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| Britain |
| Government commission backs language tests for migrants |
| 2007-02-21 |
| Spouses hoping to migrate to the UK should face English language tests before being allowed to join their partners, a commission advising the Government has suggested. The commission on integration and cohesion, set up by Ruth Kelly, the communities secretary, last summer, said language is the single largest barrier to community relations. It suggested that translation services for migrants could be scaled back in order to prevent newcomers relying on them as a "crutch" which means they never have to learn English. In its interim report, it addressed whether enough is being done to integrate foreign migrant workers and spouses into British society. Darra Singh, chairman of the commission, said: "If you can't speak English - whether you are a new migrant or someone who has lived here for years - you are on a path to isolation and separation. It is less of a problem for second, third, fourth generations. Language support offered to spouses from abroad is therefore of real interest - should we be asking whether they should speak English before they get here?" He said that while learning English is the responsibility of the individual, local and central government and employers should help. "Translation should never be a substitute for learning English in the first place," he said. "Just as mastering reading and writing for school children opens up the rest of the curriculum, mastering English opens up participation in British society and accessing employment." The Commission's final report is to be presented to Ms Kelly in June. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Wow! Sounds like someone hit Ms. Kelly with a cluebat! She's actually making sense! |
| Posted by: mac 2007-02-21 08:18 |