The government now wants migrants to speak English at A-level standard. But what does that really mean?
In this video, I argue that this policy isn't about communication — it's about control.
You don't need to quote Jane Austen to contribute to British society. You need empathy, skills and the ability to connect, and most people achieve that without studying 19th-century novels.
This is another false barrier designed to exclude, not include.
This is the transcript:
Do you have an English A-level? No? Nor do I.
I thought about taking it when I was 16. My English teachers, all of them very good, I should add - amongst the best I've ever had on any subject anywhere - wanted me to take it because I did pretty well in my O-level English, as we then had. But the truth was, I wanted to take history, and I don't regret that. And I mastered the English language anyway.
But the government has now decided in its wisdom, or rather in its lack of wisdom, that migrants into this country should have English at A-level equivalent standard. But what does that mean?
If I have managed to write millions of words in my career, which a vast number of people have read, and if I have managed to create quite a lot of video, that millions of people have watched, and very few have complained about with regard to its grammatical construction, why did I need English A-level, and why does a migrant into this country need English A-level?
What is this about? I think it's about control. You don't need to know about Jane Austen's novels to be a participant in society in the UK, because let me assure you, most people don't.
You don't need to have read Charles Dickens or Trollope, or to bring things further forward, Arthur Miller, or whoever it might be that you want to look at.
English literature and the study of poetry, that is normally a part of an A-level English course, doesn't make you a member of our society. In fact, if anything, it makes you an outsider because you understand something that most people don't and see the world in a way that others won't understand as a consequence. It's not a symbol of inclusion, in other words.
But nor is a particular use of language a sign of inclusion. People in Scotland have words that are quite simply different from people in England.
People in England don't always use language in the same way.
People in Wales most definitely use different structures for language than do people in England.
And in Ireland, people use words that are just, well, almost unknown to anybody outside that island. A word like ' soft', for example, which in Ireland means it's a sort of dull misery day, but which never means that in the rest of the British Isles.
So English doesn't actually prove the ability to communicate either.
So what is this about? Control. It's all control. It's about denying people access, of course, by putting up artificial barriers to entry to come into this country to allow only the privileged to gain access to the UK because you've got to be pretty privileged to come from another country and have the equivalent of A-level English in addition to any other qualifications that you might have, and also the financial resources that will now let you get in.
And it's about control in the sense of saying there is an accepted form of society, when there isn't.
I know lots and lots of people who can communicate very effectively, who tell me they never write a word. Time and time again, when I tell people I've written five blogs in a day, they look at me, well, aghast, totally amazed, surprised. "I haven't written an essay since I left school," they tell me, and I believe them. They can't remember the last time they wrote a letter. Their emails might be three lines long at most. If they're forced to, they can write out a text message, but it works, and that's all that matters.
So why are we creating this false standard? Simply because people in government are reflecting the prejudice against people coming into this country in a way that ensures they don't, and I condemn them for that.
People who can cook well don't need to be able to write well. There are people on television who are very good television chefs, but who have autism, or dyslexia, or ADHD, or whatever, and basically aren't able to even read and write.
There are actors who have to learn their lines orally because they can't read, and it doesn't matter. They've learned to cope.
But we're excluding anybody like that from the UK as a consequence, and yet these people are often the strongest innovators of all because they've overcome adversity and have succeeded nonetheless.
English A-level is a shibboleth, and a shibboleth, for those who don't know about it, is a dividing line; a barrier, something you have to get over if you are to get on, and it's artificial, in most cases. A crack in the world, which is put there to ensure that some people are on one side and others, the preferred, are on the better side. That is what the government's doing here. I condemn them for it. We don't need this.
I don't dispute that it helps to be able to speak English if you live in this country, but the vast majority of people who live here do get to that point anyway. Because they see the world around them, because they hear the world around them, because they want to communicate with the people around them, they will learn English, and they'll learn it in the way that is necessary in the community where they live, which we use language in a way that may not be taught by an English textbook, let alone a 19th-century Victorian novel.
So, let's stop this nonsense. Let's talk about the value of communication. The value of skills. The value of diversity. The value of having people who've overcome adversity, and not talk about putting impediments into the path of people with ability, who want to live in our community and contribute to its well-being.
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I think we should insist that members of the government should also have to have A-Level English.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to insist that they have A-Level politics and A-Level Economics too.
They should set by example.
🙂
Definitely not A-level economics.
I agree with all you say. But I can offer you some consolation. It is highly unlikely that it will happen. I am Scottish so I don’t have that qualification. As an observer from across the border who spent her life in Education I have always read all I could get hold of on the subject of learning. Westminster Education Department stands out as the source of really daft ideas that are floated periodically.
If we are going to require relevant A-levels as the price of admittance, isn’t it time we insisted MPs have A-level Statistics or Economics?
