do you think that immigrants coming into the UK should be able to speak English before they enter the country?

Answer 1

I am an immigrant. Yes, they should. They should be encouraged to participate fully in society and not create a ghetto, a new neighbourhood imitating or replicating their country of origin. I don't mean they should forget where they are coming from, their culture, because that enriches everyone. But if they have made a choice to come here - for whatever reason, then they should be required to minimally know the language (English, or Welsh!) and this will enable them to further participate in civic, political and cultural environments, not to mention contribute to society and education. However, unlike other countries, the United Kingdom has never "declared" an "official language", and that could be one of the problems that legally is a barrier to introducing this as mandatory. English is a "de facto" commonly spoken language (by 95% of the population), and not the official language - legally there is a difference.

Answer 2

Some people seem to be mixing entering the country with getting citizenship.

People inside the EU can come over to work and live in this country, but will not be able to claim benefits and NHS treatment for a while. They do not become British or get a passport. People from outside the EU can apply for visas to live and work in this country, they will then need to renew this at intervals. If they cannot hold down a job because they cannot speak English, they are unlikely to be granted a visa. People seeking asylum are generally granted indefinite leave to remain after prolonged investigation of their claim. Genuine victims of torture are often too traumatised to demonstrate their knowledge of English, and find it difficult to integrate enough to learn well until they are secure.

In order to get a passport and become British, foreigners (inside and outside the EU) have to pass an exam called the "Life in the UK Test". This is all in English, and 80% is the pass mark. So it is actually pretty difficult to become British without speaking English.

Answer 3

No. But it would be a good idea for them to learn English once they are in the UK. It should be up to them if they do. If the UK is supposed to be a free country then it is none of the government's business which language you speak. If immigrants do not bother anyone else why can't people just let them be!

I think that British people should be more concerned about the poor quality of education for large numbers of British school children.

Focus on the real cause of the problems in the UK: governmental failed policies and corruption.

Answer 4

If they are emigrating here, they should at least have a basic command of the English language, as they would need to speak the language if they want to get jobs, and to be able to communicate with the English speaking people who live here. If you know you are moving to Spain for arguments sake, you would surely learn a little Spanish so that you could get by with day to day communication for your needs.? If they are just visiting or here just for a short stay then I would say that they would not be required to speak English as there would still be people with whom they could communicate with if need be.

Answer 5

If they are planning to live in the uk then they should make an effort to learn the language when they arrive.

In my job (Banker) it creates huge problems when potential clients do not understand the terms and conditions etc or can not communicate there needs or problems. If they bring an interpreter we have no way of knowing if the information is being correctly interpreted or if they are acting under duress (?Spelling).

I would never consider living in a country where i could not communicate in the local language.

Answer 6

i don't know - do you think UK nationals who emigrate to non English speaking countries as ex-pats should be able to speak that country's language before they enter that country?

what about the great numbers of UK nationals with literacy & numeracy deficits - should they be allowed to stay in the UK?

do immigrants coming into the UK have the luxury of time (or choice) to learn English prior to leaving their own country?

sometimes we need to walk a mile in another man's moccasin's.........

Answer 7

yes think most immigrants that come to this country can speak some English to get by they just pretend they cant we are the only country that doesn't have to learn another language how arrogant is that or lucky

Answer 8

Most Ex-Pats learn (or try to) the local lingo when they move abroad..some even learn the Aussie accent LOL, no but seriously, if they want to live here learn the basics, But a lot of folk can speak English in a fashion, they adapt, they have to..
I have lived abroad, Spain, Greece, Cyprus,France, UAE, & Germany and I learned the basics of each..a lot of my mates can speak fluent in the country that they live, Just by listening, and asking "what does that mean?"
PS, Any one remember the TV show "Mind Your Language", good in its day..quite funny..

Answer 9

Most other countries will only accept immigrants if they have `key` jobs,and they can contribute to the country. Part of their acceptance here should be compulsory attendance to English language lessons. They should also be returned from whence they came, if they commit a serious crime.

Answer 10

Yes. Spain should deport the 1.2 million British in Spain if they cannot speak Spanish, Bulgaria the 83,000 who cannot speak Bulgarian, Thailand the 314,000 who cannot speak Thai, the 844,000 who don't speak with a Brooklyn accent should be sent back from the US, not forgetting the 1.7m in Oz and NZ and all the other British diaspora who live`abroad should be sent back if they don't learn the lingo.