English language requirement

[Silver_Shiney]

I see CMD has today announced that Muslim women must learn how to speak English otherwise they may be deported after two years. While I think it essential for immigrants to get the best of out living here, I am dismayed that he has singled out Muslim women. A young Chinese girl who worked for me many years ago spoke fluent English, yet her mother, who had lived in the UK for 25 years, could barely say "please" and "hello". Why is the PM picking on one group to the exclusion of other immigrants? Is this not racism?

[mavismumakrill]

i think he has made a big mistake with this statement about muslims. what he should have been saying is anyone coming to live in this country must learn to speak the language and also to learn to abide by our laws and our traditions as well. now why should it make a difference that a polish person comes over here and doesn't speak english and cameron thinks that is alright. there should be one rule for all incomers and it should be that they integrate with our people using our language and values etc.... can we not have cameron prosecuted for racism??????

mavis x

[oldbluefox]

It could certainly be construed as such but it is too late for the situation we have. By now we have areas of the country where a foreign culture exists and English is the second language,
I was absolutely shocked when I heard how much is spent in the NHS and the judiciary on translation services, money which could be better spent elsewhere. Maybe this could be cut which would provide an incentive for any migrants to this country to learn the native tongue. Sometimes I think we are simply seen as a soft touch and integration will never occur whilst we try to be all things to all men.

[Raybosailor]

Sounds like Cameron has been out drinking with Farage, you would have thought he would at least sober up before making statements.

One rule for one and another rule for another, our nephew has a wife from Thailand and it took him 18 months to get her into Britain after they were married. She had to have a medical and pass an exam in both oral and written English and our Jim had to have a background and financial checks to prove he could support her and she still doesn't have a full entry visa.
The couple came to our house on New Years Eve and I was surprised how well she communicated with people and she is in full time employment but Jim said that he is still nervous about her temporary status.
To be honest I think I might have upset my nephew when I said that I applaud the government for making things tough for foreigners to get into our country but this latest statement amazes me.

Like others have said if you come to our country you should be able to communicate in our language and abide by our laws and customs.

[Quizzical Bob]

He hasn't singled out Muslim women. He just hasn't mentioned all the others.

[Onelife]

Hi Mr Shiney....as you say those coming to the UK will be required to learn English or face deportation after two years. Those already living in the UK will be given the opportunity to learn English but won't face deportation..

It may be the case that Cameron has singled out Muslim women because he believes other nationalities do try and speak the English language which on the whole is the way l see things, whereas none westernised Muslim women are actively discuraged from speaking the native tongue mostly due to the male dominated oppressive culture in which they live.

I'm not going to knock slimy Cameron for trying what seems to be a sensible approach but as we have seen in the past his good intentions generally end up costing this country millions which will be the case when he tries to administer the 2 year deportation rule.

As always OBF you are spot on with all that you say.

[Manoverboard]

It does have the makings of a sensible idea ... perhaps.

If these ladies live in areas where there is friction with the English speaking locals then it would surely help their cause if they could speaka-de-lingo rather than needing to mumble in their Mother tongue, thus presenting a slightly threatening stance to those whom they come in contact with.

Speaking English, if their husbands were to allow it, would also help them to bring their individual life styles into the 21st Century of course.

[qbman1]

Que ?

[Stephen]

Perhaps the money would be better spent teaching the British here to speak English correctly first. Innit

Wot do yar fink.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I think it has the makings of a sensible idea that maybe has been sloppily delivered or sloppily reported.

When I worked in the health service a fortune was spent on translating stuff into different languages and on the provision of interpreters. That experience and cost is repeated throughout public services. And yes it was often the older women who did not speak English and indeed often translations were wasted because they could not read in their own language either.

I'm sure it's a cultural difference which will disappear over time and I always thought then it would be more cost effective to provide English language lessons to all who wished to live here (native or not Stephen!)

So with the added element of trying to empower women to fight extremism and radicalisation of their children I can see where he's coming from.

[Stephen]

A prime example.

