Government plans in Britain: No more free integrative language courses?
Following new government plans, asylum seekers and refugees or low earners from ethnic minority backgrounds will have to pay for English language lessons in the United Kingdom – an offer that was free of charge up to now for integrative reasons. Starting in August, the government wants to end universal entitlement to free „English for Speakers of Foreign Languages“ (ESOL) classes. Critics predict that the new legislative action will prevent many skilled migrant workers from integrating into the British society. Meanwhile, some British Members of Parliament have signed an Early Day Motion calling for the government to reinstate „appropriate funding“ for English language learning – particularly for those least able to afford their own training“.
