Todays proposal from the Government.
2007-02-20 19:40:20 · 16 answers · asked by Ian L 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
it depends if they are econmic migrants, coming here to work using the skills they have, or if they are Assylum Seekers who are just trying to stay alive...
In the former case, I would say yes, otherwise how are they going to work?
In the latter case, I would say they do not need to be able to speak English, but it would be helpful to their case for staying long term if they make the effor to learn ands integrate into society...
2007-02-21 04:09:35 · answer #1 · answered by Our Man In Bananas 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In a word, no. And it's immigrants, not immagrants. There are 25 countries in the EC and immigants may be going to live in countries where English isn't spoken, like Germany, Sweden, Latvia or Hungary. Why should they want to learn English when they are already having to learn German, Swedish, Latvian or Hungarian.
Besides, English is only the third most spoken mother tongue language in the EC behind French and German.
2007-02-21 03:50:05 · answer #2 · answered by Stealthbong 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Most of you are so thick it is just not true.
Last summer I spent a few weeks in the Dordogne in central France where 40,000 English people have retired.
The locals have started to call it Dordogneshire.
Hardly any of those that I met spoke French. The local newspaper even sold an English version.
If these people and all of the rest were thrown out of France/Spain for not speaking French/Spanish our NHS would really be overstretched.
Around a Quarter million people leave the UK each year and they do not have another language.
Why don't you lot get an education and do a bit of travelling.
By the way I think that it should be compulsory for people that are born here in UK to speak English and this is not the case.
Most of those that moan cannot speak English properly themselves and if they can they cannot be understood because of bad accents. In the USA they need subtitles for British films.
2007-02-21 04:18:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋
Any person coming to live and work in the UK - whether they are from the EU or from outside it - should have to speak English.
It makes it harder to find work if you can't speak the local language and the children really suffer. They have to attend local schools where they can't understand the teacher and they find it hard to mix with other children.
Maybe compulsary English classes are required for people entering the country that intend to stay. It would certainly make it easier for the people and would save money later.
2007-02-21 03:57:42 · answer #4 · answered by sweetcandytoffee 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Not all the countries in the EU speak English!! if we are going that route then should they not all be able to speak German, French, Spanish, Dutch etc!! The list is endless.
2007-02-21 03:49:20 · answer #5 · answered by Christine 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, a common language is the glue that holds a nation together- multiple langauges and failure to assimilate were some of the reasons that Rome fell apart.
2007-02-21 03:56:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Yes.
But stuff that, they should tighten immigration laws and stop letting any more asylum seekers in etc. We're only a small island in the middle of the North Sea ffs, how many more people can we possibly take in the next century?!
2007-02-21 03:47:14 · answer #7 · answered by Mum-Ra 5 · 4⤊ 3⤋
They should be. If they want to. And are capable. Otherwise, I kind of like listening to people speaking French.
2007-02-21 03:46:58 · answer #8 · answered by rayhanks2260 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
That would be a populist statement. Unless we leave the EU there's not much can be done.
2007-02-21 03:44:07 · answer #9 · answered by Barbara Doll to you 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
IMO yes definatly. I also think they should do 2 years national service to prove they will be loyal to our country before being allowed in.
2007-02-21 03:47:45 · answer #10 · answered by sambucaman 3 · 4⤊ 3⤋