Online at http://www.newcomersnetwork.com/mediareleases/060922.php
The Australian Citizenship English Language Test Debate: Can we forget about terrorism for a moment?
22 September 2006 - 1265 words
by Sue Ellson BBus AIMM MAHRI Founder of Newcomers Network
Points raised in this article include:
. As an Australian, I would fail a basic Australian History Test
. Bring on the English Language Test for New Australian Citizens
. Life and living skills need to be learnt to live in First World Australia
. It is much harder to be extreme if you understand mainstream
. Everyone needs someone to say 'welcome' when they arrive
Have you been subconsciously groomed to be fearful and scared of someone who is different to you? Just because someone speaks with an accent, it doesn't mean that they think with an accent. Every religious group has its own share of extremists. Clothes worn in Melbourne are different from those worn in Brisbane - and not just because of the weather!
I am a born and bred Australian. Every day, I choose to work with people who have chosen to live here because I am inspired by their passion and commitment to a fresh start. I believe that one of the greatest blessings of living in Australia is our opportunity to participate in a democratic society where we can speak our mind. After all, you are reading this because it wasn't censored.
If I feel strongly enough about a proposed change in policy or procedure for the collective benefit of Australian society, I can rally people power, the media, the internet, lobby groups, my local Member of Parliament etc to help me get my message heard.
Despite an Australian education, I must admit that I do not have an extensive knowledge of Australian history and culture. Sorry about that. In fact unless I studied hard, I would probably fail a basic Australian History test. I was shocked by the graphic portrayal of what 'white' Australians did to indigenous Australians in the recently released Australian movie 'Kanyini.' I don't remember ever covering this topic in my Social Studies class at primary school.
Thanks to living in Adelaide for the first 28 years of my life, I have a subtle 'British' accent - quite well regarded really - far better in social situations than one that comes from America or New Zealand. I still talk far too fast and I find it difficult not to include all of the sayings and slang I heard in my youth.
Now, I am 41. I can tell you that the world we are living in is changing at an exponential rate in the 21st century, not an incremental rate as it has done over the last 2000 years.
When British migrants were encouraged to move to Australia between 1945 and 1972, can you imagine them hiring a migration agent to complete the visa application process? International students in some universities now outnumber local students. All levels of government are moving their information, resources and services online so that residents can have up to 24/7 access.
At the local level, people with busy lives are taking refugees for driving lessons, shopping expeditions and medical appointments. They are passing on information about the closest shop, bus or swimming pool to the new neighbour next door. How many times have we trumpeted to the world our commitment to volunteerism - and showcased it at the Olympics in Sydney and the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. This is not the Australia that Greek immigrants arrived in shortly after World War II. How many of these people still recoil at the phrase 'new Australian?'
But where does this leave us in 2006? How do we as a society remain welcoming yet safe in the context of global unrest? For a start, with so much change occurring every single day, we need to ensure that everyone who lives here has the opportunity to actively participate in their community and one of the most obvious common denominators is the ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
Every effort must be made to ensure that this happens - and in some cases, this will mean that the quality of English classes and the associated external support network will need to be improved so that people can reach a suitable standard within an agreed time allotment.
One way to increase a new arrival's ability to participate in Australian life is for them to have the necessary life and living skills for our first world country. A South African person told me how safe she felt in buildings in Australia simply because she knows that there are requirements on fire systems, occupational health and safety and so on.
One of the reasons we enjoy a safe and secure lifestyle in Australia is because of regulations - so if they are in the general interests of all residents - why do we fear their implementation?
Children educated in technology savvy Australia use a plethora of equipment far beyond a desktop computer. Information booths, automatic teller machines, EFTPOS facilities, forms, regulations, health records, street signs, tickets, mobile phones, MP3 players, EVERYTHING in writing is in ENGLISH. And one of the best ways to learn English is as a child does - through living. If our lifestyle in Australia does not provide people with that opportunity, how can new arrivals learn English quickly?
