This I totally agree on. Before I immigrated to this country I had to take 3 English tests that were pre-requisites to process my green card. They were the Test of English for Foreign Language (TOEFL), Test of English for Written Language (TWE), and Test of English for Spoken Language (TSE). And mind you these were not a cakewalk for I have met others who took these exams for the 11th time. So when in Rome, Do what the Romans do. Let them become proficient and have the commanding skill to learn the language before they become citizens of this Great Nation.
hmm, I did not have to take any English test to get my visa nor the permanent residence, I guess they assumed I already knew it... which I did, by the way.
I'm only waiting for the Spanish version of the citizenship exam which will be released by the end of the year...