Is the U.S. the only country to institute a "national language"?
536659
The US hasn't actually instituted a "national language" yet.  The measure was recently passed by the Senate, but has to go through House/Senate negotiations and be signed by the President.  \n\nA "national language" is different from an "official language."  An official language means that gov't documents will only be printed in that language--a national language is more non-binding, just to recognize that most of us speak English. \n\nMost countries do have a national or official language, and very many have more than one officially recognized language.  \n\nBut the US is different from most countries.  For the most part, people in France are of French ancestry, people in Germany are of German ancestry -- but people in the US can be of English, French, German, Russian, Irish, Italian, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Mexican, Guatemalan, Native American, or any other ancestry.  \n\nI've lived overseas for four years now, and I have come to understand that the US is genuinely unique in this respect.  I think to establish English as our only language is denying our heritage--not just for recent immigrants, but for all of us whose ancestors, at some point, spoke another language.  That heritage is a vital part of what makes us different from the rest of the world and gives us our identity as "American."
186965
I don't think there is a National curriculum.  I think each state sets that.
1014981
No, Congress has never voted to make any language our official language. In 1795 a group of legislators proposed that sets of laws be published in both German and English. This proposal was never even voted on, but the motion to adjourn and consider at a later date was defeated by 1 vote.
367470
USA, or The United States of America is one country comprised of 50 states and one federal district.\n\nIt's capital is Washington, which is in the federal District of Columbia, or D.C. for short.\n\nEnglish is the main spoken language.\nIt is the third largest country in the world with an estimated 298 million people.\n\nThe states in alphabetical order are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
305222
As far as I know, there is no national accreditation for schools.  I understand the Bush administration is looking in to national accreditation.  At present there are a number of regional accrediting groups.  For instance, schools in New Yok are accredited by the Middles States Association of Colleges and Schools.  Certain professional associations also accredit particlular programs given by a college.  For instance, the American Library Association rates library school programs.  So, in a sense, that kind of accreditation is national.  But what you might be talking about are the rankings in U.S. News & World Report.  They do differentiate between "national" universities (such as Harvard, Stanford, and Yale) and what they call "masters" universities.  This latter group is made up of colleges that are usually less research oriented and mainly attract students from their own region.  Thus they do not have much of a national reputation.
127583
No, the children in the U.S. are not as educated as in other countries. In many European countries, every student who graduates from secondary school has studied advanced math, chemistry, physics, biology, and can speak, read, write, and understand at least two foreign languages. In the U.S. students can graduate having taken Algebra 1 and Geometry, two years of science, and a year or two of a foreign language - taught from the perspective of "we will never need this, except to graduate from school, so it doesnt matter if we can even say 'where is the toilet' in the language we are studying". It is appaling that the U.S. has such low education standards when they insist they are the most civilized and advanced nation.
855664
Yes, and furthermore, since the USA has no declared official language, I also think all American students should take it...right along with their SATs and ASVABs
363358
English.  I feel the United States is a very influential country and for the most part English is spoken, so most other country learn to speak English.
805314
1/4 of the US was once a territory of Mexico.  Another huge chunk was Russian.  Another chunk was French.  Each of those chunks was purchased or won in combat by the English chunk.   Therefore, English won out.\n\nThere was a push for a long while to establish a national language between German and English!  But that died down once the Great World War started.  I've picked up a great deal of Spanish, because I enjoy it.  Otherwise, I don't think anyone should be forced to learn Spanish.  Just like learning English, it might make some interactions easier!
1135210
it should be the only language spoken.
682123
I think it is a great idea!  We are a nation and we have the right to make an "OFFICIAL" anything.  Other countries have their official language.  We are not saying that you cannot speak other languages, but it should be MANDATORY that anyone who wants to be a citizen, must speak English.
1156056
It is official.  Has been for centuries, actually.  It won out by only one vote over the proposal that we speak German.  Can you see how history might have been different if we didn't have this as our official language?\n\nAnd if Ben Franklin had his way, our national bird would have been the turkey.  Yikes!
363758
I think most universities in native English-speaking countries require students from non-English speaking countries to take a TOEFL or TOEIC test. The Philippines is considered a non-English speaking country.
529380
No.  The predominant language in this country is English.  The dec of ind, the constitution, everything is English.  It's good to keep your native culture alive, but don't expect the whole nation to conform and adapt to you.  This is the only country in the world where the immigrants think they have the right to demand people speak their language.  When you visit France, or India, or whatever, you have to learn the native language to converse, so why is it different here?\nAnd angelbaby? Illinois has lots and lots of mexican immigrants, illegal or otherwise...ever heard of cicero?  This is the top destination after CA and TX!
370255
ONE Of The Requirements For Citizenship To The US Is To Learn The Language(Reading, Writing, And Vocabulary)
311495
Yes.\nAll Russians and some other people that study languages.
1101267
Yes it is and the official language is Mandarin and the written language is the same no matter what dialect they speak.  The definition of a Nation-State is not based on languages but rather on geographical boundaries.  There are numerous "nations" that have multiple official languages.  Singapore and the Netherlands are just a couple examples.