Speak English 'or go home'

Billy · 14-09-2006, 09:59

What do you think?

Please only sensible replies and no racist remarks.

Quote:

ALL new Australian citizens would have to pass English tests under a plan to be announced soon by the Howard Government within weeks.
Thousands of migrants are refusing to take part in taxpayer-funded English courses each year and those applying for citizenship only need to show they understand the questions they are asked for citizenship to be granted.
A decision on mandatory English tests for citizenship is to be announced soon by Andrew Robb, parliamentary secretary for immigration and multicultural affairs.
"If these people want to reside here and take citizenship, they should have a functional grasp of English, that is why I have been canvassing the idea of a compulsory citizenship test with an English test component," Mr Robb told the Herald Sun.
All new non-English speaking migrants would also be encouraged to have English lessons to help them integrate into Australian society.
"We already have a compulsory test for skilled migrants - this year nearly 100,000 skilled workers, around 70 per cent of all migrants - were required to sit such a test," Mr Robb said.
"For refugees and the families of skilled migrants, they have an entitlement to English lessons if they haven't got functional English."
Although optional for non-skilled arrivals who speak little or no English, as few as 62 per cent of those turn up for study.
Senior ministers, including Alexander Downer, have expressed support for making English skills essential for migrants.
The push comes after Prime Minister John Howard called on all Muslims to learn and speak English and make stronger attempts to integrate into Australian society.
"Fully integrating means accepting Australian values, it means learning as rapidly as you can the English language if you don't already speak it," he said.
Mr Downer has also pressed for migrants to learn English.
"All migrants should speak English. If you come to Australia as a migrant and you can't speak English then you're going to be enormously disadvantaged," the Foreign Affairs Minister said.
"Migrants who come here and aren't able to learn the language are going to end up becoming alienated from the mainstream of society."
The number of migrants entering the English courses rose last year from 34,000 to 36,000.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20408948-2,00.html

BeautUtes

Jay · 14-09-2006, 10:18

If they wanna live here, they should speak our language and live by our laws!

Redneck Woman · 14-09-2006, 10:35

I agree with this, even if you visit another country it is a good idea to learn the basics of the language so you can converse successfully. When migrating to a new country, you have chosen it as the place to start your new life, it is only reasonable that you should try to learn the language as soon as possible.

doc · 14-09-2006, 10:48

i have to say i agree. if i went to another country i would want to be able to speak their language properly even just to make life easier for myself.

it can be very difficualt trying to understand some of these people who cant speak english properly - especially when they are on the telephone & it must also be frsutrating for them that we are constantly unable to understand them.

personally i think it would be better for everyone.

hopefully that didn't come across as racist.

BeautUtes

wraithe · 14-09-2006, 11:13

Totally disagree.....(i'm not being a smart ar*& about this either....)
Why...During imigration in the 20's to the 60's and even earlier and later, there where Italians, Germans, French, Spanish, Chinese, Slavs, Poles(you dont need me to keep naming them...These people mostly did not speak english but in time there children did, some learnt it but some that are alive today still dont, they may understand what your saying but they dont speak the language....Now these same people are the guts of this country...The aboriginals took a century to learn the language but its where they originate from, so maybe we should learn the 2000 different dialects of the aboriginals...Sorry guys but australia is made by people from every nation on this rock in space and if they dont know the language then it is a limitation to them, whatever happened to acceptance....
I know a greek that came here in the 60's, he dont speak english but he has learnt to understand it...he is the most beautiful person, but has never been able to speak the language, now his children can hardly speak greek but they have to for his sake...does that mean he has to leave,dont think so, besides who would take over his farm and make as good a living as he has...
I have an Italian friend who was determined to learn the language, he learnt cause he kept gettin harassed by this big burly cop...so until he learnt the language properly he didnt say nuthin, so he did learn it and told the cop to stop calling him an f wit, he got locked up and the cop told him this is a country for pure whites...now really, arnt we an accepting country and wish to be accepted for ourselves not because we have a pure english speaking society...

To me, demanding this just goes to show you how racist this government is getting..I dont give a damm where your from or who you are, or wether you speak english or not, speak to me like crud and i'll tell you where to go but show me respect as i will show you respect from the moment i meet you, (unless your names lil johnny...lol...) and i'll accept you...
Now we as ute drivers want acceptance, then show the same to people that are having problems learning the language...

Besides if you dont like it, get off this rock, oops sorry, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren tried but didnt get far....We are stuck on this planet and its better for everyone to get along, and make the most of it...

Acceptance, understanding, a few drinks around a campfire, and a good aussie stirring...Thats australia...

