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I agree that having one language that everyone can communicate in is most conduicive to a smoothly running country. Or maybe two as in Canada if it's applicable. And also that immigrants should make an effort to learn the language of their new country.
However I think it's a shame that in English speaking countries, schools aren't more proactive in teaching foreign languages. It is probably more difficult in English speaking countries - I mean, what language do you teach? In non-English speaking countries the choice is obvious I suppose, since English is the most widely spoken language (in terms of countries spoken in; I think mandarin is the most widely spoken in terms of numbers of people speaking it). But in Australia for instance, what should we learn - an asian language, a european language? But I think being able to communicate in other languages is an important skill, not the least of which because it teaches kids about the world, about different cultures and peoples - maybe tolerance? I feel sad when I hear Australians saying that anyone who comes to this country should speak English - not even learn it, but speak it before they get here, yet we're not able to speak other languages ourselves, and it's very low on the agenda in schools.
I also think it's sad that less widely spoken languages are dying out. Not many aboriginals can speak their native language(s) anymore. It isn't something that is embraced by non-Aboriginals, and even Aboriginals aren't learning it and not encouraging it in Aboriginal schools because it's not really relevant or useful in Australia today. But with it's passing goes an extent of cultural diversity.
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