I was talking to one of the kids at the camp I was on a couple of weeks ago. I remembered that the previous year he had spoken in tongues and asked him about it.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
Speaking in tongues is but one of the spiritual gifts. If you pray to God and ask Him for this gift and He wants you to have it, He will give it to you. Michael, who had spoken in tongues, was a little scared about it. He was praying with a man called Simon. (Simon was also the man through whom God delivered His sign to me). He said it was an incredible experience. He did not know what he was saying, nor did he have control over what he was saying. Myself, I am slightly freaked out by the prospect of not being in control and have therefore never prayed for the gift of tongues.