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I have a friend from the USA who has been living in Arfmenia for the last 13 years and still he doesn't speak the language. Do you know why? Because people speak English better there and he has no need to learn the language.For me this is the main reason why English speakers don't speak foreign languages better than non-English speakers. Of course there can be exceptions.
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No I understand that, Harry.
There's no doubt in my mind that your friend never made the effort to learn the language because English is less of an hassle for him.
But my point is that your friend doesn't represent native English speakers as a whole. That's one person out milions of millions of native speakers.
I knew a guy here, in China, his Spanish was perfect. He was American and lived in New Mexico for most of his life.
But that doesn't mean anything as far as native English speakers are concerned. Statistically speaking, it's pretty much irrelevant.
I just don't think that your affirmation stands norm as far as native speakers are concerned. I just don't think it's true. But let's agree to disagree right?
