Cameron - friend of Muslim women?

Ah, I see, disliking deliberate misunderstandings is not acknowledging the political nuances. Nothing to do with it not being a simple issue then an finding it irritating when people try to reduce it to that? Hey ho.

We should be proud of an English education system that has enabled an 8 year old to produce a letter like that all by herself.
She is on the path to becoming a Professor of English - or at the very least, give her a few years, and she can be put in charge of DC's proposed scheme and be the link between those Muslim women who do not speak English and larger society.

Reducing it to 'Cameron = bad' is ok though

Just as some of us find it hard thatbags to comprehend why you don't acknowledge the political nuances here. Reducing it to a simple question of ESOL classes = good/bad is missing the point.

Hear hear Thatbags!

Cameron wasn't talking about the kind of Muslim woman that child's mother is, as anyone who has actually taken the trouble to look at his proposal will know, whether they like the proposal or not.

This notion ⏫ is not difficult to comprehend so I fond it quite astonishing that so many people persist in not comprehending it. I'm beginning to think that the wrong interpretations are just pure obstinacy. You don't have to like David Cameron or his tint of politics to understand what he said and what the proposal is for.

There's no way an 8 year old child wrote that letter on her own. The language is not that of an 8 year old. I think she's been used by someone else to make a point. I have no doubt she agrees with what she's written, but the words are not her own and she was probably prompted about what she should say. Someone should be ashamed.

Well, her parents should be doing that, shouldn't they?
Especially as her her mother has an English degree and they sound like an educated family

www.independent.co.uk/voices/this-letter-from-an-eight-year-old-muslim-girl-sums-up-everything-that-is-wrong-with-cameron-s-a6832516.html

Tell this girl it's a storm in a teacup.

It's a classic case of a storm in a teacup.

Good point Petra

What a shame they don't put their energies into helping their less enlightened sisters.

Just had a look at that hashtag.

He wasn't, of course, talking about all Muslim women, nor even most Muslim women, so I don't know what they're getting their knickers in a twist for as if he had been.

He was saying there is a language problem for some–a minority of–Muslim women. So far so true.

Has anyone seen this on Twitter: # Traditionally Submissive.
It seems the educated Muslim women are not amused at Dave's idea.
If you can bear to look, it's in the DM.

This is an interesting - and frightening - article.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jan/24/syrian-refugees-asylum-seekers-racism-uk

Can but try. I've been in similar houses in the past in a work capacity. I think it helps because I'm a middle aged woman. I've noticed though, and please don't jump down my throat its an honest observation, that some women employed by various charities /vol orgs can look very off-putting. Eg brightly dyed hair , tattoos and piercing and somewhat unconventional clothing. Yes I'm being judgemental but it risks their not being taken seriously and reduces their likelihood of acceptance by very traditional families.

But will you or whoever be allowed in?

I used to go into women's houses to teach them to read and write. No need for them to go out of the house.

Jane10 have a look at your local Gumtree for people looking for a language exchange.

It's certainly a challenge Ana.

It does sound ideal. However, I'm still not convinced that really isolated women would be allowed by their menfolk to even apply for English lessons, let alone go out of the house with a comparative stranger.

Sounds an interesting and practical approach Wilma! I'd volunteer to do something like that.

It's possible classes will not be the way these women will be taught. They might adopt a language exchange approach, where the woman spends time with an English speaker. This goes on all the time on a voluntary basis. That can help with learning in situ e.g. going shopping together. It's an interesting project because the providers will need to think out of the box to reach and engage their students.

Properly trained TEFL shouldn't have a problem beginning to teach someone with no English. However, I suspect that even women who ven't picked up very much English, even though living here for quite a while in some cases, they will know a few words and expressions.

Nothing to do with this thread but.....I find all sorts of things necessary that Mr R finds quite unnecessary (cake and perfume being just two of them.)
So, what one person finds unnecessary, another finds the opposite.?

Jalima it depends on how they are employed. If they are picking up classes by the hour they will cost a lot. If they are employed like any other council employee, then that's cheaper. One potential difficulty will be the possibility that the women the money is aimed at won't speak any English. It's more common for students to have poor English and looking to improve.