[Spline]

Working as a translator involves a high degree of responsibility, and learning from watching movies does not cut it. you need to know that language perfectly and have a vast vocabulary. I learned Italian from watching tv + 4 years in school and I had no problem speaking to native speakers in Italy but I'd never use that as a basis for a serious job application.

And when he said that this country has failed him, that was plain lack of responsibility on his part. Nevertheless it was a hard lesson for him and maybe in time he will realise that the country did not fail him, it was only his own projection of the UK based on unrealistic assumptions at fault.

We all have to start somewhere and accurate self assesment goes a long way in getting you closer to the real world. My advice: put money aside, buy some books if he can't afford courses. Study insanely for a year or two, then he'll have a chance.

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

I also agree - I do think she was completely unaware of how her comments may have come over, I do not think there was malice or intent to be racist.

She was being racist, but coming from a mono-ethnic background where she said they have white skin only she doesn't realise that times have changed in the last 50 years and it's not acceptable anymore to throw insulting prejudice on national tv.

By saying "We're living with black people but we don't really mind, because they're friendly" means she's telling the other people at that table that "black people" can be friendly. wow! Now that makes one wonder what were her initial assumptions

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

It's fine to laugh (and yes, I did think.... ha ha, you're not that smart)... but after about 2 seconds I realised that at least he could speak 4 languages despite his young age.

How many in this country, UK born and bred caucasion British Citizens can speak 4 languages? Not many, with a high proportion having very limited English skills, never mind any other language far less a third or a fourth.

Being able to speak a language is very different from the written form - the guy did seem to have a 'rose tinted' idea - I can't deny that - but as I say, regardless of where he learned the languages: he spoke them well enough for the agency worker to verbalise with him. It was his written work that caused him the issues.

It's rare, I agree but I don't see why anyone should you speak 4 languages if they don't need them. It's a waste of energy/time and you forget them all if you don't use them.
Sherlock Holmes didn't know the Earth went around the sun and wasn't ashamed of admiting it because to him that was useless information.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Spline

Working as a translator involves a high degree of responsibility, and learning from watching movies does not cut it. you need to know that language perfectly and have a vast vocabulary. I learned Italian from watching tv + 4 years in school and I had no problem speaking to native speakers in Italy but I'd never use that as a basis for a serious job application.

And when he said that this country has failed him, that was plain lack of responsibility on his part. Nevertheless it was a hard lesson for him and maybe in time he will realise that the country did not fail him, it was only his own projection of the UK based on unrealistic assumptions at fault.

We all have to start somewhere and accurate self assesment goes a long way in getting you closer to the real world. My advice: put money aside, buy some books if he can't afford courses. Study insanely for a year or two, then he'll have a chance.



She was being racist, but coming from a mono-ethnic background where she said they have white skin only she doesn't realise that times have changed in the last 50 years and it's not acceptable anymore to throw insulting prejudice on national tv.

By saying "We're living with black people but we don't really mind, because they're friendly" means she's telling the other people at that table that "black people" can be friendly. wow! Now that makes one wonder what were her initial assumptions




It's rare, I agree but I don't see why anyone should you speak 4 languages if they don't need them. It's a waste of energy/time and you forget them all if you don't use them.
Sherlock Holmes didn't know the Earth went around the sun and wasn't ashamed of admiting it because to him that was useless information.

Having done TEFL work in the past, I'm aware to a degree what is involved. the lad was unrealistic and that proved itself to the point that he went back home, realising he could not quite cut it.

Re the alleged racist perception: I'm still very much of the opinion that it was not deliberately intended..I agree with what you said, and if you look back several posts: I said much the same thing in respect of 'blacks' in Scotland in the 60's for example. Now days it is considered racist, but as you say, her mindset was most likely as most in the Uk was, back decades ago. I do understand why you are thinking it could have been /or was racist. I on the other hand, and prepared to think it was not designed to be so (esp with it not being her first language also).l

If you feel there's no point in learning any other language, never mind 4 if you are unlikely to use them, that's entirely your opinion. Mine is very much that regardless of this young man's misconceived ideas of how good he would be at becoming a translator: he at least has far more multilingual skills than (most likely) anyone posting on this forum - but are happy to critisise the guy / find fault / mock him..... when he is in fact, doing what many of his age in this country cannot do - or as you put it - simply don't want to - because they think it's useless. This guy want to be a translator but now realises that he needs to hone and improve vastly, what he already knows -he needs to build on that.

it's one of the reasons the Brits are considered pretty ignorant (not fms, Brits in general) and are too lazy to learn other languages - but expect everyone to learn and understand ours.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

How many in this country, UK born and bred caucasion British Citizens can speak 4 languages? Not many, with a high proportion having very limited English skills, never mind any other language far less a third or a fourth.

