Speak English?

Carly84

Random question but do you have to be able to speak & understand English to join the British Army?

There is a genuine reason for my question, I just can't find anything online that states whether this is an actual requirement or not?

Thank you :-)

[simon]

The literacy test explained

It’s important that you can communicate with your team in all sorts of ways. This part of the process tests your reading and writing skills. If you're worried about the literacy test, use our online version to practice. You can do it as many times as you need to gain confidence and prepare for the office test

The literacy test checks your reading and writing ability. But if it’s not your strong point – or if English isn’t your first language – there’s no need to worry. There’s a minimum pass mark, but if your scores are low you’ll be able to get further help during initial training, known as Phase 1.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

[simon] wrote: »

The literacy test explained

It’s important that you can communicate with your team in all sorts of ways. This part of the process tests your reading and writing skills. If you're worried about the literacy test, use our online version to practice. You can do it as many times as you need to gain confidence and prepare for the office test

The literacy test checks your reading and writing ability. But if it’s not your strong point – or if English isn’t your first language – there’s no need to worry. There’s a minimum pass mark, but if your scores are low you’ll be able to get further help during initial training, known as Phase 1.

That's from HERE if anyone wants to see the original. On that page there's also a further link to a practice test.

Fergie76

Some people say there is not such thing as stupid question, but...

yangptangkipperbang

Carly84 wrote: »

do you have to be able to speak & understand English to join the British Army?

...pardon...........

Carly84

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

That's from HERE if anyone wants to see the original. On that page there's also a further link to a practice test.

Thank you both :-)

Fergie76 wrote: »

Some people say there is not such thing as stupid question, but...

Fergie I thought exactly the same, which is why I'm left scratching my head as to why my South African husband, who has been in the British Army for 7 years, needs to take a 10 day ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) course before he can apply for British Citizenship. :huh:

easilydistracted

Where did he get this info re the test? If he does need to do the test it must be a very new requirement. My South African partner didn't need to do any test and I can't remember the form asking him which was his first language (as it happens it's English, but I'm sure this was not checked and he's from an area where Afrikaans is spoken quite widely)

Carly84

easilydistracted wrote: »

Where did he get this info re the test? If he does need to do the test it must be a very new requirement. My South African partner didn't need to do any test and I can't remember the form asking him which was his first language (as it happens it's English, but I'm sure this was not checked and he's from an area where Afrikaans is spoken quite widely)

It came in as an additional requirement Oct 2013 but we didn't realise this until yesterday.

He tried to apply last April 2013, did Life In the UK test & took everything to the checking service but was turned away because one of the requirements is that he had to be on British soil on that day 3 or 5 years ago. On that day 3 years ago he was serving in Afghan & on that day 5 years ago he was serving in Iraq. Despite this being with the British Army & the fact that it was british sovereignty land, there's no exception. Even though members of the forces are exempt from the amount of days out of the country rule. It made no sense & I tried to get help from our local MP to no avail.

Now we're in a position for him to apply again & we find out about this course. He's booked onto next one but that isn't until March. He's also Afrikaans but as you'll know, the majority are brought up speaking just as much English as us.
SA isn't on the list of exempt countries so even if you were raised to speak nothing but English, as are some of his colleagues, they would still have to take the test.

So the reason being for my question is because I would like to bring this to the attention of whomever has the power to put exemptions in place. The answer was blatantly obvious to me but I wanted to make sure before I put pen to paper. Thanks again.

Carly84

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

...pardon...........

My point exactly....

Andy_L

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

...pardon...........

That's a bit non-U, you wont get a commission with that sort of style :-)

Andy_L

Can he just not take the exam rather than do the course? Has he tried speaking to his education centre, they may be able to help.