I am quite surprised that in an ESOL forum, all I have seen so far is criticism for Dame Louise Casey's proposals. Her proposals are:
- For everyone to speak English as a common language to aid integration between communities
- To boost funding for local governments to promote English language skills and community-based classes
After so many years of cuts for ESOL provision, I am happy to see there is someone who recognises the importance of ESOL. If some communities are unable to speak the common language of the country they will stay segregated, and if any of you have lived (not just a holiday) in a foreign country, such as China, you will understand. Language functions as a bridge between communities, and the sooner people can acquire the language, the sooner they can integrate into the country.
I have seen some cynical remarks, such as if there were a date at which everyone should be able to communicate in English, half of the monolingual population would be in trouble. If that were true, then its only more reason for us to boost English provision. However, it seems ever so slightly exaggerated. Perhaps it originated in GCSE English pass rates? Nevertheless, I feel confident that if we took those monolingual students who failed their exams out of the artificial environment of a classroom and put them back into the real world, they'd run their daily errands and socialise as well as any of us here. And that's the point. It isn't about pass rates or exam scores, but the integration of society.
I think some people in this group are too focused on some ideal dreamland in which we teach English through Turkish, and sign language through C++. When I see ESOL practitioners praising the idea of teaching English through countless foreign languages in order to be inclusive, but criticise the idea of everyone in the UK speaking English as a common language, I can't help but feel concerned.
I for one can say that I support English provision. I hope that it increases, and I would hope that English does become a common language in the UK. I hope to see a time when communities are integrated with each other. And a time when that integration even leads to a surge in foreign language learning such as Arabic by other communities because of interest caused by integration and sharing of cultures.
Shaun.
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