Being able to speak a language is very different from the written form - the guy did seem to have a 'rose tinted' idea - I can't deny that - but as I say, regardless of where he learned the languages: he spoke them well enough for the agency worker to verbalise with him. It was his written work that caused him the issues.

I think you're sterotyping most British people as the football shirt wearing scum that some are, there are plenty of British people who can speak numerous languages, you're making an unfair generalisation on most of this country's youth.

On the whole racism thing, I can accept that it wasnt said to be offensive, but to a lot of people it seems like that. Rewatching it the majority of the group come across as nice people. Though Norbet comes across as a real dick, he seems to like generalising British people. I can understand that girl who came over to attempt the concert thing going home, she had a good job back in her own country, she may as well go back home if she failed at getting her dream job, but kudos to her for trying.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Chewy

I think you're sterotyping most British people as the football shirt wearing scum that some are, there are plenty of British people who can speak numerous languages, you're making an unfair generalisation on most of this country's youth.

On the whole racism thing, I can accept that it wasnt said to be offensive, but to a lot of people it seems like that. Rewatching it the majority of the group come across as nice people. Though Norbet comes across as a real dick, he seems to like generalising British people. I can understand that girl who came over to attempt the concert thing going home, she had a good job back in her own country, she may as well go back home if she failed at getting her dream job, but kudos to her for trying.

Nope, I am not sterotyping most British People - or rather, our 'youths' to be more specific. What I am saying that what is regarded as Vicky Pollard types are no longer simply a parody - but are increasing in numbers - and high numbers at that.

There are a damn lot of intelligent, respectful and very decent younger folk - teens and young adults who do themselves proud - that I will never say is not the case, indeed, I see some of them on this very forum.

But as I mentioned in my 1st paragraph: the Vicky Pollard type used to be amusing 10 years ago - because it was a rarity and we all 'knew' one or two like that. Unfortunately: that count is risiing. You just have to walk up any high street to see the proof.

I disagree that pro-rata, younger people in the UK speak some/many languages in comparison to our European counterparts. How many schools in the UK teach another language from the mintue the child goes to school? Very very few and mostly only private schools.

In Europe: it's pretty much standard.

Over 30+ years ago, I attended an American School in the middle east when I wasn't even yet a teen... and guess what ... 2 other languages were part of the curriculum (Arabic and a.n.other), as well as English. so I'm afraid I disagree with you that that score.

[MTVN]

I went to a State school and 2 languages was compulsory until GCSE and doing 1 was compulsory until A-Level

[MONA]

Hello everyone,

I am happy that someone decided to comment the show on BBC3. I found it very interesting!

My main concern is why BBC decides to show 5 Eastern European people on TV and decides to make stereotypes out of them on TV. Just because a certain Hungarian person behaves in a certain way does not mean the whole country behaves in a certain way!

I think people in this forum makes assumptions that everyone in that certain Eastern European country behaves in the same way.. now my question is are we not behaving exactly as the girl on TV making comments about Black people? Just because it is "acceptable" in the UK to complain about immigrants does not mean it is right. It was acceptable to complain about black people 50 years ago and it was not right. However, people do not seem to have a problem in making their mind up about a Eastern European in 10 secs since they have met them. I hope you see where I am coming from..

Secondly, I totally agree that of the people on TV have not been come from the same backgrounds as people in Britain, hence did not have the same opportunities, did not see Asian people before, did not afford to study a language. I think learning a language from TV is an admirable effort and shows how entrepreneurial people can be. I do challenge you to try learning a language just by watching TV! The Hungarian guy may not have been right in making all those comments, as some were definitely rude. I think this is because it is a hard transition for him to take. I wonder what your comments would be when you go an visit the most poor areas of Hungary, encounter strange/ maybe unpleasent situations in comparison to what you are used back at home...

Also, it is again TV programs that show England to the world as a money-making machine, where you can become rich in just under a second. That is how these people got these ideas. Most programs about the UK usually show the people that work in the City or the football hooligans.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that each person is unique and they are not representative of a country. I am from an Eastern European country, I have lived in the UK for 5 years, studied at an UK university and now having a successful job in London.

