“It is important that immigrants wishing to live in the UK permanently acknowledge that they have obligations. Good command of the English language is necessary for them to play a full role in English social life and fit normally into our society,” - said Immigration Minister Liam Byrne.
However, according to the head of the British Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, Habib Rahman, the new law means that applicants for permanent residence status (ILR) will have to take the same tests as those applying for British citizenship, and this will “confuse” immigrants. “ILR status cannot offer the same rights and benefits as British citizen status,” he said. “Immigrants with ILR status remain subject to immigration laws that do not apply to British citizens. It seems the government has introduced new exams to place additional obstacles in the way of people seeking ILR who have already fulfilled all the necessary requirements.”
For Rahman, it is completely obvious that education sector staff cannot cope with the existing demand for English language courses: “We ask ourselves: why does the government want to increase this demand even more?” Applicants with a good level of English can take the long-existing exam called “Life in the UK.” It was designed to test citizenship applicants. Within 45 minutes, the test taker answers 24 questions, demonstrating basic knowledge of British culture.
Immigrants with weaker knowledge can take an ESOL English language course for foreigners, combined with a cultural studies course — somewhat simplified compared to the course for those seeking citizenship. They do not need to take an exam similar to that required for citizenship; they are only expected to “successfully complete” the course. As proof, they will have to take a computer-based test with multiple-choice answers. Since last week, it can be taken at 90 test centers across the country. Candidates who fail the test can retake it any number of times.
To obtain permanent residence status in the UK, foreigners need to know the history, culture, and customs of the United Kingdom well. Most of the information that will be tested in the test tasks is contained in the textbook “Life in the UK.” The test may include questions like: “Has the number of smokers in the country increased in recent years?”, “In what year did suffrage extend to women?”
The test may even include questions that seem half-joking at first glance, but which nevertheless require a correct answer. For example: “What to do if you accidentally spill someone else’s pint of beer at the bar?” One of the answer options: “Prepare for a fight in the bar parking lot.” However, the correct answer is: “Offer to buy another pint.”
As in other countries
In the previous issue of “Zagranitsa” we already reported that significant changes may be made in the near future to the exam taken by US citizenship applicants.
It is assumed that the basis of the new test will be not only knowledge of historical facts but also understanding of democratic principles. True, the new questions are not yet included in the compulsory exam — the civics test will be conducted only in ten American cities on a voluntary basis starting January 2007. Applicants for citizen status will have to answer 144 questions covering various aspects of US life (with at least 100 correct answers required). Recall that the innovation has already sparked much debate, and the American press notes that even half of the country’s current citizens can hardly answer the proposed questions.
As for other countries, the citizenship exams in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia appear no less stringent. There, examiners require knowledge of language, history, and the constitution. It is even more difficult to obtain Danish citizenship. In addition to living in the country for at least eight years, foreigners wishing to become Danes must pass a language exam at the level of the ninth grade of secondary school.
Against this background, the conditions for obtaining Italian citizenship look quite liberal. Local authorities do not insist that candidates for citizenship know Italian. However, applications from those wishing to obtain an Italian passport are accepted only when they have lived in the country for at least 10 years.