they become almost fluent in all three languages.

Teachers must speak entirely in French or English depending on the school they teach at. The children are expected to speak in which ever language they're schooling in as well. So they are always exposed to the language. I am in favor of this sort of language education.

I do not believe in *forcing* anyone to learn a language though. I just wish that we were a tad more serious about educating our children in foreign languages for future opportunities. We are more global now than when we were growing up.

I actually picked up english as a second language pretty fast at age 5.
Its very possible. So there is really no excuse not to try and show children some other language.

Ever since I moved to Korea my views on many things have changed. Language is one of them. I used to think the US should adopt an English only policy and in some ways I still do. However, I have become disgruntled with this attitude. We as US citizens pretty much expect people to speak English when they come to the US, even if they are visiting and yet when US citizens in general travel, they don’t make a lot of effort to learn the local language of where they are visiting and are thanking God the locals speak English. You know why they speak English? It equals money, lots of money.
I really don’t have a problem with us learning Spanish because it seems the rest of the world is multi lingual, why can’t we do the same? And it doesn’t have to be Spanish, it can be another language. I am trying to learn Korean; it’s very difficult so I am slow to learn it. Koreans who speak English have learned since kindergarten and say it’s very hard to learn English. We have many words where one word can mean multiple things. Words like “row”. Row can mean a row of chairs, or row your boat or get into a row as in fight. Other words “tear” and “live” pronounced differently for its meaning. Can you see why it can be difficult to learn English for some? And words that have similar sounds can be confusing. Like, life, light, live, etc. I have been told by some Koreans that all they can hear is Li—and get very confused.
Now I am not saying that people shouldn’t learn English but I think having multi lingual signs such as traffic signs wouldn’t be such a bad idea. I tell you if Korea did not have street signs in English I would be soooooo lost.

I'm in favor of adopting English as the national language for simplicity's sake, and for better foreign language education within schools.

Hmm..
I think you should learn the basics when you visit a foreign country. Not only to be polite, but also for your own safety & wellbeing. If there was an emergency or something, you would want to know enough of their language to get help. So I think it's a good idea, but not a requirement.


:agree

I think that learning a foreign language is really important. I'm a firm supporter of it being taught in elementary schools as I think being able to communicate with people from different cultures is crucial.

I'm sorry, but I think that if you're going to move to a country that speaks a language different from your own, it is your responsibility to try to acquire enough knowledge to at least get by. Visiting is one thing, but planning on staying for any long length of time makes the person responsible for learning some of the language.