I have never made any rude comments about England, I never hang around in groups that speak a foreign language and I integrate in the society. My family background is really poor, I used to work in one of the worst conditions ever to help my grandparents and parents. I have never talked to an Asian person before I came to the UK, but I have never made any comments about it. I was shocked, but embraced the culture all together.

The minute I meet someone for the first time, they ask where I am from because of my accent. I tell them Romania, and it is a conversation killer. Most people I have met start treating me differently... I am not generalising, this is my experience. I am still going to be open and carry on. When will someone treat me as a person who is at their level, not just this "Eastern European" person? I have amazing British friends, but I had to work my heart off to achieve this, to make people appreciate it for who I am!

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by MONA

I think people in this forum makes assumptions that everyone in that certain Eastern European country behaves in the same way.. now my question is are we not behaving exactly as the girl on TV making comments about Black people? Just because it is "acceptable" in the UK to complain about immigrants does not mean it is right. It was acceptable to complain about black people 50 years ago and it was not right. However, people do not seem to have a problem in making their mind up about a Eastern European in 10 secs since they have met them. I hope you see where I am coming from..

I see your point, and while I did think the Eastern Europeans were narrow minded I think the comments made by the two English people - "they should kick them out", "England should be just English" - were a lot more disgusting

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I went to a State school and 2 languages was compulsory until GCSE and doing 1 was compulsory until A-Level

2 language were compulsory? What age ? From Primary 1 or at secondary school.

English is taught from Primary school in the vast majority of European countries. Did you learn any of the 2 compulsory languages from Primary School... or when you moved out of Primary School?

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by MONA

Hello everyone,

I am happy that someone decided to comment the show on BBC3. I found it very interesting!

My main concern is why BBC decides to show 5 Eastern European people on TV and decides to make stereotypes out of them on TV. Just because a certain Hungarian person behaves in a certain way does not mean the whole country behaves in a certain way!

I think people in this forum makes assumptions that everyone in that certain Eastern European country behaves in the same way.. now my question is are we not behaving exactly as the girl on TV making comments about Black people? Just because it is "acceptable" in the UK to complain about immigrants does not mean it is right. It was acceptable to complain about black people 50 years ago and it was not right. However, people do not seem to have a problem in making their mind up about a Eastern European in 10 secs since they have met them. I hope you see where I am coming from..

Secondly, I totally agree that of the people on TV have not been come from the same backgrounds as people in Britain, hence did not have the same opportunities, did not see Asian people before, did not afford to study a language. I think learning a language from TV is an admirable effort and shows how entrepreneurial people can be. I do challenge you to try learning a language just by watching TV! The Hungarian guy may not have been right in making all those comments, as some were definitely rude. I think this is because it is a hard transition for him to take. I wonder what your comments would be when you go an visit the most poor areas of Hungary, encounter strange/ maybe unpleasent situations in comparison to what you are used back at home...

Also, it is again TV programs that show England to the world as a money-making machine, where you can become rich in just under a second. That is how these people got these ideas. Most programs about the UK usually show the people that work in the City or the football hooligans.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that each person is unique and they are not representative of a country. I am from an Eastern European country, I have lived in the UK for 5 years, studied at an UK university and now having a successful job in London.

I have never made any rude comments about England, I never hang around in groups that speak a foreign language and I integrate in the society. My family background is really poor, I used to work in one of the worst conditions ever to help my grandparents and parents. I have never talked to an Asian person before I came to the UK, but I have never made any comments about it. I was shocked, but embraced the culture all together.

The minute I meet someone for the first time, they ask where I am from because of my accent. I tell them Romania, and it is a conversation killer. Most people I have met start treating me differently... I am not generalising, this is my experience. I am still going to be open and carry on. When will someone treat me as a person who is at their level, not just this "Eastern European" person? I have amazing British friends, but I had to work my heart off to achieve this, to make people appreciate it for who I am!

I feel the same way about the group of people that the BBC chose, when I tuned in I expected some documentary that would try to break the sterotypes out there, but the programme seemed to pander to them.

I really hate the ideas people have of immagrints, if you look at how they complain, they make no sense - they don't want people on benefits, yet, if they're working their fingers to the bone to make a life for themselves, the bigots don't like that either.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

2 language were compulsory? What age ? From Primary 1 or at secondary school.

English is taught from Primary school in the vast majority of European countries. Did you learn any of the 2 compulsory languages from Primary School... or when you moved out of Primary School?

I learnt some French at primary school and then did French and Spanish up until A-Level

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by MONA

Hello everyone,

I am happy that someone decided to comment the show on BBC3. I found it very interesting!

