In practice, if you are going to be part of a society the most basic aspect of that is communication.
Learn the language.
There is no excuse for not working on that from the moment you arrive until you can do so conversationally.

My point is some older people have difficulty learning a new language. Sometimes it's impossible for whatever reason. I don't think this is a good situation, but I think it's reality.

Does this mean I get to give a boot to all the Brits who have lived here for years and years but still don't speak properly? ;)

On children:

An interesting thing we've noticed, living in a heavily Latino area, is that the kids don't like being different, so tend to refuse to speak their parents' language more often than not. It depends on the child, of course, but that is generally true. They want to fit in and sound like the majority around them.

A good friend's mom has been here 23 years and I could not really communicate with her at all. Part of it is intimidation on her part and then living in a Latino area, there just isn't a whole lot of English being used. She now works in a daycare and is learning with the kids, but not because she HAS to.

They just have to keep working at it... not trying is not an option.

Maybe they do try. How do you know they don't?

I live in FL.
There is a culture here of separatism, prideful separatism.

Well that's a shame.