Comments on: Dutch introduce controversial immigration test

By: Mathemagenic

Mathemagenic — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 12:55:57 +0000

Worldmapper, immigration exam and cultural awareness…

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By: neville

neville — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 22:04:22 +0000

Language can be an issue, Dennis. I’ve lived here in Amsterdam for 6 years and I still speak little Dutch (een beetje, as I usually say). The trouble is for me, everyone insists on speaking to me in English. Makes practicing tricky!

I do speak Spanish fluently, though (so maybe I ought to head to your neck of the woods instead…).

As for expat Brits (such as you and I and, I think, coder), we’re historically among the worst at embracing ‘foreign languages’ although I think the Americans might have grabbed that crown now.

By: Dennnis Howlett

Dennnis Howlett — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:19:28 +0000

I am 100% with you on this Nevile. Isn’t it reasonable to expect someone who is going to another country to at least have a passing knowledge of the coutnry concerned?

It amazes me the number of ex-pat Brits who pitch up at Alicante airport and park their brains in the parking lot. It might account for the 52% who are reported to return to their country of origin within a year of arriving in Spain.

When we moved to France, we planned it for 18 months before making the final move. and when we got there made it our business ot learn the language. Which is a good reason for not coming to the Netherlands (IMO).

By: neville

neville — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 12:21:39 +0000

No doubt the movie will be up on YouTube before long, coder. At least the ‘naughty bits.’

Hilarious? I’m sure anyone who has to cough up the €350 and take the exam won’t find it so.

I actually don’t find the concept of such a test strange (or hilarious). If you’re going to move to another country and live there, it makes sense to at least have a clue about the place you’re going to. Now you’re going to be tested.

While not on the scale of what the Dutch are now doing, other countries have some form of testing. The US does, for instance, if you want to move there. And in Europe, the UK and Germany are planning things.

Sign of the times.

By: coder.keitaro

coder.keitaro — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 11:58:52 +0000

This is hilarious.

I must get a copy of that DVD.

Plus, considering the ‘christian’ attitudes of some Americans I find it strange they are excluded from this requirement.

Whenever a member of the US congress is here they are always decrying how decriminalisation of drugs and prostitution is really bad.

Even though the crime rate in the Netherlands is insignificant compared to the US.