Balls: Scott Walker has 'em

[a completely inoffensive name]

How many of those attending school in the 50's speak a second language?

This is a terrible question. American kids don't truly learn a language unless it is Spanish because that is the only one that is "practical". Again, you comment on America with a cultural bias and ignorance from being in Europe. Europeans learn multiple languages and continue to know them because you can walk 100 miles in any direction and find someone who can speak a different language then you.

Again, this even highlights why the system is broken, we are forced to "learn" a language, but when the test is over, ask someone to speak 5 sentences in a different language and you get blank looks.

EDIT: Like Vuk said, I don't mean to be a jerk or anything, but just as I don't comment on how Norway's culture works, I would expect you to know that education is saturated with issues stemming from how American culture works.

[Vuk]

This is a terrible question. American kids don't truly learn a language unless it is Spanish because that is the only one that is "practical". Again, you comment on America with a cultural bias and ignorance from being in Europe. Europeans learn multiple languages and continue to know them because you can walk 100 miles in any direction and find someone who can speak a different language then you.

Again, this even highlights why the system is broken, we are forced to "learn" a language, but when the test is over, ask someone to speak 5 sentences in a different language and you get blank looks.

Exactly, to be competitive in the job market in Europe, and to communicate with you neighbors and tourists you really need to learn multiple languages, but it is mostly (and used to be completely) impractical in America, as you will most likely never need to know another language, and will never have the opportunity to speak it and fully learn it.