The English language-struggles, triumphs, and victory

Like many of you know I was born and raised in Iceland, came to the US in 1995. Before my journey here, I didn't know that much English, it took me a long time to read, write, and speak proper English, I'm not to say that my English is perfect, but I think I do a pretty damn good job. The school system in Iceland is very different than here in the US. In Iceland you graduate High School after 10th grade, cool huh. I graduated from High School in Iceland, should I have graduated, in my opinion, no. My grades were so bad, I'm surprised I learned anything. When my parents got married and we moved onto the military base in Iceland, When my dad registered me for school I didn't have enough credits to be a junior, so to my dismay I had to repeat 10th grade, which didn't make me feel good at all. I had to pay for my stupidity by being in class with people who are a year younger than me, but I made up for it. Being in a all American school was very hard for me my first year, I was basically grounded the whole year. My dad was really hard on me-which I'm truly grateful for. The teachers understood my circumstances and were really kind and helpful, really helped me pass with the credits I needed to be promoted. When I started my junior year at Oceanside High, I was ready as I was ever going to get. I manage to get good grades, with the help of my parents, their support and guidance. When I was a senior, my second semester I only needed two classes to get my diploma, but being the good student I was I took the full load, six classes. I also ran track my senior year, was in couple of school clubs. By the time for my graduation I earned few awards, I was on the honor roll, Athelete award, and principal award. It felt amazing that I've gotten that far from where I started. After high school, I got pregnant-that's a totally different story, but I manage to get two college degrees and half a masters :)which brings me to a little tiny thing that bugs the hell out of me, people not learning the English language. I have come with contact with various people that do not speak the language but is expecting us to learn their language. I feel that if your in America you should learn the damn language, I had to so why can't they.