Can anyone help me with this question?

Question

Many foreign countries teach and some even require students to study English. Why are students in America required to study English their own native language?

Answer 1

English is very complicated, in part because it has so many exceptions to the rules.  It is taught to Americans, and probably to kids in other English-speaking countries, so that people can better understand the rules and the exceptions.

I always thought most if not all countries taught the kids the native language and literature in that language.  Is this incorrect?  Do the Chinese not have Chinese class and the Germans not have German class, etc, etc.?