So now the Liberals want migrants to pass an English test.

[i-need-a-martini]

Mr Morrison said the English language and jobs for immigrants, not festivals, were the keys to ensuring Australia's prosperity and unity. Australia needed more than a one-off snapshot of immigrants' English proficiency and follow-up tests could ensure language skills did not remain static.

With a big shift from permanent immigration to temporary visas, Mr Morrison said: ''There is a great opportunity to have a series of barriers, if you like - a temporary entry [test], a permanent residence and potentially even citizenship, if people want to have that conversation.'' When prompted, he would not not commit to making English a precondition for citizenship.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/morrison-harks-to-integration-20130717-2q4m...

Another Liberal politician who's mouth spews forth gardbage before his brain cogs start working.

[spotweldersfriend]

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@patchoo78 wrote:

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@spotweldersfriend wrote:
Tambien estoy de acuerdo.

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Donde estas la cerveza?

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No bebo alcohol 🙂

[freakiness]

I have more problem with the temporary protection visa concept.

That is cruelty in my opinion.

[vampire-teddy]

i wonder how many Australians who go overseas to work know the language of the other country fully before they go.  most if not all migrants and refugees will learn  our language over time even if it is just enough to get by.  

this country was "settled" by boat people who never bothered to learn the languages of the indigenous people and who in fact attempted to  annilate  the Aboriginal culture.  we have become an intolerant selfish and arrogant nation in a very short period of time which seems to have forgotten its roots and our two main political parties and their leaders are prime examples of these attributes.

[a_dingo_ate_my_chinwagger]

Why is a temporay protection visa cruel? It offers immediate protection for the applicant (refugee) until such time as their right to claim refugee status is determined.(and be honest, there are many who are fleeing bad economic conditions in their own country rather than actual targeted persecution.)

It's a lot cheaper than keeping them in detention centres and by all accounts a whole lot less cruel. So what's the problem?

[fourandsixpants]

"M-M-M-Maaaaayte!!!!"............I arrived here as a twelve year old, many moons ago from England.

It was quite stressful 'fitting in' and being accepted by the surrounding 'Orstralyuns' without being teased about my accent, the way in which I pronounced certain words, the names I called called things(e.g. I arrived thinking that sandshoes/sport shoes were called plimsoles.....silly me!.....and pigtails I thought were called bunches etc)

So, before I went to sleep at night I practised speaking with an Australian accent. I made a concerted effort to pronounce certain words 'differently' to how I had been use to for the previous 12 years! e.g. gr-ass instead of gr-arse......gl-ass instead of gl-arse.....d-ants (dance) instead of d-aunts etc - just to 'fit in' and so not to be constantly bullied and teased by peers at school! It was hell!!

At least I could speak english but it's ORSTRAYLY-UN that needs to be learnt!

I can't imagine how tough it could be for non-english speakers to try and speak english and to then have insensitive Australians tease their resultants efforts. I would guess that many would suffer the teasing for a bit and then throw the towel in and decide the effort not worth their time and trouble.

Encouragement and praise would go a long way in supporting new arrivals no matter their circumstances - and more importantly accepting people for their differences without chastisement.

As far as pollies of any Australian party pushing for an english test for migrants - I say take these proponent pollies, bundle them up with an overnight bag containing a few personal items, shove them on a plane(or a 3rd class lower deck ship) destined for a foreign

land on a flight that takes a day, on a ship that takes a week or longer. Then when they get to the other end subject them to some 'good natured' teasing and bullying whilst insisting that they immediately learn the local language, sit a language test, find a home, schools,and job/s:).......absolutely no bloody idea! 

[freakiness]

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@a_dingo_ate_my_chinwagger wrote:

Why is a temporay protection visa cruel? It offers immediate protection for the applicant (refugee) until such time as their right to claim refugee status is determined.(and be honest, there are many who are fleeing bad economic conditions in their own country rather than actual targeted persecution.)

It's a lot cheaper than keeping them in detention centres and by all accounts a whole lot less cruel. So what's the problem?

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What I think is cruel about them is that we let them settle in to some extent but refuse to allow them permanent security. Kids start school and start to get a life but it's all temporary.  They can wake up one day and be told they are no longer welcome here, time to go back.

[2106greencat]

I think learning the correct language is a great idea.......wonder if they will start teaching it to the kid's in school soon.

I am amazed by the number of school leavers who can not spell, let alone put a word in the correct context - and as for mathematical skills (even basic) pffft.

The day's of pen and paper and teacher correction are gone it seems.

[katydidthat]

Well, the poor asylum seekers will now have to learn one of PNG's languages.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Papua_New_Guinea

Shame, Rudd, shame.  

[whispering_chinwaggers_are_calling_me]

Speaking english is not suffient to be able to communicate with about 50% of the AUSTRALIAN born and bred population.

Do you consider my english skills inferior?

No?

Well, let me tell you that in conversations I only understand about half of what many australians say, simply because they don't bother to speak english but australian instead. Usually I just nod and smile and ask my husband later what they said. It does not make you feel included. They think it is fun to speak sloppy and with a broad aussie accent but it's a nightmare for any foreigner.

If you want foreigners to speak english maybe set a good example and speak english yourself before you demand others to do so.

[whispering_chinwaggers_are_calling_me]

You know what?

I rather talk to another foreigner in english than to australians because they are often easier to understand because they speak english LOL

Actually, it's not funny at all.

It's a bloody nightmare. Every day, never get a rest from that.