What a great new law!!

[Umar001]

Here's a link: http://www.lifeintheuktest.gov.uk/htmlsite/background_10.html

Background to the test
Why has the test been introduced?
Becoming a British citizen or deciding to settle permanently in this country is an important event in your life. If you are applying for naturalisation as a British citizen or for indefinite leave to remain, you will need to show that you know about life in the UK. If you live in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you can do this in two ways: by taking the Life in the UK Test or by taking combined English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and citizenship classes.

Who has to take the test?
You should take the test if you are applying for naturalisation as a British citizen and your level of English is ESOL Entry 3 or above. If your level of English is lower than ESOL Entry 3 and you wish to apply for naturalisation, you will need to attend combined English language (ESOL) and citizenship classes instead. Most local further education or community colleges run these courses.

If you are applying for indefinite leave to remain on or after 1 April 2007, you will either need to take the test or attend combined English language and citizenship classes.

If you are unsure about whether you need to take the test, you can contact the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau on 0870 606 7766.

What are ESOL and citizenship classes?
ESOL and citizenship classes help you to improve your English and learn more about life in the UK. You can take these classes at your local further education or community college. To find out more about ESOL and citizenship classes, contact your local college, or call the Life in the UK Test Helpline on 0800 0154245.

How do I know what my level of English is?
If you are not sure what your level of English is, your local further education college or learndirect centre can give you an initial assessment. If you need help finding somewhere near you to take an initial assessment, then call the Life in the UK Test Helpline on 0800 0154245.

Is the test only available in English?
At present, the test is only available in English. If there is a demand, the test may be offered in Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. The test will not be made available in any other languages.

When do I take the test?
You should take the test before you apply for naturalisation as a British citizen, provided you meet all the other requirements for naturalisation. The Home Office website provides more information on how to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. If you pass the test, you are given a letter which proves you have been successful. This is called your pass notification letter. You will need to attach your pass notification letter to your filled-in citizenship application form and send both to the Home Office. The Home Office will retain the information it gets from test centres for a reasonable period. However, you should submit your application as soon as possible after taking the test.

From 1 April 2007, you will have to take the test before applying for indefinite leave to remain (settlement).

Where can I find out more information about the test?
This 'About the test' section of the website is designed to provide you with all the information you need about taking the test. If after reading this section you still have some questions, you can contact the Life in the UK Test Helpline on 0800 0154245 for more help.

If I were to ask these questions that are in the test to some of the most admant people who want this test put into law as it has, many of them would fail, let alone ordinary people I know.

 

[SilentObserver]

i think its discriminatory. What of people whoa re good assets 2an economy but just don't have the language to back them up, atleast in short term.. or for ppl who simply need help.

nothing wrong with insuring ppl learn the lingo... by putting language regulations n stuff... but to mate it a pre-req for entry. I think goes a bit too far.

I disagree. It is often an inconvienience, and at times it is more than an inconvienience when people don't know the language of the host country. Also, if you want to become a citizen, then you must be identified with the identity of the country. Clearly one of the first things that identifies and associates us with our country is language.
How can a person be identified with let us say Britain for example, if they do not speak english? How can they properly learn the customs and interact and integrate into society without communicating properly with the other members of that society?
I think this is a good law, and should be the norm for all countries. Along with social ettiquette, and culture courses and testing. If a person is going to be a burden on the society, then they should not be allowed to stay.

 

[SilentObserver]

I don't like it much either. I figure for some people it is a great idea, such as people who have to work, I mean, you can't work with people if you can't communicate with them.

At the same time, I don't see why such a law should be applied to the elderly who are just too old to care about a language and probably only moved to the country to live with their kids or something?

I mean people should really be given the choice, if they do not need to know the language, then why force them to learn it?

Old people that come to a new country should be wealthy to offset their costs of healthcare. Most people have earned the right to use the healthcare system exstensivly by the time they are old, by paying into it for many years. Moving there after you are already old puts an unfair burden on the people currently paying for the system.
Pay for your own healthcare, or use the system in your current country.

 

[SilentObserver]

Is the test only available in English?

HA! HA! HA! HUH!!? Can I take that english test in german please?!:haha: :lol:

(NOTE: SUMMAYAH did not ask this, it was in the source she provided.)

 

[Umar001]

Pay for your own healthcare, or use the system in your current country.

And if you've lived most of your life in a country which pays nuts for factory work (which probably helps the better countries because some of the companies in those better contries rent out factories and get people in the poor countries to work for less then pennies, so effectively by working there you are helping the better countries though some dont look at that), and have just somehow risked your life to get into a safe place where you are not under the shade of fear of rape and being killed, and/or are disabled because of your old age YOU BETTER FORGET COMING OVER UNLESS U CAN PAY YOUR WAY BUDDY!

Hmm, sounds excellent :X


By the way to those who are opposing that the language knowledge should be a something that the people know at the time of entry then my view is that the people once here should be given a time frame, a realistic one, where they can study and learn and then be tested, not that as soon as they touch the ground kabbam, first thing is a 20 minute test on english language, since if a person is fleeing another country because they fear their life then I doubt they'd have time to learn English there or get a 'such and such language to english dictionary'

HA! HA! HA! HUH!!? Can I take that english test in german please?!:haha: :lol:

(NOTE: SUMMAYAH did not ask this, it was in the source she provided.)

