Starmer's vision quest

[CXRAndy]

Those will be British people then

 

[Xipe Totec]

Those will be British people then

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Seriously - have you only just worked that out? You've spent all those years convinced that terrorists only came in brown.

And to you - that's a list of perfectly normal & reasonable positions which you find it easy to identify with, isn't it?

 

[briantrumpet]

Another day, another Reformy announcement from Labour, and mis-sold at that (it's not A-level equivalent). To be fair, I think Glasman would be quite happy with a Reform government, so for him it's a win either way.

 

[BoldonLad]

Another day, another Reformy announcement from Labour, and mis-sold at that (it's not A-level equivalent). To be fair, I think Glasman would be quite happy with a Reform government, so for him it's a win either way.

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If a similar edict were enforced in (say) France, or Spain for their native language, there would be more than a few disgruntled Brits grumbling. Not to mention a business opportunity in language teaching and/or forging pass certificates. 😂

 

[Pross]

Another day, another Reformy announcement from Labour, and mis-sold at that (it's not A-level equivalent). To be fair, I think Glasman would be quite happy with a Reform government, so for him it's a win either way.

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When I heard that on the news I thought it sounded like bollox considering the vast majority of 'proper Brits' (myself included) don't have 'A' level English and many don't have GCSE / 'O' level either. The BBC news was particularly Reform-like yesterday covering this announcement; the court case for the guy that threatened to kill Farage and the asylum seeker on trial for stabbing a woman to death. No issue with either of the latter cases being covered (although I do wonder whether the stabbing case would have been considered worthy of national news coverage if the alleged perpetrator hadn't been an asylum seeker as similar cases tend not to get beyond the local news) but the wording felt quite Reformish with talk of the alleged attacker 'returning to this hotel' with images of the hotel in question.

 

[briantrumpet]

When I heard that on the news I thought it sounded like bollox considering the vast majority of 'proper Brits' (myself included) don't have 'A' level English and many don't have GCSE / 'O' level either. The BBC news was particularly Reform-like yesterday covering this announcement; the court case for the guy that threatened to kill Farage and the asylum seeker on trial for stabbing a woman to death. No issue with either of the latter cases being covered (although I do wonder whether the stabbing case would have been considered worthy of national news coverage if the alleged perpetrator hadn't been an asylum seeker as similar cases tend not to get beyond the local news) but the wording felt quite Reformish with talk of the alleged attacker 'returning to this hotel' with images of the hotel in question.

Apparently Chris Mason was getting very exercised about the Chinese spy case being dropped, but is utterly silent about Farage and his Russian chums.

 

[AuroraSaab]

I think most EU countries have an equivalent requirement that similarly applies to skilled jobs or academic posts. The NHS has had a language requirement for medical posts for years. It's fairly insignificant tweaking.

 

[CXRAndy]

Having just watched a clip of an immigrant in the USA who couldn't speak a word of English during the interview.

He had been in the USA for over a decade. How he got a driving license for heavy goods is a joke-probably from New York or Calofornia.

 

[Pross]

If a similar edict were enforced in (say) France, or Spain for their native language, there would be more than a few disgruntled Brits grumbling. Not to mention a business opportunity in language teaching and/or forging pass certificates. 😂

But everyone should be able to speak English surely?

 

[Psamathe]

Another day, another Reformy announcement from Labour, and mis-sold at that (it's not A-level equivalent). To be fair, I think Glasman would be quite happy with a Reform government, so for him it's a win either way.

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Maybe A-levels have changed since my day but despite being fluent in English (for my entire life) I struggles to pass English O-level (as in had to reset and for contingency they made me resit two different boards).

 

[First Aspect]

I suspect they are trying to ensure that people can speak English to A-level French standard, rather than an ability to write an essay about Sense and Sensibility.

I don't think the labour government has great depth of talent when it comes to messaging.

 

[matticus]

But everyone should be able to speak English surely?

Especially french/spanish in areas with a lot of British expats.

 

[icowden]

I suspect they are trying to ensure that people can speak English to A-level French standard, rather than an ability to write an essay about Sense and Sensibility.

That would be English Lit surely? We are expecting people to be able to analyse Chaucer. It's very handy in every day work...

 

[matticus]

That would be English Lit surely? We are expecting people to be able to analyse Chaucer. It's very handy in every day work...

This really isn't on-topic, but it snared my interest (I did both English O-levels, so couldn't remember the divide):
From the Gov syllabus webiste:

GCSE English language is designed on the basis that students should read and be
assessed on high-quality, challenging texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Each
text studied must represent a substantial piece of writing, making significant demands on
students in terms of content, structure and the quality of language. The texts, across a
range of genres and types, should support students in developing their own writing by
providing effective models. The texts must include literature and extended literary nonfiction, and other writing such as essays, reviews and journalism (both printed and online).

<my bold>

p.s. Chaucer is probably waaay pre-19th C, but I think the point is the same as for Sense and Sensibility!

 

[Ian H]

This really isn't on-topic, but it snared my interest (I did both English O-levels, so couldn't remember the divide):
From the Gov syllabus webiste:

GCSE English language is designed on the basis that students should read and be
assessed on high-quality, challenging texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Each
text studied must represent a substantial piece of writing, making significant demands on
students in terms of content, structure and the quality of language. The texts, across a
range of genres and types, should support students in developing their own writing by
providing effective models. The texts must include literature and extended literary nonfiction, and other writing such as essays, reviews and journalism (both printed and online).

<my bold>

p.s. Chaucer is probably waaay pre-19th C, but I think the point is the same as for Sense and Sensibility!

Chaucer was A-Level and university for me. At least at university the texts were unexpurgated.