To think taxpayers shouldn't pay for people to learn English?

[angelos02]

£20 million to be spent on this. If you move to a country you ensure you can speak the language surely? It is being spent on female muslims not that I think this is relevant.

[Katenka]

Yabu.

But I don't think the 200,000 it's aimed at will take it up.

For a variety of reasons.

Surely it will save money on translators having to be brought in all the time.

I am not sure what effect it will have on extremism, though

[Alicewasinwonderland]

It is ridiculous.

If people are really willing to integrate, they should learn by themselves, there are enough resources and help in this country.

We also should cut on translation, or charge people for it. (or employ someone paid by their embassy). This is England. English is not exactly a rare and exotic language, you find English speakers all around the world, even in some very unsuspected places.

OP, you are definitively NOT BU.

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

And no British expat ever failed to learn the language of the country they moved to?

[OTheHugeManatee]

In principle you might be right, in that it's the duty of a migrant to a country to learn what they need in order to be able to get by. In practice though if there are intractable problems with particular groups refusing - or being prevented from - integration including learning the language then a government intervention is a good idea provided it delivers results.

[PaulAnkaTheDog]

Oh ffs... So what is your suggestion OP? People like you complain about people not integrating, then complain when help and support is given to those trying to integrate with society.

Please. Enlighten me with your plan.

[OTheHugeManatee]

I do agree with putting less effort into translation though. If you're bending over backwards to offer translation you are saying loud and clear that there is no obligation to learn English. That seems to have been public policy for some time and it's bad policy that helps to create the kinds of ghettos people are now worrying about. If this initiative is part of a change in that overall public policy that can only be a good thing.

[DropYourSword]

To think taxpayers shouldn't pay for people to learn English?

What about all those little people that go to primary and secondary school.

Say what you really mean, you're an ugly racist.

[Frostycake]

I think the problem is that Muslim women are not allowed to prepare to leave their country of origin, they are often just 'ordered to' by their husbands or wider family. often, they won't have access to any education of any kind, nor will they have access to the internet to self-learn.

If it helps them to integrate and get a better life then I'm all for it.

£20M is a drop in the ocean budget wise.

[maybebabybee]

If people are really willing to integrate, they should learn by themselves, there are enough resources and help in this country.

Are there? What are they then?

What about people fleeing political persecution or domestic violence? You're suggesting they should go out, in a strange country, and pay for private English lessons?

[Wolpertinger]

£20 million nationwide is pretty much peanuts.

And of course you've seen all those British expats who are fluent Spanish speakers haven't you

Have a

[LoTeQuiero]

I agree with you OP. I was pretty horrified when I read that this morning. I suppose when we see the NHS struggling so much it's hard not to make comparisons.

[treaclesoda]

Sounds like money well spent to me.

[treaclesoda]

Translation services cost the NHS a fortune, so it is likely to save the NHS money.

[Alicewasinwonderland]

DropYourSword

people can have a realistic opinion about immigration and integration without being racist. Maybe try to be a little bit less narrow-minded?

[maybebabybee]

alice please can you answer the question in my PP?

If people are really willing to integrate, they should learn by themselves, there are enough resources and help in this country.

Are there? What are they then?

What about people fleeing political persecution or domestic violence? You're suggesting they should go out, in a strange country, and pay for private English lessons?

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

you find English speakers all around the world, even in some very unsuspected places.

Well yes that's true. Partly because of Hollywood and pop music. And partly because the British Empire was run in English.

[januarybrown1998]

Drop, if any of those little people are yours, I really hope you're not teaching them to make unfounded accusations and resort to name-calling when they encounter people with a different opinion.

[WorraLiberty]

It's money well spent imo.

And in many boroughs (including mine) free English lessons have been taking place for years.

Many of the local schools hold lessons for non English speaking parents.

[MrsGradyOldLady]

I'm not really seeing the relevance of British ex pats in Spain? The question was should people in Britain learn English.

[LittleLionMansMummy]

I'm no fan of Cameron's. But even taking aside the issue of integration, this is about rights for women and relieving pressure on our public services. The amount of money that is spent on interpreters across public services is astronomical. How are these women supposed to tell a doctor that they're I'll or pregnant? How do they get a job and contribute to our economy? How do they approach the police and tell them they're suffering abuse? I personally think it will take more than £20m but is well worth the investment.

[ilovesooty]

maybe I'm awaiting the answer to that with interest too.

[megletthesecond]

Yabu. I get the impression some women in immigrant communities are isolated and vulnerable. We need to support them and give them a voice.

[Slimmingcrackers]

I think this is a terrific idea and I actually work for a charity (live in mainland Europe, not UK) that does this now.

Alicewasinwonderland there are many reasons why some Muslim woman would not take the initiative to do this on their own without support ie some of the women we look after have no family around them to take care of their small dc while they study, so we provide that resource.

Also, some Muslim women, for cultural reasons, or because they are lacking in confidence, do not go outside on their own without their husbands and a structured group setting can help to overcome this problem.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

MrsGrady
If British immigrants to Spain can't be bothered to learn Spanish then why are people criticising immigrants to Britain if they don't know much English.

Let's face it Ex Pat is just another word for immigrant.

[hippowithsuncreen]

I am a bit baffled by this 'new' announcement. Every area I have lived in (two cities, a large town and two villages) already does these courses and funded too.