In article , (tim...)
wrote:

"Recliner" wrote in message

al-september.org...
bob wrote:

I think the true motivation becomes clear if you read it as
minicab = Uber.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37038864

Quote:

Transport bosses have defended new regulations requiring private hire
drivers to pass a test in English, following criticism from Uber.

The company said the exam would put drivers out of work.

From 1 October, Transport for London (TfL) will require the
qualification of licence applicants from countries where English is not
the majority language.

It said the new rule had strong public support and was less stringent
than that imposed on black-cab drivers.
The new rules will apply to anyone seeking a new licence or a licence
renewal.

Initial proposals had called for only proficiency in spoken English, but
the final draft requires, among other criteria, at least an intermediate
language qualification.

Besides the spoken portion, the exam also tests reading, writing and
listening skills.

It is referred to as the "B1" level on the Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages and is equivalent to the level the national
curriculum in England expects of children aged nine to 11 years.

In their first language, not in a second one

After 6 years of lessons, I still hadn't achieved that level in
French aged 16 (and I wasn't alone in that)
Though I will admit it's easier to learn a foreign language when you
get to practice it in the real world with fluent speakers, instead of
just in a classroom with people who are no better than you

You'd have done better spending time in a French-speaking country speaking
the language. I did (French and later Portuguese).

But, reaching conversation level in a second language is still not a
slam-dunk, some people never manage it, however hard they try.

Then they will have to accept limits on their job options if they don't have
the necessary skills. The rest of us have to do that in other respects.

Though none of that is to say that I think the test isn't appropriate
for Taxi drivers. I do think that they should be able to master
conversational English, if they are targeting English speaking
passengers.

Drivers need to understand what their hirers are saying and sufficiently
well to meet their requests. That requires a degree of understanding of
English not always available and beyond simple speaking ability is needed.

When I chaired the local licensing committee I was shocked how bad was the
English of some drivers coming before us for disciplinary hearings. While I
could understand the need for interpreters for the complex process of a
quasi-legal hearing, some drivers still couldn't understand simple factual
questions from councillors and give straight intelligible replies.

Cambridge removed the limit on the number of taxi licences in 2001. We
preferred to raise standards of vehicles (mostly vis a vis emissions) and
drivers rather than crudely limit numbers.

--
Colin Rosenstiel