The test is not an english test, it is a test which touches upon the system in the Uk, such as parlament, or history.

People should know english, but maybe they feel more comfortable taking a test in their own language, since then they would feel confident and thus make less mistakes.

It is like someone asking may I please do my mathematics test in a different language, since the language does not effect the test, it is therefore not a 'Ha ha ha' matter.

 

[Woodrow]

Being a son of immigrants I gave this much thought before responding.

It is a poor and unneccessary law.


It only makes life more difficult for the legal immigrants and serves no purpose to curb the illegal immigrants. Legal immigrants already have sufficient incentive to learn the language to the best of their ability and as fast as they can.

A legal immigrant has come into a new country at great expense and risk. He comes with a dream and hope for a better life. He has left his homeland because of economic or political problems. The immigrant is usually well educated, has strong ambition and is a risk taker. For the most part legal immigrants will surpass the natives of the country they move into, because they come with the attitude of trying to change their lives and seek opportunity and not handouts. They will learn the language on their own, because it is a needed tool. A law requiring language proficiency is an insult to all legal immigrants.

 

[SilentObserver]

And if you've lived most of your life in a country which pays nuts for factory work (which probably helps the better countries because some of the companies in those better contries rent out factories and get people in the poor countries to work for less then pennies, so effectively by working there you are helping the better countries though some dont look at that), and have just somehow risked your life to get into a safe place where you are not under the shade of fear of rape and being killed, and/or are disabled because of your old age YOU BETTER FORGET COMING OVER UNLESS U CAN PAY YOUR WAY BUDDY!

Hmm, sounds excellent :X

Now you are talking about refugees, that is a different matter. The post I responded to talked about people immigrating to be near their kids. But just as a point, how many elderly people do you think suddenly have to make a dash for the border fearing for their lives, after having lived in their home country for so long?

By the way to those who are opposing that the language knowledge should be a something that the people know at the time of entry then my view is that the people once here should be given a time frame, a realistic one, where they can study and learn and then be tested, not that as soon as they touch the ground kabbam, first thing is a 20 minute test on english language, since if a person is fleeing another country because they fear their life then I doubt they'd have time to learn English there or get a 'such and such language to english dictionary'

An interesting view but I disagree. If you give them a time frame but let them stay, once they are rooted in it would be difficult to send them back. No, the best way is to test immediately. Any person planning on moving to another country would be foolish to not find out ahead of time what prerequisites are required to move there. They would have plenty of time to know about the language requirements and prepare for this.
Special provisions for refugees could exist under this system.

 

[England]

Better than nothing I guess but what should happen are the borders to close. We have too many immigrants here as it is. Another thing, I'm assuming these tests will be at the expense of tax payers...:rollseyes

 

[SilentObserver]

Being a son of immigrants I gave this much thought before responding.

It is a poor and unneccessary law.


It only makes life more difficult for the legal immigrants and serves no purpose to curb the illegal immigrants. Legal immigrants already have sufficient incentive to learn the language to the best of their ability and as fast as they can.

A legal immigrant has come into a new country at great expense and risk. He comes with a dream and hope for a better life. He has left his homeland because of economic or political problems. The immigrant is usually well educated, has strong ambition and is a risk taker. For the most part legal immigrants will surpass the natives of the country they move into, because they come with the attitude of trying to change their lives and seek opportunity and not handouts. They will learn the language on their own, because it is a needed tool. A law requiring language proficiency is an insult to all legal immigrants.

For the first immigrants of a certain culture this is true. Once a group is firmly establish in the host country in certain areas, this becomes less true. In my country there are huge problems with certain groups of immigrants. If they had been properly taught the culture and language, perhaps these problems would not have been so profound. They can hide in their neighborhoods, and many of the problems seem to stem from lack of communication and understanding.

 

[Umar001]

Better than nothing I guess but what should happen are the borders to close. We have too many immigrants here as it is. Another thing, I'm assuming these tests will be at the expense of tax payers...:rollseyes

I dont think so, from what I know the Life in the Uk test the person applyin has to pay themselves for each time the test is taken so am thinking the same would be for this.

 

[Lina]

Same here in Holland, people have to take the classes and tests in their homecountries and they have to pay for it themselves; classes; books; tests.

 

[lolwatever]

I disagree. It is often an inconvienience, and at times it is more than an inconvienience when people don't know the language of the host country. Also, if you want to become a citizen, then you must be identified with the identity of the country. Clearly one of the first things that identifies and associates us with our country is language.

says who?

and since when should people be judged by their language instead of their minds and character?

How can a person be identified with let us say Britain for example, if they do not speak english?

With their passports :rollseyes and in alot of cases the alst thing people care about is being identifeid as a britain or what not, some people come in depserate situations and simply need help. What, we reject them becasue they dont speak our language? Where's the humanity?

