If you don't speak English you can't belong in Britain

[Jazzy]

The inability to speak a host country’s language reinforces dangerous divisions in society – and it is a very reasonable requirement of any immigrant.



When the last Labour government introduced a requirement that immigrants who wished to marry a British citizen must learn English before coming to live here, it struck most people as a perfectly reasonable expectation. But that requirement is now being challenged in the High Court on two grounds. First, it is said to be racially discriminatory, because it impacts disproportionately on certain ethnic groups; and second, under the European Convention on Human Rights, it is said to obstruct the right to family life.



The case has been brought by Rashida Chapti, who wishes to bring her husband to the UK from India. Her barrister claims that the language requirement contravenes Article 8, the right to family life, and Article 12, the right to marry. Mrs Chapti is reported to have travelled back and forth between India and Leicester for about 15 years, but now wishes to settle here with her husband.



The Labour government planned to bring the requirement into force in July 2011, but it was brought forward to November 2010 by the Coalition. When Theresa May, the Home Secretary, announced her plans, she said: “I believe being able to speak English should be a pre-requisite for anyone who wants to settle here. The new English requirement for spouses will help promote integration, remove cultural barriers and protect public services.”



The requirement is not too exacting. Applicants will have to demonstrate English at “A1 level”, which requires them to demonstrate a basic command of conversational English, currently the same as the level required for skilled workers who have been offered a job in the UK.



Full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...speak-English-you-cant-belong-in-Britain.html



Question: Do you agree or disagree with this? Why or why not?

 

[seasidemike]

The case has been brought by Rashida Chapti...



well there is another feck'n surprise.

 

[Cranos]

People who wish to live in a country should be obligated to learn the language. There is no way you can find a decent job and integrate in society if you can't speak the language, it's as simple as that.

 

[seasidemike]

People who wish to live in a country should be obligated to learn the language. There is no way you can find a decent job and integrate in society if you can't speak the language, it's as simple as that.

I agree

 

[Chatsie]

If I wasn't prepared to at least try and learn the language of

another country, I wouldn't try to move there. As Cranos said,

how do you find work and integrate into a society if you can't

speak the language ? Assuming of course that you intend to

do either/both.

 

[Jazzy]

I wish the US would introduce this requirement. There are so many immigrants here and I run into them on a dialy basis. Most of them speak Spanish only. It's almost like I need to learn their language to be able to communicate with them. Something very wrong with that picture and I'm not about to learn Spanish. They are here in my country and therefore should be the ones learning the English language not the other way around.

 

[seasidemike]

Ya, can you imagine if all the early immigrants to the USA hung onto their languages?... it would be a mess, so why now do people expect everyone to accommodate them?



Political correctness is a joke and has gone too far.

 

[The Dragon Master]

[Sighs] Knowing the British Government, he'll be allowed to stay...



I also agree with what Cranos said.

 

[Evil Eye]

People who wish to live in a country should be obligated to learn the language. There is no way you can find a decent job and integrate in society if you can't speak the language, it's as simple as that.

This.

It only stands to reason...