I'm not sure why you're targeting the British? Many people from other English-speaking countries are equally lazy and blissfully ignorant of other languages. Even some years ago in Australia there was an argument against teaching LOTE (languages other than English) in schools. Are you speaking from an experience with a British teacher or visitor in China? I'd like to think everyone should manage 3 languages: their native language, another major language, and a third lesser-known language. Not perfectly, just manageably. :) The important thing for a language is being able to use it in a clear and simple way, at the least. I see learners (of any language) focusing on slang, idioms, formal or other particular styles too much in an attempt to fast-track their language skills. However the results are either not suited to the situation, such as ending up "too slang" and difficult to understand, or they simply sound strange. Best to master walking before trying to run. ;) My two cents. ^ ^ *clinkclink*

Hi, I see from your profile that you are living in Italy. I agree with Peachey's comments. Anyway there are a lot of British people learning foreign languages just like other nationalities all over the world. Being a multicultural nation, according to the British council, as of the year 2000 there were 750 million English as a foreign language speakers. For more information: esl.about.com/od/englishlearningresources/f/f_eslmarket.htm -

why not an arab should learn a foreign lang?