Americans are crippled in the language department because of errors in the school system. Anyone who knows anything about learning language knows that children learn other languages more quickly, easily, and accurately if they start at a younger age. The American school system does not even offer education in foreign language until high school level. By that time it is difficult for a person to pick up a foreign language. This is the main reason Americans seldom learn a foreign language, it is just not an option in America.

In America we have a big continent where most of the surrounding countries have some amount of English in their national language. Canada speaks English and French. We are not exposed as much to people who speak different languages unless we come from a family which speaks a foreign language. In Europe there are English, French, German, Italian, Greek, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Polish, and Russian speaking nations all in close proximity. This makes it more convenient for people to have at least one foreign language in their vocabulary. It is almost as if each American state had its own language.

A lot of Americans just have no need and do not care to learn a second language. The school system does not supply educational opportunities in this area until far too late, and there is little chance to practice your second language unless you have family who speak this language. All these factors contribute to America being a largely one language country.

Learn more about this author, William Remski.
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