PS...Now if they are going to ban all Fords and allow Holdens only, then i may just support that....and if they decided that our polititions are going to be treated like tank water and washed out every couple of years then i could lead the parade there too.....lmao...

wraithe · 14-09-2006, 11:22

Hey guys one other thing, this polly is reknowned for stirring things up to get votes and then he craps on us, dont get fooled by stupid behaviour by him...remember Pauline Hanson, and now he's adopting her policies, how about we unadopt him....Its a vote scam and if he really wants to implement it then we are on a downhill run with another modern day hitler...Having to speak english to enter Australia is just a form of racism and really wouldnt it be better to be accepting...
I have enough problems of racism because of my religion, the christians whinge about being picked on but they target people like myself, lets stop racism and unacceptance and start being aussies...
GO THE PAGANS!!!!!!

Mechanised Swaggie · 14-09-2006, 12:35

Sik tee lan Sik tee lan
Speak English it's Australia
Well F*** you then ha thats English
Chopper "BANG"
no more samy the turk

TanUteGirl · 14-09-2006, 13:14

Yeah, it's a dicey subject but where do we draw the line? I can understand when skilled workers bring their elderly parents with them who remain at home and therefore have no need or opportunity to learn the language. The "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" method could probably apply to this. After years of working in the city though, it upset me on several occasions when parents only speak non english to their children. My sister in law works in a heavily European populated area and is a primary school teacher. She regularly tells me about preppies and grade ones who she simply cannot teach anything to because she firstly has to try to teach them English. She has, on her own bat, now learned many of the languages so that she is able to do this. She then has the issue of them not really remembering what she has taught them because they promptly go home and don't use it. She's constantly concerned that the "normal" english speaking kids then miss out because she has to spend so much time with the non english speaking ones. These children start off on the wrong foot and will continue to do so throughout their lives. Even in the play ground, these kids segregate themselves into the groups based on their nationality because it's easier. Then the groups all pick on eachother. It should surely be compulsory for parents of children enrolling in school to have a grasp of English, I'd hate to think of how they go with reports and parent teacher interviews and the like. I don't think I'd ever class myself as racist, I just think it's bordering on neglect you deny your children the ability to communicate in the country that they will grow up in. SORRY! A BIT LONG WINDED!

BeautUtes

Panas · 14-09-2006, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by wraithe

..I dont give a damm where your from or who you are, or wether you speak english or not

Thats nice but this is OUR country, with Our way of life, and people who want to immigrate here and live (regardless of race or creed) need to accept OUR way of life. Some of them are running from countries that have less than desirable ways of life, and yet when they gain their citizenship they want to live according to the way of life they have just fled. These people might be a minority in the big scheme of things however they seem to have an awful influence on our society.

As they say:

IF YOU DON'T LOVE IT LEAVE

14-09-2006, 10:18	#2 (permalink)
Jay Status: 2006 Champion 4x4 Ute! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From Maffra, Vic. Now in Moora, WA Posts: 3,630 Rep Power: 10	Re: Speak English 'or go home' *If they wanna live here, they should speak our language and live by our laws!* __________________ I said NO to alcohol, but it didn't listen! Last edited by Jay; 14-09-2006 at 10:55.

14-09-2006, 10:35	#3 (permalink)
Redneck Woman Status: June 2006 Best Chicks Ute! Join Date: May 2005 Location: 1/2 way between York & Quairading Posts: 1,201 Rep Power: 10	Re: Speak English 'or go home' I agree with this, even if you visit another country it is a good idea to learn the basics of the language so you can converse successfully. When migrating to a new country, you have chosen it as the place to start your new life, it is only reasonable that you should try to learn the language as soon as possible. __________________ Country to the Core Jester's Ute Club *Country or Concrete we are all here to have fun!*

14-09-2006, 10:48	#4 (permalink)
doc Status: May 2006 Best Chicks Ute! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: - Posts: 2,423 Rep Power: 22	Re: Speak English 'or go home' i have to say i agree. if i went to another country i would want to be able to speak their language properly even just to make life easier for myself. it can be very difficualt trying to understand some of these people who cant speak english properly - especially when they are on the telephone & it must also be frsutrating for them that we are constantly unable to understand them. personally i think it would be better for everyone. hopefully that didn't come across as racist. __________________ Psycho but Sweet... Evens things out

