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And maybe most young people in the world speak a bit of foreign language in 2017? Especially when you live near the border?
Yes, especially considering 1 out of 7 people on our planet can speak English on a first or second language basis. That doesn't include all the people who speak some basic business or tourism English. I'd venture to guess 1 out of 3 people speak at least some basic English on our planet.
I've always thought the US should press English language requirements into our free trade agreements. English should be compulsory for 4 years in any country we have free trade agreements with us. Why we haven't pressured Latin America to teach English in schools is beyond me. Travel to every other continent in the world, Europe, Asia, and Africa and it's entirely possible to get around with only English. It's always good to know some of the local languages, but almost everywhere uses English for trade and tourism.
But I've traveled around Mexico quite a bit and more and more young people do know some English, but it's not on par with even somewhere like China or Vietnam.
Hmmmm. So which is it going to be for the US. Mandarin or Cantonese? You seriously think other countries would bow to such arrogance?
Travel to every other continent in the world, Europe, Asia, and Africa and it's entirely possible to get around with only English. It's always good to know some of the local languages, but almost everywhere uses English for trade and tourism.
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Somehow I doubt you've travelled all over the world, if you actually think that.
Hmmmm. So which is it going to be for the US. Mandarin or Cantonese? You seriously think other countries would bow to such arrogance?
The US already teaches tons of languages and English is compulsory in China and Hong Kong. It's not arrogance. When a Chinese tourist goes to Vietnam, Korea, Philippines, Italy, France, etc, guess which language they communicate in. English, broken English (and gibberish). It's just life, English is the dominant global language. Everyone should learn multiple languages, and English is the most useful and common language globally.
Somehow I doubt you've travelled all over the world, if you actually think that.
Ok... I'm not saying people are fluent in English everywhere. But go to a $100 a night hotel in, pick any country, and they will likely speak a little English.
I wouldn't say I'm an international traveling expert, but I've traveled out of the US to 8 different countries about 14 times. I always try to learn a few basic words of national languages, but fone can get by on English most of the time. But if you travel to some remote jungle in Thailand, sure they aren't likely to speak any English, but one won't have problems flying around, staying at hotels, and seeing tourist spots on English. If one needs help, don't ask questions from some local 50 year old. Ask a young person.
The US already teaches tons of languages and English is compulsory in China and Hong Kong. It's not arrogance. When a Chinese tourist goes to Vietnam, Korea, Philippines, Italy, France, etc, guess which language they communicate in. English, broken English (and gibberish). It's just life, English is the dominant global language. Everyone should learn multiple languages, and English is the most useful and common language globally.
The arrogance comes into play when you think that forcing a nation to teach a language is valid as part of a trade agreement.
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