Here is a quick anecdote, just one of many I have heard. An international friend of mine asked a school mum to repeat something she had said because she did not understand it the first time. The mother told her 'don't worry.' Wrong. The woman wanted to know what she had said and all that she had asked her to do was repeat a sentence and this school mother refused. Is this a part of Australian culture that we would like to warn newcomers about? Do we need to inform all newcomers that there is every chance they will be treated differently in schools, shops, workplaces, etc?
The newcomer might be able to speak three languages and have multiple qualifications but because they have a thick accent when speaking English and the local person cannot understand it immediately, they can be treated as 'stupid.' Shame, shame, shame. What about how they will crave a meaningful friendship in their new country but they will be forced to endure conversations about sport and the weather to ensure that they have more than one meeting with a new acquaintance?
As far as I am concerned, bring on the English Language Assessment for new Australian Citizens. How many of us need a deadline or a test to make us do something? Would you want a driver on the road that didn't know the road rules? Then why would you expect a newcomer to be an active participant in Australian life if they cannot communicate and learn the everyday life skills they need to make the most of their new life in their new location? It is much harder to be extreme if you understand mainstream. For a start, you will have access to the same resources so many of us take for granted.
And if you are the person reading this because you DO have English skills, perhaps you could share a bit of your time with someone who needs to improve their skills. You might learn something new, perhaps just a few words in their language - like 'Hello, how are you today?' At the very least, you might be able to teach them something about Australia's fixation with sport and join them at a game. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi. Everyone needs someone to say 'welcome' when they arrive - and if this format doesn't suit you, show them what 'Australia' means to you. After all, it is your destination of choice too.
--
Sue Ellson BBus AIMM MAHRI is the Melbourne based Founder of Newcomers Network, Australia's first independent online guide for people moving to and within Australia that started in 1999. Newcomers Network has been hosting Welcome to Melbourne and Welcome to Sydney events for up to 70 guests every month since January 2005 and provides around 1000 pages of website content free of charge to over 50,000 website visitors per month.
sueellson@newcomersnetwork.com or sueellson@yahoo.com.au
+ 61 (0)3 9812 7288 or +61 3 (0)402 243 271
You can submit your views on the proposed changes to Australian Citizenship online via http://www.citizenship.gov.au/news/discussion_paper.htm before 17/11/06.
The Questions to comment on are available in the Citizenship Discussion Paper and include:
Question 1
Should Australia introduce a formal citizenship test?
Question 2
How important is knowledge of Australia for Australian citizenship?
Question 3
What level of English is required to participate as an Australian citizen?
Question 4
How important is a commitment to Australia's way of life and values for prospective Australian citizens?
Question 5
What form should a commitment to Australian values take?
Question 6
What level of knowledge and understanding of the Australian way of life and English language skills should
people have to be approved for permanent residence in Australia?
Question 7
Should they be required to demonstrate this knowledge?
Question 8
If so, how could they demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Australia and their English
language skills?
Question 9
Should the same be required of people to be approved for long term temporary residence in Australia, such
as for business or study?
Question 10
How important is a commitment to Australia's way of life and values for permanent residents and long term
temporary residents?
Question 11
What form should a commitment to Australian values take?
Question 12
What things do you think are important for prospective citizens to have an understanding of before taking
up Australian citizenship?
Question 13
Should prospective Australian citizens be formally tested for their level of English? If so, would it be
necessary to test oral, written, reading, and listening skills?
Question 14
Should the requirement be expanded beyond needing a knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of
Australian citizenship and an understanding of the nature of the application? Should it instead encompass
a broader knowledge of Australia?
Question 15
If knowledge of Australia is considered important for Australian citizenship, what elements do you think are
necessary? For example, should people choosing to become Australians know something about our history; our culture and traditions; our common values; national symbols; our laws; and our Australian system of democracy? What other things do you think are important?
Question 16
If a formal citizenship test were to be introduced, should certain groups (for example, older people or long term residents) be exempt?
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