🙂
Definitely not economics as it is currently taught. I’d go for history, from 1750 and if you are to write a good history essay at A level standard, not using AI, then you have to have a good command of English
I just checked the equivalent CEFR of an A-Level in English and it’s B2. The requirement for citizenship here in Germany is B1. That’s for citizenship, not for the right to live and work here. Germany knows it needs immigration and is making efforts, including free language lessons, vto lower the barriers in order to attract foreign workers at all levels. To be honest I just understand the logic of this latest move by the British government. Yes it’s about control but it also makes no economic sense whatsoever
Should be ‘don’t understand’
It’s about posturing; grabbing headlines and maintaining a “media presence”.
Next week something else reactionary will come along and this will be forgotten.
Does the Government actually mean A-Level English Literature though. Sorry, it is still a dumb idea by Government, but there is a lesser known A-Level English Language. It’s equally inappropriate of course, in that it is largely focused on the building blocks of language (quite a decent chunk of linguistics is covered for example) with English as its subject language. I suspect this is the course the government really means?
The country already does quite a good job at blocking legal migrants from opportunities anyway. The obstacles many migrants, who want to do an apprenticeship for example, have to go through because they don’t have GCSE English Language (or an equivalent) are ridiculous because their English as a foreign language courses don’t count. Many have to do some silly level 2 foundation tier English course alongside their apprenticeship when it is quite clearly unnecessary.
It’s an absolute nonsense, in my opinion. Languages are a hobby for me, but I’ve qualified for and taught, as part of a team, ESOL courses. English for Speakers of Other Languages, or non-native speakers.
Most people who are not native speakers have some English because it is taught worldwide as a second language. All they require is functional English, absolutely not A level, which I would struggle with myself because it’s mainly literature while I’m very good with grammar. In short, it’s one of the daftest things I’ve ever heard.
Some people will say that people who emigrated here years ago haven’t bothered to learn English. True, but they get by. Many ex-pats (immigrants, I prefer to call them) living in Europe, struggle with the local language, but never try to learn it. Nobody hassles them or demands they learn it, just tries to help with free lessons.
Actually, it is really quite serendipitous that the rest of the world gets by in English because the majority of us are not able to speak any other language let alone our own very well.
I have an English Higher so I wouldn’t qualify; apparently A levels fall between Scottish Highers and Scottish Advanced Highers.
I fall between two stools!
There’s a whole industry dealing with pointless English exams for foreigners living in the UK. I did probably 5 or 6 before getting citizenship. If someone thinks your last certificate is too old they’ll make you take a new one. They even made me do them after I’d done PGCE and MPhil (both at reputable red brick unies, not some ex-polytechnic:) – this was sarcasm of course) in England. I met there GPs, hospital doctors, teachers who had to communicate with their patients and students daily in English, but still had to do those exams for some reason.
I do wonder how much this industry is actually worth.
Interesting point. Who did the lobbying?
Perhaps Spain could consider a Spanish language requirement for UK settlers, who wish to retire to sunny Spain?
What nonesense; I’ve lived and worked in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and now Wales. The diversity of language and usage within each nation – and even between villages – is rich (and amazing) different words and expressions that sometimes imply different ways of seeing the world.
I too have been told that it is a lovely soft morning, with the rain dripping down my neck.
It must be over thirty years ago that the right-wing papers were complaining that hospital doctors couldn’t speak English.
One morning in A&E an old lady from Colne was brought in after collapsing in the street.
“Tell me what happened to you my dear,” said our young doctor, in beautifully modulated English.
“Well, a cum over all maisy like,” was the reply
Our doctor considered the answer, nodded slowly, and asked, “Sister, what is maisy?”
I wonder if he ever added maisy to his lexicon.
🙂
I have lived in Spain since retirement twenty years ago, and have a B2 certificate in Spanish. I am by no means confident that my Spanish is good enough to enable me to successfully follow my career in construction management in Spanish! Some years ago my wife and I were on a bus that broke down on a journey from Heathrow airport, unfortunately the driver could not speak enough English to answer passengers questions.In my industry health and safety is compromised when workers are unable to understand English!
The beauty of patently absurd ideas is they distract from ongoing genocides, policy failures, incompetence and the transformation of the state into a private rent collection machine for the already wealthy.
People are idiosyncratic and that’s something to celebrate. They can make a positive contribution in all sorts of ways.
I failed English “O” level GCE three times. For my third attempt, I did not write an essay at all, instead concentrating on my best handwriting.
For my fourth attempt, fortunately I had read the lead article in the New Stateman the week before. It was about democracy and quoted Aristotle. The English essay options included something about democracy, as well as the usual impossible options on “Boots and Shoes” or “Memories of Christmas”, so I was able to name-drop Aristotle – but not the New Statesman! – and scraped a pass mark.
I failed English Literature “O” level twice. It’s the only “o” level I took I never passed, because the books to study change each year.
Best advice is: Accentuate the positive! Encourage those around you to make the best of themselves in the pursuit of excellence.
Precisely!
We have European-wide standards for language acquisition (CEFR), starting at A1 and moving up to C2 (which is native level). The UK has been a part of this framework since its introduction.
