Hi Jack,

I know it seems harshly written, it was not my intention to convey that I agreed with that option - merely to give people the chance who hold a strong opinion like that to disagree. Sometimes the "tough" choice in these polls is modelled on the sort of %^@&@$ that you hear certain Swiss coming out from time to time. You've lived here long enough - you know exactly what I'm talking about!

I agree with you though - it is a personal choice. In Australia for example learning English is not a condition of citizenship, it is encouraged but nobody forces the issue. Free interpretation and translation services are provided to migrants for the first 2 years should they need it when dealing with government departments or other situations, after that - they are on their own. In other words, if you don't want to assimilate or learn the local language that's ok. That's because Australia has a policy of multiculturalism as opposed to assimilation. Switzerland for example says that it is multicultural, but in reality their official policy is very much one of assimilation. I think any country which attaches conditions to citizenship (tests, etc.) is running a policy of assimilation.

I expect many expats will jump on me here for daring to question that assimilation should be a matter of choice, since I've heard so many (especially Brits) bitching about immigrants in their own countries. All I wanted to say is that I agree with you, learning a language is a matter of personal choice.

The sad part however is that even those who are committed to do so will struggle because the real language of the street is so far removed from that of the classroom. Unless you are unfortunate enough to be the the child of a migrant and have your German classes in High German and the rest of your schooling in Swiss German! (see thread on Swiss schooling for more discussion on that!)

Mark