Discussing about English-speaking countries and their second language, Martin Jacques and Richard Holt (both columnists in The Guardian) wrote two newspaper texts last week. Martin Jacques wrote 'it is just not true that everyone else now speak English' and 'to understand a people, it is necessary to speak their own language, not the one they are using for our benefit.' (Does it matter if we only speak English, 15/12/06). Jacques comes forward with a third argument; the present status of English is not necessarily cast in stone. Herewith, he wants to emphasize the rise of China and its language Mandarin.
Following on this, Richard Holt found that the experience of learning another tongue greatly deepens your understanding of your own language (Why bother learning foreign languages?, 13/10/06). 
On the other hand, Holt brings the statement forward which explains why students do not choose to study languages. This statement 'language teaching has suffered in recent years', clarifies the need to improve language education. Because otherwise the language departments in the future will be very lonely places, said Holt.
Both columnists have positive views about a second language for English speakers. They agree with each other the importance of learning a foreign language at school. According to Jacques, the best way to learn a foreign language is when you are young, e.g. at the age of five. Holt confirms that learning a foreign language has the most effect on school. However, having capable teachers is just as important.
Besides these similarities, Jacques and Holt also show differences with each other. Jacques is of the opinion that English speakers do not speak another language, because of thought that everyone else now speaks English. In fact, English ranks only second in the world in terms of those who speak it as a first or second language: there are twice as many Mandarin speakers, said Jacques. 
Holt, on the other hand, is of the opinion that English speakers do not speak another language, because of the lack of good teachers. Nowadays there seems to be no capable teachers to teach English speakers a foreign language.

It seems both columnists are agreeing with the fact that English speakers do not speak a foreign language. However, the reason wherefore English speakers do not speak a second language is not entirely clear yet and there has to be paid attention to it.