I just carried out an online quote for home insurance. Within 5 minutes of completing the form I had some Northerner from the company on the phone chasing up the quote. Could hardly understand a word he said.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I do sometimes wonder how they choose the people to man call centres. Never mind nationality or accent, half of them mumble.

[Silver_Shiney]

I think it has the makings of a sensible idea that maybe has been sloppily delivered or sloppily reported.

When I worked in the health service a fortune was spent on translating stuff into different languages and on the provision of interpreters. That experience and cost is repeated throughout public services. And yes it was often the older women who did not speak English and indeed often translations were wasted because they could not read in their own language either.

I'm sure it's a cultural difference which will disappear over time and I always thought then it would be more cost effective to provide English language lessons to all who wished to live here (native or not Stephen!)

So with the added element of trying to empower women to fight extremism and radicalisation of their children I can see where he's coming from.

I understand where he's coming from, too, and am in agreement with the general idea, but not the way it's been presented by picking on Muslim women. We're becoming a country of ghettos, I fear.

[Silver_Shiney]

He hasn't singled out Muslim women. He just hasn't mentioned all the others.

spoken like a true politician

[barney]

We have a lovely Polish family next door, who are very well educated and their English is immaculate.

However, Granny lives with them to look after the children and her English is virtually nonexistant

She has lived in the UK for at least six years because that's how long the family have lived next door.

A smile and a good morning is all about she can muster.
Seems strange to me that she's not made the effort because the grandchildren often convers in English so she doesn't know what they are saying.

[Mervyn and Trish]

To put the boot on the other foot, I'm not great at languages. I can do a bit of French which I learned at school, but still struggle. I can say please, thank you and a few basics in Portugese, because we go to Madeira twice a year. But their English is so good I never progress. However, if I was going to live abroad I would want to learn the language because I know I'd feel isolated if I didn't.

[Raybosailor]

A prime example.

I just carried out an online quote for home insurance. Within 5 minutes of completing the form I had some Northerner from the company on the phone chasing up the quote. Could hardly understand a word he said.

Berra gerra northern lingo book then mi owd duck

[qbman1]

I do sometimes wonder how they choose the people to man call centres. Never mind nationality or accent, half of them mumble.

Simples - they're cheap !!

[Stephen]

A prime example.

I just carried out an online quote for home insurance. Within 5 minutes of completing the form I had some Northerner from the company on the phone chasing up the quote. Could hardly understand a word he said.

Berra gerra northern lingo book then mi owd duck

Cheaper to just say BOG OFF

[Keechy]

Our daughter-in-law is Romanian and she speaks fluent English without much of a accent. She also speaks fluent Spanish and gets by with German and Italian! Some people just have a gift for learning other languages - I try but would struggle to hold a conversation in Spanish, French or German but I can often understand what's being said.

When it comes to our 5 year old grandson, DIL speaks to him in both Romanian and English while our son often speaks to him in German. His school has said that he is behind with his English but we don't have a problem with him.

I hope Stephen can understand this as it was written north of Watford!

[Mervyn and Trish]

I think we are spoiled and disadvantaged at the same time in this country because so many other nationals can speak English. We are spoiled because that means we can get by in many parts of the world with our own language. On the other hand we are disadvantaged because there is no other European language so widely known, so if we want to converse in other tongues we have to learn several. Foreign nationals only need to learn one - English - and they, like us, can be widely understood.

[qbman1]

It could be partly because most European nations teach English in schools almost from day one, whereas in England we hardly bother to teach our own children English let alone any other language !

[Mervyn and Trish]

I'm sure that's it Cubie. But the decision is easy for them - English or Mandarin Chinese.

But for us what should we learn? We learned French at school but it's not a lot of use anywhere other than France or their former colonies.

[Quizzical Bob]

French is the language of diplomacy. I have spoken it in various parts of the world, in particular Canada.

Mind you, I also speak German, Spanish, Italian and some Danish. I love languages and being able to have a few words with the locals and immerse myself in some of their culture.

I'd like to get to know Russian, Mandarin and Arabic but as they used to say at school,

Ars longa, vita brevis.

[Mervyn and Trish]

But less use than English, the international language of air traffic control