Cicero, Your English is very good! I could come and live there for years and never speak Italian as well as you speak English. We Americans do have languages classes in school, but most of the time it is just for credits. I am not sure, but it may even be a requirement for college. Most people can't go and speak the language they studied. My son was a French student, and a very good one. He was given 2 semesters credit when he started college because he was able to pass oral tests. He later dropped out, because his counselor told him he would never make a living with his French. Now, lo these many years later, anyone who has more than one language is in great demand. But you have to speak it with others, often, to get really fluent, I think. I wish all my Spanish speaking friends would speak it at home with their children. My husband spoke Italian as a child, but can only remember a little of it now. Too bad! Teach your children! I have met some Europeans who speak many languages. I think that is wonderful. About crosswords, I am not as I could be, because I can't spell that good, and there is no "spell check" to help me! :) Carlina