My main concern is why BBC decides to show 5 Eastern European people on TV and decides to make stereotypes out of them on TV. Just because a certain Hungarian person behaves in a certain way does not mean the whole country behaves in a certain way!

I think people in this forum makes assumptions that everyone in that certain Eastern European country behaves in the same way.. now my question is are we not behaving exactly as the girl on TV making comments about Black people? Just because it is "acceptable" in the UK to complain about immigrants does not mean it is right. It was acceptable to complain about black people 50 years ago and it was not right. However, people do not seem to have a problem in making their mind up about a Eastern European in 10 secs since they have met them. I hope you see where I am coming from..

Secondly, I totally agree that of the people on TV have not been come from the same backgrounds as people in Britain, hence did not have the same opportunities, did not see Asian people before, did not afford to study a language. I think learning a language from TV is an admirable effort and shows how entrepreneurial people can be. I do challenge you to try learning a language just by watching TV! The Hungarian guy may not have been right in making all those comments, as some were definitely rude. I think this is because it is a hard transition for him to take. I wonder what your comments would be when you go an visit the most poor areas of Hungary, encounter strange/ maybe unpleasent situations in comparison to what you are used back at home...

Also, it is again TV programs that show England to the world as a money-making machine, where you can become rich in just under a second. That is how these people got these ideas. Most programs about the UK usually show the people that work in the City or the football hooligans.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that each person is unique and they are not representative of a country. I am from an Eastern European country, I have lived in the UK for 5 years, studied at an UK university and now having a successful job in London.

I have never made any rude comments about England, I never hang around in groups that speak a foreign language and I integrate in the society. My family background is really poor, I used to work in one of the worst conditions ever to help my grandparents and parents. I have never talked to an Asian person before I came to the UK, but I have never made any comments about it. I was shocked, but embraced the culture all together.

The minute I meet someone for the first time, they ask where I am from because of my accent. I tell them Romania, and it is a conversation killer. Most people I have met start treating me differently... I am not generalising, this is my experience. I am still going to be open and carry on. When will someone treat me as a person who is at their level, not just this "Eastern European" person? I have amazing British friends, but I had to work my heart off to achieve this, to make people appreciate it for who I am!

Hello, welcome and may I say.... an excellent post and says what I have been trying to say since my very first post - that those who cannot see both sides of the coin - or who may not feel that they are able to do so, may indeed be perceived as being as predjudiced as the very people that they are accusing - rightly or wrongly.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I learnt some French at primary school and then did French and Spanish up until A-Level

You learned 'some' French at primary school? Where you taught from Primary 1? Were you taught only toward the latter stages of primary school in preparation for moving onto Secondary School.

Spanish? You haven't clarified if that began being taught as a regular lesson at Primary or Secondary?

As you can see from my earlier posts: most European countries start teaching English from Primary 1. From very early childhood.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

You learned 'some' French at primary school? Where you taught from Primary 1? Were you taught only toward the latter stages of primary school in preparation for moving onto Secondary School.

Spanish? You haven't clarified if that began being taught as a regular lesson at Primary or Secondary?

As you can see from my earlier posts: most European countries start teaching English from Primary 1. From very early childhood.

In my opinion British kids should be kept in school to either 18 or 20, and to be honest, teachers need to start giving a **** about teaching again, in secondary school only a few teachers seemed to actually teach us properly. I left school with **** results and decided I wanted to start learning stuff I wondered about on the internet. The British educational system is messed up

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

You learned 'some' French at primary school? Where you taught from Primary 1? Were you taught only toward the latter stages of primary school in preparation for moving onto Secondary School.

Spanish? You haven't clarified if that began being taught as a regular lesson at Primary or Secondary?

As you can see from my earlier posts: most European countries start teaching English from Primary 1. From very early childhood.

I haven't heard the terms Primary 1, presumably that means at the very beginning of primary school, honestly I can't remember when I started exactly. I was merely pointing out that it isn't always true that Brits "are too lazy to learn other languages" because there was a strong emphasis on it at my school

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Chewy

In my opinion British kids should be kept in school to either 18 or 20, and to be honest, teachers need to start giving a **** about teaching again, in secondary school only a few teachers seemed to actually teach us properly. I left school with **** results and decided I wanted to start learning stuff I wondered about on the internet. The British educational system is messed up

I could not agree more with you in the respect of the British eduction system falling to sub standards in recent years/ decades.

