We have visas for students and workers that you are talking about. The people looking for an academic/work experience who don’t want to live in the US, were probably required to take English language courses in their native country.
My use of the term ‘immigrant’ was a specific reference to people who are trying to obtain citizenship. In the intro clip to the PBS documentary, there were two immigrant parents who argued for more English language instruction for their children. These parents realize that their kids’ command of the English language is directly related to their ability to succeed here.
Of the millions of Americans working abroad, I am confident that a significant percentage of this population made some effort to learn the language of the country they planned to work in.
To me, it’s pretty simple: if you’re going to a foreign country for an extended period of time, learn the native language.
