I understand the reasons behind the disparity - and I'd say geography has little to do with it; most people in Europe learn English has a second language, not whatever language their neighbours speak. In fact, if anything we avoid learning their language, since we're at war with each other every half a century.
But understanding the reasons doesn't make invalid. If anything, it makes it more valid, since the reason we all learn English as a second language is because the Americans pushed for it, from Hollywood to the Internet. It's not like English was the natural default; my mother was still taught French. It wasn't until a few decades ago that English became the only thing we must absolutely learn.
In any case, I meant only what I wrote; that Americans don't know second languages is a fact. Whether that's cause for bashing was not part of my post.
But understanding the reasons doesn't make invalid. If anything, it makes it more valid, since the reason we all learn English as a second language is because the Americans pushed for it, from Hollywood to the Internet. It's not like English was the natural default; my mother was still taught French. It wasn't until a few decades ago that English became the only thing we must absolutely learn.
In any case, I meant only what I wrote; that Americans don't know second languages is a fact. Whether that's cause for bashing was not part of my post.