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

shnorkings

Yes, I do. I will not even go on holiday to a country were I cannot speak the language of the country. i think it is only manners to be able to speak the language of your host country.

Eve

Yes, definitely. Unlike other languages, there shouldn't be a problem to learn English anywhere in the world and it shows a desire to integrate into the culture.

SMABZ1

yes deffo

exile

yes they should and they should learn to live by our values and culture too, i also think that it should be a lot harder for them to get a uk passport as the goverment seem to issue them to anyone nowadays.

Hard Ride

Bloody right.

karlrogers2001

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.

Kat D

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.

deadly

It would be helpful for them and us.

\

yes if they are coming for a living. but if they r tourists they dont need to learn english. like most british people dont speak any other language than english but they are all over the world!!!!!

Groovy_Chick19

I think that it is important to assimilate into the new culture and I do not believe that this can be achieved if the immigrant does not attempt to learn the language.

Lulu T

Yes, along with a full clean bill of health and sponsorship

applespider

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.........

Scud

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..

michael k

If you ever decide to live in Russia,i hope you learn the language before you go.Fair enough?

yazzskh

I think some knowledge would be beneficial as commnication is really important. Not speaking english would cause difficlties and having to provide interpreters costs money and time.

Jadis

Maybe not before, but definitely after. Why move to another country if you don't want to learn the language? If all they want to do is create another little (wherever-they-came-from) in the UK, why are they moving there in the first place? I think refusal to assimilate into the country one is CHOOSING to live in is outrageous.

Wanda - you really need to accept reality and move on.

sarah c

And all British people should have to learn the language before they emigrate.

LadyMoonlight!!

It would help.

But really I think they should only be allowed to come here if they can prove they are bringing a skill or filling a job that cannot be filled from within the people already living here.

Karen

Preferably yes. Immigrants to Britain have been given British passports and can vote. If a country is gracious enough to give you a passport at least learn their language

Social Science Lady

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.

hakuna matata

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.

Fientje

If they want to live there ...Yes !
One should respect the language of the country .
If it's just traveling , that's a different story .
Go to Belgium , you need 2 languages there ...French and Dutch .
How's that ???

jud_eyeknight

" When In Rome , Do As The Romans "..........

angie

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.

garrye

I think some basic grasp of english should be mandatory as it shows a level of willingness to integrate and fit in.

california gurlie poo

no cuz we dont have to speak spanish to get into mexico.

siervocal

Same excuse as Americans. At least in my country, USA, I think they should learn English while being in the country, not before they enter it. If they try to learn it in their home country it will be fifteen years before they learn how to speak it like a person who's been here for one. It's a lot easier to learn the language when you're sourrounded by it.

bringmesunshine is back!!!

Brits don't necessarily speak Spanish when they emigrate to Spain, do they?

aholmes12003

if they come here to live then yeah but if they haven't came here to live then no.

t d

No, but they should be encouraged to learn once they're here.

Pat D

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.

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