Why should language be given precedence over morals and behaviour.

How can they properly learn the customs and interact and integrate into society without communicating properly with the other members of that society?

Erm i'd rather a well behaved person who has no idea about my language be my neighbor rather than someone well spoken in english but with cactus behaviour.

Beign friendly doesn't depend on you knowing english.

I think this is a good law, and should be the norm for all countries. Along with social ettiquette, and culture courses and testing. If a person is going to be a burden on the society, then they should not be allowed to stay.

That's very discriminatory, so what's the difference between that and sahying 'i wont accept people without legs in my country'... 'coz they cant integrate and mix inw tih rest of society properly' :uuh:

 

[SUMMAYAH]

Better than nothing I guess but what should happen are the borders to close. We have too many immigrants here as it is. Another thing, I'm assuming these tests will be at the expense of tax payers...:rollseyes

I dont think so, from what I know the Life in the Uk test the person applyin has to pay themselves for each time the test is taken so am thinking the same would be for this.

In that case, tax payers money willed be saved because millions of pounds each year is already being used for the wages of bilingual translaters.

 

[SUMMAYAH]

Being a son of immigrants I gave this much thought before responding.

It is a poor and unneccessary law.


It only makes life more difficult for the legal immigrants and serves no purpose to curb the illegal immigrants. Legal immigrants already have sufficient incentive to learn the language to the best of their ability and as fast as they can.

A legal immigrant has come into a new country at great expense and risk. He comes with a dream and hope for a better life. He has left his homeland because of economic or political problems. The immigrant is usually well educated, has strong ambition and is a risk taker. For the most part legal immigrants will surpass the natives of the country they move into, because they come with the attitude of trying to change their lives and seek opportunity and not handouts. They will learn the language on their own, because it is a needed tool. A law requiring language proficiency is an insult to all legal immigrants.

Dear Woodrow
I believe this logic of thinking applies to our parents/grandparents who migrated in order to create a better future for us. They worked hard and really contributed to the society.

However I wouldn't brand the new generation in the same way. I have come across many young people in forign countries who's only desire to come to uk is so that they could enroll on the benefits system, in order to make easy money.

 

[Woodrow]

Dear Woodrow
I believe this logic of thinking applies to our parents/grandparents who migrated in order to create a better future for us. They worked hard and really contributed to the society.

However I wouldn't brand the new generation in the same way. I have come across many young people in forign countries who's only desire to come to uk is so that they could enroll on the benefits system, in order to make easy money.

I will agree that is a desire for many young. However, I doubt if many of them could ever fulfill that desire by legal means. It costs money to travel from any country to the UK. Plus there are time limitations and proof of financial responsability for visas to be granted. A legal immigrant is not likely to become a burdan, he/she will either be a temporary guest or will become a productive citizen.

The law will have no effect on stopping the illegal immigrants, who are the ones most likely to abuse the welfare system.

 

[SUMMAYAH]

I will agree that is a desire I doubt if many of them could ever fulfill that desire by legal means. It costs money to travel from any country to the UK. Plus there are time limitations and proof of financial responsability for visas to be granted.

I am guessing we are both referring to different groups of people.

I was basing my opinions upon those people who have come into this country through means of marriage.
I know numberous friends whose family tradition is to marry spouses from their parents homeland. In these very cases the partner from abroad does not need any financial means to immigrate. The sole responsibility is taken by the party in uk. And this is right down to signing of legal documents that agree to providing for this person with aid of their current employment. (here proof of wage slips is shown to the home office)

 

[Woodrow]

I tend to forget that immigration laws are probably different in the UK then they are here in the US.

Here we do not have any problems with legal immigrants. But, our trouble with illegal immigrants is a national disaster. Each of out countries probably have different issues of concern with regards to immigrants.

But, I still feel that proof of language proficiency, while desirable, should not be a criteria for citizenship. It is belittling to those who migrate for legitimate reasons.

 

[SUMMAYAH]

I tend to forget that immigration laws are probably different in the UK then they are here in the US.

I actually respect people that immigrate to America in search of a better future. I believe they will be probably working quite hard and showing a vast amount of commitment. Mainly because you can't 'get it on a plate' there.

 

[Woodrow]

I actually respect people that immigrate to America in search of a better future. I believe they will be probably working quite hard and showing a vast amount of commitment. Mainly because you can't 'get it on a plate' there.

Mainly because you can't 'get it on a plate' there.

Legal immigrants can't. But the illegal ones not only get it served on a plate. They get their choice of menu and the rest of us have to do the dishes.

Many people believe the streets in America are paved in gold. When my family got here they found out that the streets were not paved in gold. In fact the streets were not even paved and furthermore my family was expected to pave the streets.

 

[SUMMAYAH]

Legal immigrants can't. But the illegal ones not only get it served on a plate. They get their choice of menu and the rest of us have to do the dishes.

Many people believe the streets in America are paved in gold. When my family got here they found out that the streets were not paved in gold. In fact the streets were not even paved and furthermore my family was expected to pave the streets.

edit!