English classes are being cut

doi:10.1136/bmj.39143.031296.1F

BMJ 2007;334:490 (10 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.39143.031296.1F

Letters

Translation services

English classes are being cut

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Cutting translation services could be seen as "tough love" tohelp non-English speakers help themselves.¹ In my experienceof working as a general practitioner and as a psychiatrist withasylum seekers, they are usually very keen to learn English,and the rate at which they, especially children, pick it upis often amazing. English classes are also an invaluable formof occupational therapy for those feeling depressed, traumatised,and isolated. When someone doesn't learn English, there is usuallya reason.

Government policy is increasing the cost of interpreting. Interpretershistorically often came from asylum seeker communities, butwhen the Home Office stopped asylum seekers working, this sourcedried up. I have often had to use the far more expensive telephoneinterpreting service because there has been no face to faceinterpreter. Now the government is planning to cut English teachingentitlement to asylum seekers aged over 19, limiting their opportunities. . . [Full text of this article]

Philip R Matthews, staff grade psychiatrist

Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6BE

prmatthews@doctors.org.uk