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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 46m

I get that, but I can't see many immigrants rocking up with an A level standard in Welsh and challenging the legislation in court.

Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 49m

When 80% of 16-25 year olds have, or are taking A levels or equivalent - which would be the language requirement you're doing what the "all illegals get PS5s" do.

Pretending everyone who supports reform is a moron underestimates them - did you learn nothing from Brexit? Take them seriously.

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 1h

After all "the British Isles" is an Elizabethen invention.

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 1h

In joint statements the British and Irish governments tend to use "these islands" as the dodge - so maybe we're just the "these" isles in a couple of hundred years as language adapts.

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 1h

"These islands"

The Atlantic archipelago.

Britain and Ireland

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 1h

The "point" being that you misinterpreted the phrase and hadn't read the article otherwise you'd have known that no one is going to need an A level in English to immigrate?

Frothing as badly as the flag shaggers do over invented claims adds little to the discourse.

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 1h

You're brave suggesting Ireland is part of the British Isles.

There are a very vocal contingent for whom that is heresy.

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 1h

Immersion helps, and the motivation is higher when you can see yourself using it actively.

There is a general trend across Europe to increase the language requirements - Denmark lead the charge - as it's an essential tool to integration. The question here is if this is first application or renewal.

Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 1h

Yet you didn't read the article which clarified the point.

I haven't heard wassock in ages. It's like it's the 1980's and someone's got a brand new combine harvester.

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

I'm an immigrant to Norway and I passed the equivalent test in Norwegian at B2 for my citizenship application.

It's for skilled workers who have degree level equivalent or higher qualifications.

Given that a whole bunch will have been taught that degree in English is it unrealistic?

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

Sadly it's the government's framing.

The rush to be first over being right means that you cut and paste rather than parse what CEFR B2 actually means.

www.gov.uk/government/n...

Migrants will be required to pass A Level standard of English

Migrants will be required to pass tough new English language requirements under a law introduced in Parliament today.

www.gov.uk

Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

Yet somehow you read the phrase A level standard and assume that means the standard for A level English rather than the standard required to study any A level?

Glad I stuck with Maths, Physics and chemistry.

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

He took A levels? He has an A level standard of English - in fact he has a degree level standard of English.

Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

As a qualified English teacher I would have expected a higher level of reading comprehension around the phrase "A level standard" and a realisation that doesn't mean an A level in English.

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

The only low skilled jobs you can get a visa for are seasonal.

Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

The majority of Brits study A levels or equivalents.

It's the level required to be able to take any A level, it's NOT an A level in English.

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

Why does no one read past the headline? Even then why is the reading comprehension so poor that A level standard is assumed to be an actual A level in English, rather than the standard required to study any A level?

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

It is working English

Children include those who are 17 for example.

Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

póg mo thóin

They'll probably be in the CTA so these rules won't apply.

How many Irish speakers are there who aren't Irish nationals?

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

Most places allow for some medical exemptions - but in this environment...

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Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

It doesn't mean an actual A level in English but rather the level required to study a topic at A level.

Though I have all sorts of questions about the reading comprehension requirements.

Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

I don't think Chaucer is on the A level curriculum.

Shakespeare, Keats, Austin, Dickens, Wordsworth?

But it's revealing that the reading comprehension leads to "an A level standard must mean an A level in English" when it means a standard required to study any subject at A level.

Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 7h

Sure as an immigrant is a migrant who's come in and an emigrant is one who's left they're both migrants.

Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 8h

The thing is every country has its idiots, but when a bunch of English guys are walking through Amsterdam everyone understands them.

When a bunch of Dutch guys are walking through London, you just have to assume they're nice.

Brits really need to learn Welsh.

Max Parker @cominagetcha.bsky.social · 8h

The key thing is to understand what CEFR level B2 is before going off on one.

The press release is rubbish - but god forbid they should refer to a European framework.