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Generally people do not learn foreign languages in America. Most states required students to take a year or two of a foreign language (usually French or Spanish) before they can graduate high school, but it's just not enough for any real learning to occur. And it's typically started too late, not until at least 14 or 15 years old, at which point the brain is not as capable of aquiring new language skills. Basically the system is very screwed up. In California, where I live, most people have a pretty basic grasp of Spanish due to the large amount of Spanish-speakers living here. But a vast majority of Americans beleive that the US is and should remain a one-langage country. They are not very tolerant of non-English speaking immigrants. They think people should essentially learn English or get out. And of course they wouldn't dream of learning another language! It's all very ignorant and annoying.