14-09-2006, 11:13	#5 (permalink)
wraithe Status: Manji Nutter... Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Manjimup Posts: 419 Rep Power: 3	Re: Speak English 'or go home' Totally disagree.....(i'm not being a smart ar*& about this either....) Why...During imigration in the 20's to the 60's and even earlier and later, there where Italians, Germans, French, Spanish, Chinese, Slavs, Poles(you dont need me to keep naming them...These people mostly did not speak english but in time there children did, some learnt it but some that are alive today still dont, they may understand what your saying but they dont speak the language....Now these same people are the guts of this country...The aboriginals took a century to learn the language but its where they originate from, so maybe we should learn the 2000 different dialects of the aboriginals...Sorry guys but australia is made by people from every nation on this rock in space and if they dont know the language then it is a limitation to them, whatever happened to acceptance.... I know a greek that came here in the 60's, he dont speak english but he has learnt to understand it...he is the most beautiful person, but has never been able to speak the language, now his children can hardly speak greek but they have to for his sake...does that mean he has to leave,dont think so, besides who would take over his farm and make as good a living as he has... I have an Italian friend who was determined to learn the language, he learnt cause he kept gettin harassed by this big burly cop...so until he learnt the language properly he didnt say nuthin, so he did learn it and told the cop to stop calling him an f wit, he got locked up and the cop told him this is a country for pure whites...now really, arnt we an accepting country and wish to be accepted for ourselves not because we have a pure english speaking society... To me, demanding this just goes to show you how racist this government is getting..I dont give a damm where your from or who you are, or wether you speak english or not, speak to me like crud and i'll tell you where to go but show me respect as i will show you respect from the moment i meet you, (unless your names lil johnny...lol...) and i'll accept you... Now we as ute drivers want acceptance, then show the same to people that are having problems learning the language... Besides if you dont like it, get off this rock, oops sorry, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren tried but didnt get far....We are stuck on this planet and its better for everyone to get along, and make the most of it... Acceptance, understanding, a few drinks around a campfire, and a good aussie stirring...Thats australia... PS...Now if they are going to ban all Fords and allow Holdens only, then i may just support that....and if they decided that our polititions are going to be treated like tank water and washed out every couple of years then i could lead the parade there too.....lmao... __________________ I got lost in thought, it was unfamiliar territory... "Men are proof that Women can take a joke" "CUTE-but kind of evil"

14-09-2006, 11:22	#6 (permalink)
wraithe Status: Manji Nutter... Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Manjimup Posts: 419 Rep Power: 3	Re: Speak English 'or go home' Hey guys one other thing, this polly is reknowned for stirring things up to get votes and then he craps on us, dont get fooled by stupid behaviour by him...remember Pauline Hanson, and now he's adopting her policies, how about we unadopt him....Its a vote scam and if he really wants to implement it then we are on a downhill run with another modern day hitler...Having to speak english to enter Australia is just a form of racism and really wouldnt it be better to be accepting... I have enough problems of racism because of my religion, the christians whinge about being picked on but they target people like myself, lets stop racism and unacceptance and start being aussies... GO THE PAGANS!!!!!! __________________ I got lost in thought, it was unfamiliar territory... "Men are proof that Women can take a joke" "CUTE-but kind of evil"

14-09-2006, 12:35	#7 (permalink)
Mechanised Swaggie Status: Beaut Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Broadford Posts: 411 Rep Power: 3	Re: Speak English 'or go home' Sik tee lan Sik tee lan Speak English it's Australia Well F*** you then ha thats English Chopper "BANG" no more samy the turk __________________ -Just give me a MACK and a decent load and turn me loose on the Darwin Road.. -I'll be better off by far... 1995 XG Falcon Longreach Outback BNS Rig 1997 HZ(T)J75 Cruiser Bush Rig

14-09-2006, 13:14	#8 (permalink)
TanUteGirl Status: November 2006 Best Chicks Ute Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Darwin Posts: 578 Rep Power: 3	Re: Speak English 'or go home' Yeah, it's a dicey subject but where do we draw the line? I can understand when skilled workers bring their elderly parents with them who remain at home and therefore have no need or opportunity to learn the language. The "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" method could probably apply to this. After years of working in the city though, it upset me on several occasions when parents only speak non english to their children. My sister in law works in a heavily European populated area and is a primary school teacher. She regularly tells me about preppies and grade ones who she simply cannot teach anything to because she firstly has to try to teach them English. She has, on her own bat, now learned many of the languages so that she is able to do this. She then has the issue of them not really remembering what she has taught them because they promptly go home and don't use it. She's constantly concerned that the "normal" english speaking kids then miss out because she has to spend so much time with the non english speaking ones. These children start off on the wrong foot and will continue to do so throughout their lives. Even in the play ground, these kids segregate themselves into the groups based on their nationality because it's easier. Then the groups all pick on eachother. It should surely be compulsory for parents of children enrolling in school to have a grasp of English, I'd hate to think of how they go with reports and parent teacher interviews and the like. I don't think I'd ever class myself as racist, I just think it's bordering on neglect you deny your children the ability to communicate in the country that they will grow up in. SORRY! A BIT LONG WINDED!