Why in the name of bejaybers would they wish to dispense with that?!
Oh yeah, taking back control.
Again, more politics at the margins – and this is nothing more than gesture politics at the margins which means naff all in actual fact to deal with the real issues we need sorting out.
I moved to the UK 20 years ago with my wife and our two young children, speaking almost no English (whatever basics I knew didn’t help much anyway, as Geordies don’t speak the Queen’s English). The most effective way we learned was by interacting with English speakers. Our local school’s approach was outstanding: despite arriving with no English, our children (then six and five) were included from day one, supported by classmates, and within six months were catching up well with their peers. My wife and I studied at home for a couple of years, but most of our progress came through work and everyday life. Easy access to further education helped consolidate our skills; we both completed degrees in the UK and my wife went on to a PhD. I know many with similar experiences. Of course, not everyone has the same opportunities or circumstances, but most people who are willing to learn can acquire the language, and they certainly don’t need English A levels to do so.
Agreed, and thank you.
I despair at this so-called government. Starmer seems to want to compete with Trump in banality. To follow him in his and Farage’s vile ranting and choose too wage war on immigration in this way, especially when Starmer needs skilled workers for his grandiose plans, is typically small-minded. It shows that he is not only floundering in his misguided war but neither has he the faintest understanding of English A-levels or indeed the education system generally.
Some years ago Roy Hattersley wrote an article in The Guardian where he made the point that for a migrant to the UK not learning English was a decision so bad that it should not be an option.
In particular he highlighted the fact that while in the past there had been |English Lessons for working migrants, almost all men their non working wives had never been catered for putting them in a very vulnerable position, and often of course daughters as well.
What I suggest we can do is look at not learning English as an equalities issue and something that leaves women in particular very disadvantaged BUT thats very different from requiring all migrants to do an ‘A’ Level in English.
There is also a question about ‘Safety Critical’ communication – something Eurotunnel has had to deal with that could usefully be addressed. Again this is very different and specific to a particular environment.
Much to agree with
Within a few months the Reform, Tories and Labour will all be demanding A* results for the English A Level.
This is an odd policy, but appears to be a response to the party currently leading in the polls, headed by someone who stayed in Belgium for 21 years and never learned even the second language of the EU, or the local language.
Why is the standard the English standard of A level, when other nations in the UK have a different education system? If you intend to stay in Scotland what standard will have to be reached? But, these Westminister people so often forget they are leading the UK, and not just Englandshire.
Interesting contrast with the announcement of new training schemes for the green new deal, with upgrades in manual skills. What if an immigrant wants to work in those areas? Will they need to know Jane Austen and iambic pentametre?
I have both English Language and English Literature at A level. But I am ashamed that I have tried my very best to learn Italian and French with very poor success – better when I spent a lot of time in those countries. You talk, Richard, about the need to study various English authors of old, but as far as I recall (it was 68 years ago) no English books were read for A Lang apart from Fowler’s Modern English Usage. So I’m not sure that part of your video is relevant. However, I do fully agree with the rest of it. Even speaking English at all should not preclude admission to the country. I well recall when I had some dealings with Robert Maxwell, who apparently didn’t speak a word of English when he arrived. When I knew him, in close converstation you would never guess he was anything other than a born and bred English Aristocrat. What’s more he spoke many more languages (I suspect 9 or 10). One day he was answering the phone to various people and switching languages as easily as switching expression. Of course Maxwell was a very exceptional person, but I am quite satisfied that any immigrant who wants to get on in life will learn very quickly – I can count as friends many who have. Why wouldn’t they?
As a dyslexic, who dropped out of school and left the UK at 17 without even taking ‘O’ Levels, I am disgusted by this bigoted, divisive Labour Party policy. I have, since then, had my articles published in US magazines and I too wrote a blog at one point. The non-problem of migration into this country has been blown out of all proportion as the main political parties chase Reform for votes. I firmly believe in the ‘Solution Focused Thinking’ you wrote about yesterday, so I am ready to pose one of the questions you solicited in an earlier blog post.
I applied this important principle to the controversial issue of migration that has motivated so much hate and animosity in England. It is not enough to just outline the benefits and contribution that migrants have made here in the UK. We need to construct policies that demonstratively alter the dynamics in order to change public perceptions for the better. The documents that I sent you entitled ‘Collaborative Circular Migration’ represent my personal efforts to reverse current negativity with pragmatic Solution Focused Thinking. This is so important at a time when the Far-Right are stirring up hatred for the ‘other’. My urgent Question to you would be: Are any of the Collaborative Circular Migration measures that I submitted economically feasible in your opinion?
I cannot recall now. Sorry.
Somehow, I can’t imagine buying citizenship (through wealth or government networking) reqires the A level, though perhaps one is issued with their new passport?
It is policies like this that will not only deter people from coming to the United Kingdom, but will persuade others who are already here to leave. This and the ongoing idiocy of Brexit.