What are your thoughts about Australia introducing an English test for ALL prospective migrants?

Question

PRO's and CON's if possible please.

Answer 1

i think before giving citizenship English must be spoken & understood
when migrants arive here them must learn

Answer 2

While I agree with keith j (above) that it is *better* if you understand the language of a country you emigrate to, it is also true that many fine people have emigrated to Australia during the last century who did not know any English on arrival.

It is certainly easier for the host country to not have to provide brochures and signs in other laguages, or to consider the needs of people whose English skills are not good. And of course, for those migrating, it is useful to be able to order a hamburger easily.

I have two main concerns about using such a test to decide which migrants should be accepted.

The first is, that we will miss out on many fine immigrants who may become wonderful Australians but have not had the chance to learn English prior to their arrival.

The second is that the type of immigrant who has had the chance to learn English prior to arrival may be very similar ~ that is, they may come from a predominantly English speaking country, or have a certain type of education which gave them English language skills.

Part of the great success of Australia as a nation of immigrants has always been the diversity of the mix. If we lose that, we cannot be sure that we will not also lose whatever it is in 'the mix' which has made it such a success.

For the sake of easy hamburger ordering and saving a few cents on brochures printed in more than one language, is it worth it?

My view is no ... but then, I may be prejudiced because my grandparents came here with very limited language skills and our family is now full of people working and contributing to Australia in many diverse ways, all of them good for Australia, the economy and our community ~ a situation I have seen a lot of over the years in many immigrant families.

Cheers :-)

Answer 3

If someone wants to live in Australia, I think learning some English should be part of their preparation before arrival - it will make integration so much simpler for them. And nowadays, very many foreign countries teach English anyway, so a usable level should be within everyone's reach. I'm not saying to keep keep people out because English isn't their native tongue, just that prospective migrants should prepare in advance

Answer 4

I do NOT think that that people should NOT have to pass an English test in order to enter Australia .. I DO however think that once here assistance should be given to be in order that they can learn English....

As others have written .. we would run the risk of not gaining some wonderful people...

there is NO guarantee that just because a person comes here speaking English well enough to pass a test that we will be getting the very best citizens... I have worked with and for people who have learnt english AFTER they arrived here ... and I can honestly say that I learnt so many things from them....and language was NOT a barrier.

Answer 5

Well, I guess all I can say is that 90 to 95 % of all English immigrants and convicts who populated this place in the first place would have failed that test. These include the forebears of such notaries as JW Howard as well as a good three quarters of my ancestors! (Irish, Germans & English alike)

It's a farce to suggest everyone who comes here should speak the language immediately. The 'wogs' of the 1950's and 60's were the engine room of the greatest economic boom we've had, the Vietnamese of the 1970's and 80's were the most industrious members of our society.

There was very little English spoken amongst these people at first and that's exactly what drove them to be successful! They wanted their children to have it better than them!

Do we want a country that grows up like John Howard and Bronwyn Bishop or do we want one that grows up like Australia?

Answer 6

It should be compulsory for prospective migrants to know enough English to get by before they are allowed to come here.
In recent years a family from a non English speaking country had one of their children extremely ill and because of their lack of English, the child died because they couldn't ask for help.
Many Asian families migrate here and then sponser their parents and often the parents make no attempt to learn the language because they expect their younger family to sort things out for them.
Can you imagine how frustrating it must be for Doctors and Nurses who have to deal with a person who has no grasp of English whatsoever, they can't ask them what symptons they have or explain to them how to take medication.
Even when I travel for a holiday oversea's, I make an effort to learn at least the basic words of the language, even if it's just greetings and Please and Thank you, it is the polite and well mannered thing to do.

Answer 7

No migrant to Australia should be expected to speak English when they arrive. Australia has a fine tradition of accepting migrants from all over the world, many of whom could not speak English on arrival. It is expected that they will learn English and they will need to speak English to become an Australian citizen but we must never close the doors on migrants who do not speak English when they arrive.

Answer 8

I think it would leed to trouble, For Example Philipinos, South Africans etc would have a much bigger advantage than Thai ,and many other Nationalities that dont speak English,,
Germany and I think other Euro countries have recently brought in this rule,, Its to stop the flood of migrants from war torn countries,,, Better to get people to assimulate and learn the culture befor the Language

Answer 9

i think of it is in straight forward terms an basic gimmick that'll make existence somewhat awkward for persons and price a load of money. after all, for a while there have already been language and citizenship standards while human beings be conscious to settle completely, as an occasion after 2 years of being married right here; it is of course going to be less difficult to income the language once you're interior the country than once you're returned residing house: i'm particular we've all discovered that having to apply a language while in another country is lots diverse from even though we learnt in college. i think of there is too little attractiveness of the reality that maximum immigrants make vast efforts to income English (it is of course of their very own pastimes). additionally, monoglot Brits now and returned don't rejoice with that what they perceive as broken English continues to be normally at a point they could by no potential dream of reaching with the French they learnt in college. on the completed, I believe woman Moon's comments approximately translation amenities, they're normally an basic thank you to tick the main suitable packing boxes without actual enticing with the provider customers, and that i genuinely agree approximately ex-pats: in Spain I met Brits who have been happy with no longer speaking Spanish.

Answer 10

Yes, they should be able to speak basic English - this helps them assimilate much easier and they are more employable, creating less stress on them and Australia. It makes sense for them to speak the language of the country they're moving to!

Answer 11

Suppose for one moment you were to travel to a foreign country.
Could you speak the language ?
Get a job ?
Order take away ?
Chat with your neighbours / co-workers ?
Or be a fish out of water without a clue what was going on around you ?
Better if you understood the language.