Oz to get tough with immigrant test
Migrants to Australia who fail a new English language test could have their right to claim citizenship withdrawn, under new proposals announced last week. The new measures are part of a discussion paper put forward by parliamentary secretary for immigration Andrew Robb and backed by Prime Minister John Howard.
"I am very keen on everybody learning the English language as soon as possible," said Howard, who flagged up his concerns about English skills last month. He called on Muslim immigrants to learn and speak English better and to integrate into Australian society. "Fully integrating means accepting Australian values, it means learning as rapidly as you can the English language, if you don't already speak it."
The latest proposals would also increase the waiting period for people to become citizens from three years to four years.
US clarifies 'limited English' status
US education secretary Margaret Spellings responded last week to growing concern from state education officials about how "Limited English Proficiency" (LEP) students are assessed by issuing new definitions of who falls into the category. The new regulations include the definition of "recently arrived LEP" as students who have attended schools in the US for less than 12 months. States will be allowed to exempt recently arrived LEPs from part of the compulsory reading and language arts assessment test. The results of these tests are used to assess schools' overall performance.
Poland opens its doors to teachers
Non-EU nationals will be able to work as language teachers in Poland without work permits as part of campaign to attract skilled workers to the country. The labour ministry has scrapped a series of employment barriers to workers such as teachers, journalists and graduates of Polish medical schools, as well as business people. The move is a response to fears of a "brain drain" as young, skilled Poles seek work other EU countries.
UK media group sells schools chain
The Daily Mail and General Trust, one of Britain's leading print media companies, has sold Study Group International to Australian private equity firm Champ for $140m. Study Group includes the international ELT schools chains Bellebys and Embassy CES.
Max de Lotbinière
The Guardian
