can we truly live in a muti culteral society in the uk??

[zzxxee]

with language barriers of so many different pupils in schools now?
many employers having staff that dont even speak english?

or does having a diverse group of people enhance the u.k
your opinions please x

[zzxxee]

gosh everyone is quiet on this does that mean people are afraid to have an opinion about race and creed ?

[craft1948]

I'm not really qualified to speak on this as York has an extremely small number of people from differing ethnic groups. I think immigrants are the same as any other people, some good and some bad, unfortunately we only seem to hear of the bad.

[B00]

all children still speak english in schools don't they? At least in state schools?

[DEN53]

Over the past few months I have had many telephone conversations with members of social services, local council staff etc etc - most of them, English not being their first language. I have had to spell, everything from basic 'Mrs' to, first names, surnames, addresses even days of the week.

I am quite a tolerant person, but my patience has been tested - though on the plus side, I am now quite fluent in Nigerian.

I have no problem with a multi cultural society, but PLEASE for gods sake, don't let them answer the phones....................................

[zzxxee]

I get annoyed when i hear stories like, my friend whos 8 year old son has been diagnosed with dyslexia has to have his special education classess cut from 3 a week to one a fortnight because all the polish children who dont speak english in the school, are priority cases and he is not !!!!

[Barmaid]

I agree with Craft. I also think that diversity is a good thing. What irritates me is the fact that people decide to make their home here and can't be bothered to learn just a little bit of the language. There's a woman who goes in our shop and speaks not a word of english. The staff (and other customers) are very good and try and help her, but its a little frustrating when she is trying to communicate in her language and sign language!!!!

[B00]

So a bit like Expats who live in Spain (for example) and don't know a word of Spanish, live in English communities and shop, eat and drink in english businesses?

[jake-the-peg]

There's an awful lot of people who retrire in France or Spain from England.

And many of them don't seem to feel the need to speak the language

[Barmaid]

Funnily enough B00 I was thinking that too! I used to go out with a bloke who lived in Spain and barely spoke a word of the lingo. I used to think why go and live there if you are not going to integrate with the culture and language of that country?!

[zzxxee]

if people are to settle in a country with a different language they should not be allowed here till they know the basics ....fact if i am going on holiday abroad i try my hardest to say please and thankyou in their mother tounge as they say in Rome do as the romans do. However i do think diversity makes this country a good place to be

[ummmm]

Yes but they are retiring not looking to get a job or bring up children.

[McMouse]

There is a big difference between British expats who don't speak the local lingo and immigrants who come to UK and don't speak English. My local authority provides a full translation of forms in about 15 languages and an interpreter service in 10 languages. Brits abroad have to fend for themselves........if they can't speak the local lingo they're stuffed.

[ummmm]

The fact that so many people in Europe speak English makes it much easier.

[Barmaid]

I want to retire to Italy. I shall jolly well make sure I can speak the lingo before I do though!

[tamborine]

I object to the cherry-pickers who use free education/health/benefits & bank/invest abroad. Time it was cleaned up !

[jake-the-peg]

They are retiring Ummm not looking for a job but they are looking to use the health services etc.

The French got so fed up with their health service being clogged up with aging British retirees that they introduced a rule that you had to contribute to national insurance there to be eligable

[moonraker558]

I am thinking of emigrating so I can be an ethnic minority in someone else's country instead of mine.

[tanny22]

zzxxee,you asked for opinions so here is mine, you can all moan, shout and scream but you have left it to late,there is to many and they are still coming into the counrtry you call enger land think on is this the england you want ,well live with it.or maybe the bnp have an answer,