Citizenship

[eldar]

So the UK is to get a Citizenship Test. This strikes me as a good idea, except for one thing. It's not going to prevent employers from giving jobs to people whose grasp of the English language is a little on the suspect side. Now in jobs where the employee doesn't have to do much talking, this isn't really a problem. It's when communication comes into play that I have issues. The thing is, there's so much 'positive discrimination' about that its deemed politically incorrect not to give jobs to people who can't spreche la lingo. If I go into a shop and ask for something, I expect to be understood. If I'm on the 'phone, I expect to be understood. I am a fluent English speaker, and, quite reasonably given that the majority of inhabitants of this country are also fluent English speakers, I expect to deal with a fluent English speaker when I'm carrying out a transaction that involves spoken communication (within this country, of course).
So, indeed, whilst a Citizenship Test might well help those immigrants who are willing to work hard and integrate themselves, it's not going to be of benefit to those who've got in, got a job, and are confusing and annoying the heck out of Joe Public because they don't understand what he's saying.

Comments

[verlaine.livejournal.com]

Whaaat! If everyone who worked for the NHS could speak fluent English, that'd be the one virtue that I do have when compared to other secretaries in the Trust gone. The one thing that makes anyone sort of like me working for them at all! It'd be a disaster!