18 to 20ages though, I feel is too long and not required. I learned more than enough during my 5-17ages schooling -because it WAS hard schooling, was regimented and taken very seriously.

Daft as it sounds, but the task that Faye had tonight vs the 10 year old... I've not attended school for almost 30 years, yet I knew each of the answers -they weren't difficult - yet there is Faye, only a few years out of school, didn't know what photosynthesis was, didn't know Helen of Troy (FFS...ROME!!!).... that is scary beyond belief.

However... that's a different type of thread entirely and we'd be in danger of taking it off topic (as interesting as I personally feel it is - to the point that I raised a thread on the very subject many months ago).

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by MTVN

I haven't heard the terms Primary 1, presumably that means at the very beginning of primary school, honestly I can't remember when I started exactly. I was merely pointing out that it isn't always true that Brits "are too lazy to learn other languages" because there was a strong emphasis on it at my school

Let's be honest here MTVN... Primary 1 - I think really is pretty self explanatory what that term means -especially given my very clear previous posts.

Am I correct in what I have said? That you were in fact NOT taught one language, far less two, from the moment you began your schooling at primary school?

The reason I ask you to clarify is because most European schools DO start teaching languages from the beginning of the child's school life - and you stated that 2 languages were compulsory at your school.

I'm unsure what age you are, I'd hazard a guess at late teens, very early 20's if that, but if you 'cannot remember' when you began being taught another language as part of regular lessons, I can only go on the premise then, that not a great deal of emphasis was placed on it - otherwise it would be easily recalled - ie: at the very start of your schooling in Primary or at the latter stages? Was it one or two that were taught, or did one not come into play until you reached secondary school.

I'm certainly not insinuating you had a bad /poor education -not at all - so please do not misinterpret that. It is simply that you made a point of saying your State School had 2 languages as compulsory but cannot confirm at what level or at what stage in the process these became compulsory as regular lessons.

What I am trying to establish is: the difference between UK standards vs schools on the continent in respect of pupils being taught languages from a very eary age. You should not interpret that as being a slight on you personally, for that is not the case: - it's only because you raised your own schooling, that I am commenting on it.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

I'm unsure what age you are, I'd hazard a guess at late teens, very early 20's if that, but if you 'cannot remember' when you began being taught another language as part of regular lessons, I can only go on the premise then, that not a great deal of emphasis was placed on it - otherwise it would be easily recalled - ie: at the very start of your schooling in Primary or at the latter stages? Was it one or two that were taught, or did one not come into play until you reached secondary school.

I am sorry but this is an absolutely ridiculous assumption. Because he cannot remember exactly how old he was wen he started learning another language...not much emphasis was placed on it?

I learnt french at primary school too. Do I remember exactly how old I was or if it was at the start of my school year? Of course not. However I do remember having roughly 3 lessons a week from being very young, though I do not recall how many minutes or hours the lessons lasted for...forgive me. I remember this because it was my fave lesson at school, and also because the room we were took to for it was very cold and up a long flight of stairs that was creepy to walk up. Not because I remember every second of my primary school life.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Let's be honest here MTVN... Primary 1 - I think really is pretty self explanatory what that term means -especially given my very clear previous posts.

Am I correct in what I have said? That you were in fact NOT taught one language, far less two, from the moment you began your schooling at primary school?

The reason I ask you to clarify is because most European schools DO start teaching languages from the beginning of the child's school life - and you stated that 2 languages were compulsory at your school.

I'm unsure what age you are, I'd hazard a guess at late teens, very early 20's if that, but if you 'cannot remember' when you began being taught another language as part of regular lessons, I can only go on the premise then, that not a great deal of emphasis was placed on it - otherwise it would be easily recalled - ie: at the very start of your schooling in Primary or at the latter stages? Was it one or two that were taught, or did one not come into play until you reached secondary school.

I'm certainly not insinuating you had a bad /poor education -not at all - so please do not misinterpret that. It is simply that you made a point of saying your State School had 2 languages as compulsory but cannot confirm at what level or at what stage in the process these became compulsory as regular lessons.

What I am trying to establish is: the difference between UK standards vs schools on the continent in respect of pupils being taught languages from a very eary age. You should not interpret that as being a slight on you personally, for that is not the case: - it's only because you raised your own schooling, that I am commenting on it.

No I was not, but then your original point did not concern at what point languages began to be taught, it simply said that Brits were too lazy to learn languages. I think that given that my post said "it was compulsory in my school until GCSE" it' was that would mean the point from which I started secondary school until GCSE, 11-16

I don't see why you're overcomplicating the issue here, I'm not saying our education system is superior to that in Europe where languages are concerned, I never made such a claim, simply pointing out that some schools do still place an emphasis on languages, even if it is not primary.

