English language requirement

[Mervyn and Trish]

Agreed 100%. I think that's very different from a two week holiday situation. Despite my lack of natural ability with languages if I were to live abroad I would want to master the language.

[qbman1]

I can't think of many other countries where you could live for 20 years and hardly speak a word of the language !

[oldbluefox]

I read in today's paper where Gloucestershire Constabulary have spent £100,000 a year on translators mainly for Polish immigrants. If you get into trouble with the law in other countries I wonder if you get free translators over there. I could think of better ways of spending £100k. It's time we stopped pussy footing around.
Mind you I find it difficult to understand the Gloucestershire accent myself!!!

[Dark Knight]

I do wonder if it would improve the situation, if all benefit claim forms and any other free hand out form, was only written in English and the applicant was not allowed a translator?
I suspect people would learn English a tad quicker, also any entry visa should be in English and also passing an o level English exam before being granted entry to live and work or before being granted citizenship should also be compulsory
and before anyone goes off on one about the standard of English taught or the fact that most under 25's cant speak English properly, that doesn't matter a jot, they are English and don't need to apply for citizenship, etc that said there may be a Draconian case for deny any benefits to anyone who cant fill in the forms without help and only giving benefits to those that actually need help rather than sponging baby making machines and lazy gits who just can't be arsed to work

just a thought

[Happydays]

I do wonder if it would improve the situation, if all benefit claim forms and any other free hand out form, was only written in English and the applicant was not allowed a translator?
I suspect people would learn English a tad quicker, also any entry visa should be in English and also passing an o level English exam before being granted entry to live and work or before being granted citizenship should also be compulsory
and before anyone goes off on one about the standard of English taught or the fact that most under 25's cant speak English properly, that doesn't matter a jot, they are English and don't need to apply for citizenship, etc that said there may be a Draconian case for deny any benefits to anyone who cant fill in the forms without help and only giving benefits to those that actually need help rather than sponging baby making machines and lazy gits who just can't be arsed to work

just a thought

I agree with you

[Mervyn and Trish]

I do wonder if it would improve the situation, if all benefit claim forms and any other free hand out form, was only written in English and the applicant was not allowed a translator?
I suspect people would learn English a tad quicker, also any entry visa should be in English and also passing an o level English exam before being granted entry to live and work or before being granted citizenship should also be compulsory
and before anyone goes off on one about the standard of English taught or the fact that most under 25's cant speak English properly, that doesn't matter a jot, they are English and don't need to apply for citizenship, etc that said there may be a Draconian case for deny any benefits to anyone who cant fill in the forms without help and only giving benefits to those that actually need help rather than sponging baby making machines and lazy gits who just can't be arsed to work

just a thought

Crikey you've gone all Liberal

[Silver_Shiney]

Last time I looked, Australia's national language was English, yet when my SIL, who is a very well-spoken Scot with a St Andrews 1st class degree in classics and has passed pretty much every banking exam going, applied for a Ozzie residency visa, he still had to sit an English comprehension exam. If it's acceptable for them to have the test as PART of their entry requirements, why on earth can't this country do the same?

[Mervyn and Trish]

Probably because of Human Rights, one of the joys of Europe. Under which I don't have the right to be treated by a doctor fluent in English. Potentially killing me.

[Silver_Shiney]

Probably because of Human Rights, one of the joys of Europe. Under which I don't have the right to be treated by a doctor fluent in English. Potentially killing me.

Ah, but you do enjoy the new-found right to be killed by bureaucracy and professional incompetence...