Free English lessons for Muslim women: good news or bad news?

Yesterday David Cameron promised to spend £20 million on English classes for Muslim women. Excellent news! Or is it? Many people are angry about this, including lots of Muslim women. Why? In today's blog I will tell you what people are saying about this announcement, and I'll explain what they mean.

"If Cameron wants migrants to learn English, why did he cut ESOL funding?" said Jon Ashworth, MP for the Labour Party.

£20 million may seem like a lot of money. But just a few months ago Cameron's Conservative government cut spending on ESOL by £45 million. There were also cuts in 2011 (by the Conservative government) and 2007 (by the Labour government.)

Free ESOL lessons have become more and more difficult to find. Why do you think I now teach English privately? It's because there are so few jobs teaching ESOL in colleges these days. All migrants need to learn English, but only the rich ones can afford to.

“It should be directed at all communities, not just Muslims"

said Shaista Gohir, from the Muslim Women’s Network. Is it fair that only Muslim females should get free English classes? Many people are angry about this. In 2014 I was teaching basic English to 14 unemployed Europeans. Their lessons were free, but that all changed in September 2015. I sometimes think about those people and I wonder what they're doing now. One of them was a Muslim. Now it looks like she's the lucky one.

Why has Cameron chosen to help just Muslim women? One reason that he gives is "to help people become more resilient against the messages of Daesh." He thinks that if Muslim women learn English, they can join in better with British society. If they feel more British, they and their children are less likely to become terrorists.

But this explanation is getting a LOT of criticism. British Muslims want everyone to understand that most Muslims hate Daesh. They get angry when people assume that the Muslim community is to blame for terrorism. A politician called Baroness Warsi has said that David Cameron is "stereotyping British Muslim communities," because spending this £20 million on Muslims is a bit like saying that Muslims are the problem. The surprising thing is that Baroness Warsi is on the same side as Cameron - she was the first ever Muslim woman to work in David Cameron's cabinet.

Personally, I'm glad that the government is spending this money on English lessons, because it is better than nothing. But I've noticed that Cameron is giving with one hand and taking away with the other.

He made not one but two announcemnts yesterday about English learners. £20 million is such big news that most people didn't notice the other announcement. He said that people on a spouse visa will have to do an extra English test, so that they can stay in the country. They will do this test after two and a half years here, and if they fail they may have to leave the UK. If this applies to you, click here for more information.

Glossary

Migrants - people who have moved to this country from abroad

I wonder - I ask myself

resilient - strong, resistent, not vulnerable

Daesh - Islamic State/ IS/ ISIS

less likely - not so probable, a lower chance

cabinet - a group of the most important politicians in government. Chosen by the prime Minister.

taking away - removing. The opposite of giving.

#Britishnews