And I'm 18 btw

[InOne]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

I don't believe I have indicated anything otherwise. I happened to explain in depth why i thought the opposite.



I agree.



I also agree - I do think she was completely unaware of how her comments may have come over, I do not think there was malice or intent to be racist.



Partly I agree in that he seemed to think he had what it took to be a translator.

It's fine to laugh (and yes, I did think.... ha ha, you're not that smart)... but after about 2 seconds I realised that at least he could speak 4 languages despite his young age.

How many in this country, UK born and bred caucasion British Citizens can speak 4 languages? Not many, with a high proportion having very limited English skills, never mind any other language far less a third or a fourth.

Being able to speak a language is very different from the written form - the guy did seem to have a 'rose tinted' idea - I can't deny that - but as I say, regardless of where he learned the languages: he spoke them well enough for the agency worker to verbalise with him. It was his written work that caused him the issues.

Yeah I give him credit for speaking them somewhat. But as we saw, he had an idealistic view of what the UK was about. And when it didn't go his way, he blamed the UK. He didn't seem to have many prospects apart from being to converse in a few languages. That's why the Polish girl and the others with degrees deserve more merit rather than chancers like him.

[Vicky.]

Can I point out that I havent watched the program but just found that comment to be really odd, and thats the only reason I posted in here too

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I am sorry but this is an absolutely ridiculous assumption. Because he cannot remember exactly how old he was wen he started learning another language...not much emphasis was placed on it?

I learnt french at primary school too. Do I remember exactly how old I was or if it was at the exact start of my school year? Of course not. However I do remember having roughly 3 lessons a week from being very young. I remember this because it was my fave lesson at school, and also because the room we were took to for it was very cold and up a long flight of stairs that was creepy to walk up. Not because I remember every second of my primary school life.

I think it's a fair and reasonable question Vicky. I don't agree that it is 'ridiculous' - and the reason I say that is because I left school almost, god about 29 years ago, yet I can tell you what age I was when I was began learning French and Arabic. I can also tell you when I began studying German - 3 years later. It was more in the vein that if I can recall so far back so many years: someone far younger, their memory would be so much fresher? I don't think that's unreasonable, and I don't think that's ridiculous.

the impression being given by MTVN was that 2 languages were taught at their school as part of their primary school education (in response to my previous posts about European childrens being taught another language from very early in Primary School, in the same way we are taught arithmetic, ie; 1+1 etc).

I'm not slighting MTVN - but if someone is going to say they were taught 2 languages at a UK School as a direct reflection to mirror what happens on the Continent, I think it's only fair that an accurate comparison is made.

It's highly unusual for any UK school to start very young children on foreign languages so very early - it's absolutely not a slight on MTVN or a.n.other fm. I could not have made that clear if I tried.

[InOne]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Can I point out that I havent watched the program but just found that comment to be really odd, and thats the only reason I posted in here too

BBC iplayer! brap

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

It's highly unusual for any UK school to start very young children on foreign languages so very early - it's absolutely not a slight on MTVN or a.n.other fm. I could not have made that clear if I tried.

Is it really

I thought all primary schools did it...

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by MTVN

No I was not, but then your original point did not concern at what point languages began to be taught, it simply said that Brits were too lazy to learn languages. I think that given that my post said "it was compulsory in my school until GCSE" it' was that would mean the point from which I started secondary school until GCSE, 11-16

I don't see why you're overcomplicating the issue here, I'm not saying our education system is superior to that in Europe where languages are concerned, I never made such a claim, simply pointing out that some schools do still place an emphasis on languages, even if it is not primary.

And I'm 18 btw

In all fairness to me MTVN... I made it clear ... here is the part of my previous post, quite some posts ago: at which point, you responded immediately after my post by saying that you attended State School, 2 languages being compulsory..... which is how this convo has then evolved.

I disagree that pro-rata, younger people in the UK speak some/many languages in comparison to our European counterparts. How many schools in the UK teach another language from the minute the child goes to school? Very very few and mostly only private schools.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Can I point out that I havent watched the program but just found that comment to be really odd, and thats the only reason I posted in here too

If a 46 year old can recall their schooling from 30 years ago, it's fairly reasonable to expect an 18 year old to recall their schooling from about 6 or 7 years ago. I personally don't find it odd at all, but hey: therein lies the difference of opinion.