You wrote that you had the option of learning another language, not that you actually did.
I fully understood your statement on the most important countries in the world, so let me rephrase: had to laugh at the idea that there might be people thinking that the UK is the second most important country in the world.
Lads: I'm not disputing the fact that it's more difficult for you to get a job outside the UK & Ireland than for 'continentals' to get one in Europe as a whole. I guess having the Alpha-language for a mother tongue is both a blessing and a curse (at least you get an automatic ELP-6...).